Hugo Puttaert

U houdt een catalogus in de hand. Dat is logisch want een catalogus hoort bij een tentoonstelling

Gilles Fiszman: the power of nuance.

This essay was written for 'Off the grid, Histories of Belgian graphic design' edited by Sara De…

Logo’s, toegepast als wapenschild van brand en corporate identity, hebben hun nut zeker al bewezen. Maar of dat ook het geval is met nieuwe logo’s voor ‘gevestigde’ merken?

A new logo doesn't make spring.

This essay was written for Addmagazine issue 10 and was published in 2011. Language: Dutch &…

Brody, visibly embarrassed, began to shift back and forth in his chair, and then – with a jaundiced smile – clasped his hands around the speaker’s neck. He did not strangle him, however.

Luk Mestdagh: an amiable troublemaker.

This essay was written for 'Off the grid, Histories of Belgian graphic design' edited by Sara De…

A smiling, grey-haired man stood in the doorway of a stately townhouse in Haut-Ittre, Belgium. Inside, the warmth of the interior welcomed us with restrained anticipation.

Michel Olyff: image as effigy.

This essay was written for 'Off the grid, Histories of Belgian graphic design' edited by Sara De…

There is no alternative. In other words: vote, shut up and endure.

Between creativity and criminality.

The manifesto announcing the Integrated2017 international art & design conference. Written by…

Radical Imagination thus shows the real power of creativity, i.e. the ability to create a new world and to depict an alternative world view.

Radical imagination.

The manifesto announcing the Integrated2019 international art & design conference. Written by…

That wouldn’t be kosher, and that’s how my former colleague and I keep well out of range.

Kaleidoscopically irregular.

A critical essay about the increasing international influence of Belgian graphic design. Published…

Even though I can admire such a trait to a certain extent, I do cherish humbleness more than ever as I grow older. And to be honest, I’m really fine with that.

The Word – interview

Written by Emi Vergels, published on november 14, 2017 in Art / Curator talks, © The Word magazine.…

The American designer Paul Sahre concluded his spirited presentation at Integrated2011 with a pretty wittyremark: "Design whatever you want!".

The fluidity in-between.

The manifesto announcing the Integrated2011 international art & design conference. Published…

I remember buying a poster from the Irish artist Les Levine, showing George Bush senior holding his hand up, shouting: “No new artists!” Was this supposed to portray Bush’s ultimate attempt to stop artistic activism, or his final endeavour to dictate other people’s minds?

Let’s get rid of all dictates.

The manifesto announcing the Integrated2011 international art & design conference. Published…

The concept is that there is no concept.

NeonMoiré – interview

Written by Thomas Dahm, published on Saturday October 28, 2017 by © NeonMoiré. Photo by © Tijs…

People will often agree to disagree, but when the topic is ‘esthetics’ and ‘taste’ the gloves come off.

Le paysage est magnifique!

Critical essay commissioned by Design Flanders & published in Kwintessens issue 2009-4.…

Via a strange video directed by Tony Oursler, Bowie predicted something that would happen three years later, that is, his death.

Where are we now?

Foreword for the master book of the St. Lucas School of Fine Arts, Antwerp. Language: English &…

You are not sure who the sender might be. Some obscure new organisation? You take a closer look.

Damned pitches.

Critical essay on that damned plague of pitches. Published online. Language: English.

Zoals die ene song die zich – op een veel te vroege ochtend van een veel te grijze dag – vrolijk een weg baant doorheen je brein om je de hele dag gezelschap te houden.

Rob Marcelis. A (typo)graphic potpourri, but…

Interview with and article about Rob Marcelis, graphic designer. Published in Addmagazine, issue…

Nooit heb ik hem ontmoet: Lucien De Roeck. Het leek steeds alsof ie net vertrokken was, zijn schaduw – of zal ik zeggen zijn 'aura' – achterlatend.

Lucien De Roeck. A monument that did not want to be.

Contribution, commissioned by publisher Racine for the book 'Lucien De Roeck. De l'Affiche à la…

Zoals elk ‘gewetensvol’ grafisch ontwerper ben ik geabonneerd op diverse typografische e-mail newsletters. Kwestie van ‘de vinger aan de typografische pols te houden’.

Rod McDonald. Don't say 'slap' to a 'slab'.

Article about the work of the Canadian typedesigner Rod McDonald. Published in Addmagazine, issue…

Een typografisch walhalla midden in een eerder pompeus winkelcentrum. Dat kan alleen maar ergens in België zijn, wellicht in Wijnegem shopping center?

Stéphane de Schrevel. GOSOGZ!

Interview with and article about Stéphane de Schrevel, type & book designer. Published in…

Ook Turbotrekker is er bij. Hij verbergt met zijn immense ronde tronie een zekere Samantha Wormendorst, een frivole graatmagere vrouw – anders dan haar naam zou doen vermoeden – met een missie.

Wesley Wolkman. The search for WW!

Incredible nonsense about an incredible collective. Published in Addmagazine issue 9/2010.…

Zijn niet driekwart van de muzikanten grafisch ontwerper of omgekeerd?

Gert Dooreman, Herman Houbrechts, Tom Hautekiet.

Article about the work of Gert Dooreman, Herman Houbrechts and Tom Hautekiet. Published in…

Geef toe, dit beest heb je op je dagelijkse avondwandeling wellicht nog niet gezien.

Pictoplasma. An owl with balls!

A short review on the work of the Berlin based collective Pictoplasma. Published in Addmagazine…

Laten we hier meteen komaf maken met de fabel dat ontwerpers en kunstenaars beter niet zouden praten.

Shapeshifters. Shaping voices.

Article about 'Shaping Voices', interviews with contemporary artists & graphic designers.…

Waar is nu – godbetert – dat jong talent gebleven?

Wanted: Iconoclasts (M/F) revisited.

What in the heck happened to all that young up-and-coming talent? Published, as chairman of the…

Do you charge by the inch?

Jo De Smedt. Comic Jo.

Foreword catalogue Jo De Smedt, artist represented by Gallery De Ziener (2009). Language: Dutch.

‘Design’ is haast een ‘bevel’ geworden. Wee diegene die geen design in huis heeft!

L'inspiration n'est pas un privilège.

Lecture at the proclamation ceremony, Masters Sint Lucas Antwerp (2009). Language: Dutch.

Want lelijkheid inspireert en drijft ons tot esthetiek. Maar ook het omgekeerde is waar. In die zin: absolute esthetiek heeft ook iets controversieels.

L'inspiration se trouve partout.

Critical essay on the position of the designer and his client in the current cultural environment.…

Ik denk plots – terwijl de ober mij weer aantikt – aan een oude collega die steevast ‘saaie Zwitsers’ tegen zijn studenten placht te zeggen, als hij hun werk weer eens inspiratieloos vond.