And the prize goes to…hippies—all hippies, “for the exuberant use of color as a playful aspect in human society, making a real contribution to the integration of color and space.” In a genius, conceptual move, the forward-thinking Dutch Sikkens Foundation awarded its 1970 namesake prize to no-one in particular but rather to a mentality, to the spirit of open-minded inquisitiveness.

Willem Sandberg (1897-1984), one of my favorite graphic designers — who also happened to be the director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam — was apparently even more forward-thinking than the Sikkens Foundation.
His beautiful design for a poster (creatively completely in sync with the spirit of that year’s award) was deemed unacceptable and never used, which prompted Sandberg to resign from the Sikkens board. I think they should still print it, if only to redeem themselves. When Sandberg designs something for you, you don’t turn it down. At least they have a little thumbnail of the image on their site now.

Previously, the paint and varnish manufacturer awarded, amongst others, Rietveld (in 1959), van Itten (in 1965) and Judd (in 1993) for the way they integrate color into their work, so it makes total sense that thirty-seven years later, Dutch artist Krijn de Koning wins it. In recognition of his art “in which color and form, as well as feeling and atmosphere evoke a sensory experience of space