Genealogy of the Disappeared, with its supplement, Répétition

Text, printed on old paper, made in two booklets

2025

Genealogy of the Disappeared is a writing piece mirroring my research and my artistic development from 2023 to 2025.

Abstract: In the context of the culture of information media where fact has become increasingly imperceivable, as well as the traditional and contemporary artistic creations regarding absence and uprootedness, I begin in-depth dialogues with several textual resources, mainly Tears and Saints by E. M. Cioran, The Ontology of Performance by Peggy Phelan and “…That Dangerous Supplement…” by Jaques Derrida, and several artists and their art works. Through these dialogues, I gradually unfold "the paradox of the supplement," revealing the paradoxical essence of presence and absence, and interpret my project with the theme of disappearance, by contemplating the paradox and seeking its reconciliation.

In the supplement, Répétition, I weave together different personal experiences to tell the story of why and how I adopted my pseudonym “Ritau van Koudewater,” interpreting my concept of repetition/rehearsal that has guided the development of my practice, and thence conclude this project.