Wat Ik Mijzelf Graag Voorhoud

2014 | Essay | Self-published, physical print and digital | Cover design by: Roel van Eekelen

Drawing from my experiences during a working period at the project space Achter de Barakken, this essay examines the concept of authenticity—its historical origins, its connection to artistic practice, and its influence on my own creative work.

At its core, the essay argues that the pursuit of authenticity is inherently paradoxical. The act of attempting to be authentic inevitably leads to inauthenticity. I argue that this is because authenticity cannot be consciously achieved or possessed. The very effort to strive for, long for, or perform authenticity results in artificiality, as the pursuit itself undermines the spontaneous, genuineness and purity that authenticity entails.

This tension serves as the foundation of this essay, encouraging a deeper reflection on how authenticity both shapes and challenges the creative process. It also raises critical questions about how, as an artist, I can navigate this elusive concept within my own practice.