Since his graduation in 2006 Boris van Hoof works as a video artist, photographer and filmmaker. He is co-founder of the international artist collective Authentic Boys. With their work they connect film and video with physical acts and performance. Although the form of their work varies often ( performance, film, installation, photography) they start mostly from the same point of interest: The confrontation of the individual with his environment. How do basic human desires manifest themselves in a world of pre-cooked experiences? The group works have been shown internationally in art spaces and on film, media and theatre festivals. Authentic Boys have been awarded several times. The group is woking currently on their new solo exhibition Happyland: The tourist is a modern pilgrim, seeking after the missing links of his existence. For every need, fantasy or dream of contemporary man, a touristic outlet is available. In the musical video installation Happyland, three man are crossing promising recreational landscapes and touristic infrastructure.

Boris van Hoof en het kunstenaars collectief: Authentic Boys

The international collective The Authentic Boys was founded in Altay (Siberia) in 2007 and consists of Johannes Dullin (D), Boris van Hoof (NL), Gregory Stauffer (CH) and Aaike Stuart (NL). Since then, the four regularly work together on audiovisual productions. Authentic is a term that from the beginning served as a common means to view the world around them. Commonly one associates authenticity with realness, genuineness or credibility. However in our daily lives we are constantly confronted with powers from outside who in different ways become examples for us. We are moving ourselves in artificially created environments, adapt gestures and clothing styles and conform our behavior to certain standards. What does authenticity mean and what are its expressions in an environment that so strongly influences us?

The Authentic Boys work in places that represent spirit of the time, civilization or progress and by means of their infrastructural or stylistic perfection have a tremendous amount of appeal on modern day humanity. In that category, for example, fit gas stations, shopping malls, traffic isles, campsites and bungalow-parks. For the Authentic Boys these are the platforms on which contemporary communication processes and lifestyles in their most unvarnished form are becoming visible. They resort to these places not as hidden spectators, but as actors who in a decent yet self-willed way get in contact with them, use them and put in an accent or a counterbalance.With their work the Authentic boys connect film and video art with physical acts and performance.

The group’s works have been shown internationally in art spaces and on film, media and theatre festivals. Authentic Boys have been awarded several times. The group is woking currently on their new solo exhibition ‘Happyland’: The tourist is a modern pilgrim, seeking after the missing links of his existence. For every need, fantasy or dream of contemporary man, a touristic outlet is available. In the musical video installation Happyland, three man are crossing promising recreational landscapes and touristic infrastructure.

For more info about the Boys: www.authentic-boys.com