Report on the award ceremony 2023

In her welcome speech, director Marie Jeanne de Rooij reminds the attendees that the Piket Art Awards are being presented for the tenth time this year. She also draws attention to two new developments. The winners, as every year, will receive the cash prize of 8,000 euros, but starting this milestone year, the other nominees will also receive financial support: each will get 2,000 euros. Furthermore, the 'tangible' award will now be a permanent fixture; from this year onward, winners and nominees will receive the Hammer annually, designed and created by artist Joep van Lieshout. A symbolic tool with which, according to director De Rooij, “you can break and build.” She thanks everyone who has contributed to the Piket Art Awards this year, especially the jury members who have once again managed to select from the wealth of talent in The Hague.

The two presenters for the evening, Jos Nargy (winner in the Theater category in 2018) and Patsy Kroonenberg (“I’ve never won an award”), are also from The Hague. Jos, dressed in a theatrical princess dress, and Patsy, neatly in a dark suit, are ready to make it a great evening: “Tonight, we give you joie de vivre. We are the chocolatiers, the patissiers, and the artists of the night are the cherry on top.” Jos quickly begins with the poem Yes by Simon Vinkenoog, inviting everyone to say ‘yes’ to everything that inspires, motivates, excites, and challenges. Chairman Taco Hovius gives a short word on behalf of the board of the Mr. F.H. Piket Foundation: “We, as the board, are the foundation of the cake.” He talks about Frederik Hendrik Piket’s life and the creation of the award, also emphasizing the connection to The Hague: “Piket’s entire working life took place in The Hague.”

The moment has now arrived to announce the first winner. After showing the profile videos of the nominees in the Theater category, jury members Ellen Goemans and John de Weerd, along with the nominees, are invited to come forward. Asked to comment on the nominations, De Weerd says: “Finn Borath and Boris de Klerk make theater without actors and without language, but with a story. That’s unusual and innovative, and therefore a risk for many theater programmers. But what Boris and Finn do is something that deserves encouragement. Ensemble Nieuwe Theaterwerkers is a democratic collective that has quickly become a crucial link between the industry and theater students.” Goemans describes David Westera, the third nominee, as “a delightful comic talent with a great sense of language, incredibly funny.” When De Weerd announces that Finn and Boris have won the award, the two winners spontaneously embrace each other. Boris expresses his thanks for the help they received from The Hague’s theater Zaal 3, which supported them and Finn through a residency. The winners also thank “Danny from Sequence Technologies, from whom we can rent lights cheaply, and our mothers.”

The three nominees in the Painting category, Kamila Sipika, Menno Pasveer, and Katarina Head, each brought a painting. Presenter Jos Nargy ensures they are placed on the three easels set up on stage in a lively manner. After the profile videos are shown, the nominees and jury member Joncquil de Vries are invited to come forward. De Vries’ co-jury member, Lea van der Vinde, unfortunately cannot be present tonight. “Art is about subjectivity,” says De Vries, looking at the three very different artworks on the easels. “With this year’s nominees, we find both the universal and the individual.” Winner Katarina Head is visibly overwhelmed: “The prize will really help me advance in my work. Many thanks to the Piket team, to the people who made all of this possible.”

As an introduction to the announcement of the Piket Jury Prize winner, presenter Patsy reads a bit about someone who might be “a considerable genius” … or perhaps not. The winner of the Jury Prize is certainly clear, and it’s up to jury members John de Weerd and Ellen Goemans to announce his name: writer, director, and teacher Marcel Roijaards. Goemans quotes the jury report: “Marcel is an engaged and passionate person who is emotionally involved with his profession, his students, and his work in a soft, intense way. A big mouth, but always modest and loving. It’s good to shine a light on Marcel because he truly deserves it! Quietly and in the background, he has been immensely important to an entire generation of young, Hague-based creators who all speak highly of him.” Roijaards: “I’m grateful and proud, especially because this is an award for work in the shadows. I’m grateful to be able to raise an opposing voice against the measurable and the useful. I advocate for qualitative cultural education for children and young people.” Regarding the recent election period: “I rarely hear the topic of ‘culture’ mentioned, let alone ‘cultural education.’ Thanks to the Piket Awards for giving it attention.” The jury prize is primarily an honorary award, with no cash prize attached – Roijaards receives the award and the jury report.

When all the nominees in the Dance category are on stage, including the entire delegation of the breakdance crew Heavy Hitters, the presenters ask jury members Amos Ben-Tal and Erik Kaiel whether they also dance: “Or are you injured?” Well, if you want to call getting older a ‘injury’ … So, let’s quickly move on to an explanation of the nominations. Both jury members were pleased that there was so little information available about Justin Brown on the internet. Kaiel: “He doesn’t waste his time posting things.” They were impressed by the boundary-pushing nature of the Heavy Hitters, their willingness to grow and develop. “And,” says Ben-Tal, “breakdance is becoming increasingly embraced. The Hague is a bit behind in that regard.” About Sophie Whittome from NDT 1, Kaiel says simply but meaningfully: “Still waters run deep.” Naturally, there’s a loud cheer when the Heavy Hitters hear that they have won in their category. Ton Steenvoorden from the Haags Hiphop Centrum is proud of his “gang of misfits.” He thanks, among others, dancer Lea Ved from NDT 1, with whom the Heavy Hitters – Tim Kromhout, Jason Pereira, Diego Nogueira, Toby Tanate, Bonne van Brucken Fock, and Zeph van der Beek – made the performance Common Enemy: “Beautiful lady, you’re also a Heavy Hitter now.” Winning involves a victory dance, and the aforementioned Heavy Hitters do it in style. The audience is also treated to the skills of Heavy Hitter India Sardjoe (world champion in 2022 and nominated for the Piket Awards that same year), as well as those of the new Dutch breakdance champion under 16: the youngest Heavy Hitter, whose real name is Benjamin.

The music for the unexpected performance by the Heavy Hitters (Victory Dance by Ezra Collective) lifts everyone’s spirits; it’s time for a drink. Director Marie Jeanne de Rooij closes the ceremony with a thank you to all those involved and a plant for the nominees: “A plant, not flowers, because plants need to be watered, and that suits this award.” While the technical team is cleaning up, three paintings on easels stare at the rows of empty chairs for a while. Then they are collected and returned to their creators in the cozy foyer.

Photo: Dana LaMonda