Anri Sala Wins Prestigious Dutch Contemporary Art Award

Albanian-born Paris-based video installation artist Anri Sala is the winner of this year’s prestigious Vincent award. Launched in 2000, the biennial award is intended to honor mid-career artists who have had a significant influence on European art.

Sala was announced as the winner of €50,000 ($62,000) on Friday at a ceremony at the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague (Netherlands), which is hosting an exhibition of works by all award finalists, through February 1, 2015.

Included in the exhibition are works created especially for the occasion by all five shortlisted artists: Pierre Huyghe (France), Manfred Pernice (Germany), Willem de Rooij (Netherlands), Gillian Wearing (United Kingdom), and Sala.

Known for his elaborate video installations encompassing divergent images on multiple screens that contribute to a cohesive, thematic whole, Sala, 40, has already established a formidable international reputation. He has numerous international solo gallery and museum shows under his belt, including exhibitions at Chantal Crousel in Paris, Hauser & Wirth elsewhere in Europe, and at Marian Goodman in the US. In 2013 he represented France at the Venice Bienniale.

His award-winning installation in The Hague featuring the films Le Clash (2010) and Tlatelolco Clash (2011) encompasses three screens, with two showing images shot in Mexico, in the vicinity of the Plaza of Three Cultures in Tlatelolco in Mexico City. The Clash’s 1981 song “Should I Stay or Should I Go” is the tune common to both films.


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