Brief aan A. van der Boom Possibly 1935

This is a letter written by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, dated May 19, 1935. The materials are simple: paper and ink. The process is straightforward: handwriting. Yet, this belies the real story here, which involves a network of intellectual exchange. Holst uses ink to inscribe his thoughts, forming a direct link between mind and matter. But letters like this one rely on postal networks, a system of social and physical infrastructure which facilitates the circulation of ideas and maintaining relationships across distance. Looking closely, one sees the evidence of Holst’s thinking—scratches, corrections, afterthoughts. The letter reflects his skill in using the written word as a tool of communication. Yet, it also hints at the wider systems of labor and exchange necessary for such communications to occur. Ultimately, this letter reminds us that even the most personal forms of expression are embedded in wider material and social contexts. It challenges us to consider the intricate connections between creative practice and society.