2017
The exhibition Balance by Struggle examined the complex relationship between two of De Stijl’s most influential figures—Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian—by delving into the core of their artistic disagreement: formality versus informality, a central tension experienced by artists across movements and generations.
On view at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag on 16 and 17 September 2017, the exhibition offered a fresh perspective on the internal conflicts and evolving mindset of the De Stijl movement. Through a curated selection of works by both contemporary and 20th-century artists, the project encouraged visitors to engage with De Stijl on a deeper, more reflective level—moving beyond the purely visual toward a more conscious, critical experience. It sought to challenge the risk of overusing and flattening De Stijl’s legacy by reframing its principles through a modern lens.
Visitors were invited to explore the ideological transmissions between Mondrian and van Doesburg, reflected in a range of artistic responses. The exhibition featured archival materials, audio-visual installations, a virtual reality experience simulating the perspective of a canvas facing Jackson Pollock, and a participatory artwork by Jeff Koons.
Opening Event:
Saturday, 16 September 2017, 11:30–12:30
Featured Performance:
Jeff Koons Performance – Saturday & Sunday: 10:30–13:00, 14:00–16:30
Curated by:
Yeon Sung, Mariam Darchiashvili (Komnen), Dominika Fojtikova
Project Mentors:
Niels Schrader, Els Kuijpers, Bas van Beek, Adriaan Mellegers
‘Balance by Struggle’ was a collaborative project between the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague.
Photo credits: Daniela Roșca, Katarina Juričić