Gould's 3D List

Gould's 3D List: #6

2012-01-20T15:30:00.002+01:00

Gould's 3D List: #6

And a HAAAAAAAAAPY New Year..This is certainly one year when the wish for success is most sincere. A few galleries have announced their closing and that isn't good. Others have moved or are moving to smaller spaces. It is a time for survival. An, unfortunately, the artist is not only seeing a big downsizing of their market, but also declining opportunities for alternative part time or full time employment in other areas. Well, that should lead to more production if only to give them something to do...But, who is going to pay for the materials? The announced subsidy cut backs are still on the books; art foundations and other related groups are all knocking on the same doors begging for private support. But through all the grimness there are a few bright spots; a few galleries have had very successful shows. The serious collector is always there. The economic downturns affect the new collectors and those that see art as a pastime. 3D has seen one trend and that is prices are going down for works of art. And where I see "cheap" prices I see red dots. I shall continue to encourage the art loving public to BUY, BUY, BUY. Who knows? Some of you may get the message.

INDEX:

Art Fair Review: REALISME 12 @ Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (19th to 22nd January)

Bits & Pieces:

What You Have Missed:

ART FAIR REVIEW:

The press release for Realisme 12 prints it thus: REAL IS ME 12. Cute, but not really relevant. Art realism---or representational art---is alive and well and on show at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam building (Piet Heinkade 27).

One hears complaints, from time to time, uttered by the general art interested public that avant garde art has forgot what art is all about. Well, this is not the time nor place to have that discussion. But what neither side may understand or refuses to acknowledge, there is avant garde realism. You can see this visually, for your self, on entering the exhibition area and in the first row of galleries. Lieve Hemel has its stable of artists on view and they range from hyper-realism (almost like looking at a photograph) to impressionistic and surreal realism. And some of these artist can be classified as avant garde. But it becomes even more prevalent at the booth next to Lieve Hemel... Albus Lux (Roosendaal) shows stunning avant garde photography by Liesje Reyskens. Great colors, much humor and all with a conceptual edge...Directly across the aisle is Galerie Lilya Zakirova (Huesden aan de Maas) exhibiting mixed media paintings by Natalya Zaloznaya that lovers of realism would question as being "realistic." Doesn't matter, because the works are visually exciting...And that's what art is all about!

Galerie Bianca Landgraff (Laren) shows Woutetr Stips whose style even lovers of COBRA will appreciate. Then there is Peter Hiemstra's strange animal-like objects...Contemp Galerie exhibits "motion realism" paintings by Jan Ros which a truly avant garde...Jos Art (Amsterdam) hangs Jef Gysen who paints figurative-like works that recall to mind the Impressionist turned Expressionist. Confused? Hey, it's avant garde "realism."...And what to make of the litho/acrylic painting by Maayke Schuiteme? at Galerie Pien Rademakers (Amsterdam).

Wait 'til you see Allan Forsyth's "Nova" at ARE ITLED (Herpen). Nothing about it is realistic accept the original source of the imagery which was a landscape photograph. What you will see is an explosive expressionistic rainbow of colors that looks like neon. Great!...Don't miss the nearly ten meter high "figurative sculpture" sitting on an ironing board at Kunstruimte Wagemans (Beetsterzwaag) that has "dreadlocks" made from spoils of colored thread. And wait 'til you see the sky paintings of Daan de Jony. Thirteen docile to angry skyscapes with a variety of cloud covered skies that set a mood...Witzenhausen Gallery (Amsterdam) outdoes realism with the 3D photography of Jeff Ross (UK). The dancing lady seems to leap out at you and, well, really does, sort of.

Art Kitchen (Amsterdam) shows a large selection of artist that's style can best be described as "conceptual realism." "Performing" for your pleasure is a dancing robot and it is "naked;" the title, "Fallen Angel." Julia Winters (Russia) presents "conceptual portraits" that are all eyes and in two dimensions. They make you dizzy! That is, there are two portraits superimposed on the other with about three cms., depth between each plate of glass. Added embellishment, like chess pieces, add to the mystery. "The Flower of Evil,"by Alexander Schebracq is an iconic 3D glass flower that projects from the wall like a sunburst. Dramatic! (3D asked Schebracq if the city of Amsterdam intended to replace the light stands that graced the Rokin before the construction of the North South Line began? He said he didn't know, but suspected that they would not do so. You can still see his set of light stands along the Damrak. Great work that stands out from all the garish neon.).

And there are unexpected surprises! At "GALERIE bart" (Amsterdam) shows the work of Sierk van Meeuwen who recreates the 17th century world of Vermeer, for one, with 21st century avant garde realism. One painting features three "Playboy-like"bunnies surrounding a young man---the artist---who sits in a Hugh Hefner-like pose. Cool!...At Morren Galerie is a large paintings by Theo Mackaay that reflects the styles of Picasso, Modigliani and Klimt combined; and it works! Check out Scott Bartner's exceptional realistic portraits of women...But if you want your realism really realistic, don't miss Galerie Petit (Amsterdam), on the upper level of the PTO. Work by Siemen Dijkstra's woodcuts of fields and beaches; Stef Verbraeken's views of Amsterdam; Ton de Laat's incredible watercolors of envelopes with colorful postage stamps; and the tree etchings of Reinder Homan.

There is a large room which feature 18 photographers that competed in the Pride Photo contest. You get a look at the gay "scene" from several different directions: the social, erotic, the political and even the domestic.

So, if you think realism means only a pretty picture, well it is time for you to educate yourself. If you like art like an average person, 3D guarantees you will find something at REAL IS ME 12 that will make you opened your pocket book.

Until 22nd January (Sunday). Entry: 12 euro, Pas 65, CJP 8.00 euro. Parking available + plus a Tram stop.
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BITS & PIECES:

Here is something that sounds very special; and it is scheduled for Sunday (22nd Jan) beginning at 15:00 and continuing into the early evening. Leine Roebana is a modern dance company that has had its performances praised by the Dutch media. But, like many other cultural initiatives, that makes this city so great, subsidy cuts are threatening their very existence. They are trying to do something more than just complain. To raise money, Dancers and musicians will perform in uniquely designed rooms of the Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Center: "You will be dazzled by high quality dancers, musicians and singers in a totally different ambiance from the theatre." There will be 10 "intimate presentations." Also, "a wonderful dinner will be served [and] you will be treated to live dance and music as well." (special dietary menus on request.)

This is a great idea for a fund raising event. A remarkable program with the outstanding and imaginative kitchen of the Lloyds Hotel adding to it all. The donation is 150 euro/person. For registration and more info: call Annemiek Kloek at (020) 48.93.820 or e-mail: getclose@leineroebana.com. Get the full program at: www.leineroabana.com. It will list the top Dutch talent you can expect to see and hear in a very intimate surrounding.
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Another fund raiser gets off to a grand start at RudolfV (Kerkstrat 427) tonight, at 19:00, and with music. "Eindeexpositie voor de Kunstenaar" is a Crownfund Project. There are two days for viewing (21st and 22nd Jan) and on Sunday (22nd), at 15:00, there is an auction of the work. For more info: www.voordekunstenaar.nl.
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According to the Dutch media, ArtAmsterdam---held yearly at the RAI, during May---is looking for a smaller and cheaper space. A reason given for the downsizing is that some of the attending galleries have complained that there are too many galleries and not all up to their snobbish standards. ArtAmsterdam is a franchise that is owned by the RAI, so it comes as a surprise that they are no longer interested in continuing their direct participation. A few years back, The Affordable Art Fair (London)----that sponsors two yearly shows at Westergasfabriek; as well as six or so other international sites---offered to by the concession, but the RAI said, at the time, it wasn't interested. Their new position, one would assume, is that the RAI's decision has had to do with subsidy cuts which helped support ArtAmsterdam.
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...More proof that the cuts in cultural subsidies is hurting the Dutch cultural scene was the recent announcement by the Boymans Museum, in Rotterdam, that they would drop the planned Jan van Eyck exhibition----which had a cost of 1.3 million euro. There was a public outcry and a few corporate sponsors, who saw a PR value in supporting the show, have stepped forward.
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Laser 3.14 latest observations: "The sky Is Filled With Angels, Still You Shrivel Instead." That's rather cryptic...Not sure what he is trying to convey. (Weterschanns 185). This is better: "All Funds Depleted, The Lights Going Out Soon." (Nieuwe Kerkstraat 40). This bon-mot reminds 3D of a billboard at the city limits of Detroit: "The Last Person To Leave Detroit Will They Please Turn Off the Lights." That was in the late 70s. In 1960, the city had a population of two million. As of the US Census Report of 2010, there are now but 827,000 still hanging on...3D like this one by Laser especially: "You Are Free To Say Anything You Want, Just As Long As You Keep Your Mouth Shut." Are you reading this Pretty Boy Gerrit (Lauierstraat 58.)
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Gallery-A will mount its last exhibition on the 27th of January for Rick Keijzen. The space will be taken by Gallerie Witteveen which will move from their Keizersgracht location. STORM Gallery (3e Oosterparkstraat 201) has lost their "lease" as an anti-squat and is now looking for a new location. Contact: Martine Mulder, @ (020) 486.5561.
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For what it is worth: "The 100 Most Useful Web Sites," as determined by Liz Pulliam Weston, can be accessed at: www.articles.moneycentral.msn.com
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This quote came to 3D from JD, living in the state of Washington, in the USofA: "Show me a good loser...and I'll show you a loser." It was said by Gordie Howe, a National Hockey League player from 1946 to 1980. A phenomenal 34 years. He was 52 when he retired. In the final years, he actually had his two sons playing with him on the same professional NHL team. Needless to say, he holds many hockey records.
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"FACING FORWARD" is a series of lectures with the Stedelijk Museum as the head sponsor. "Future Freedom" is next on the agenda with Paul Chan and Hito Steyerl, on the 9th of February, at the Oude Lutherse Kerk (Spui 411). Tickets are 12.50 euro at the door, cheaper bought in advance. More info and full program at: www.facingforward.nl
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"BECOME A FRIEND" of STEIM and help save this internationally known "School for New Sounds." Only 50 euro/year. See www.steim.org for more info.
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Not really sure what this is all about, but it sounds interesting. "2.Gether} Duos in the visual arts." "An Event on Co-Creation." Sponsored by Nieuw Dakota and EYE Film Instituut Nederland. It says in part, "The event [scheduled for Fall, 2012] will offer inspiration on co-creating for your co-workers, employees and business partners....includes a symposium, visit to the event, a publication, social media coverage, workshops with art duos and studio visits." More info At: 2.GETHER@xmsnet.nl Attn: Jelle Piersma.
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More from Oscar Wilde: "That a gentleman is one who never hurts another's feelings unintentionally." 3D mentioned this to Cees S. and he sent two of his favorite Wilde observations: "To be natural is such a very difficult pose to keep." And "To get back one's youth, one has merely to repeat one's follies!" The English have a way of cutting a person down to nothing in a simple sentence. Another good example is a quote from Bernard Shaw. A woman---Lady Astor, I thinhk---said to him, "If I were married to you, Mr. Shaw, I would poison you!." His reply, "If I were married to you, madam, I would gladly take it!" Here's to hemlock.
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As readers of the 3D List are aware, I have had problems with Hans van Velzen's Open Bare Bibliotheek. Recently, I was at a neighborhood library, where I read the Int Herald Tribune. Walking through the lobby there were three women standing, in a group, watching a two year old girl play with a dog. One was the head librarian. I stopped and said, "This library is going to the dogs!" Everyone laughed. I then said, "I think it would be a good idea to give the dog the OBA' director Van Velzen's job." The librarian's eyes went wide and she said in Dutch, "That's a very good idea!" The man is not well liked my his staff. Morale is low. It is time for him to move on.
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...More bashing...It has been reported in the Dutch media that there are mice in the chamber used by Parliament. Hey, it's not the mice in Parliament that we should worry anyone, it's the rats...and we know who you are Mark the Shark, Pretty Boy Gerrit, et al.
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Overheard at a political party New Years reception and said by a member of the PvdA: "International issues begin in neighborhoods." Much truth in that.
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3D loves to hate the Albert Heijn; and I use the supermarket judiciously. I tend to buy only toilet articles, milk, beer, wine and a few other items not available at smaller food shops. I NEVER buy fruits, meat or fish at a supermarket; the quality is poor and you never know how long the product has been wrapped in the cellophane; and everything is overpriced. Also, supermarkets use a method of marketing that the inexperience shopper is taken in by; it is called "loss leader." That means certain products are offered, for sale, at what they cost the supermarket---think the AH Bonus Card. The idea is to get you into the store and to buy other items that are priced excessively high.

As why I specifically dislike the ubiquitous Albert Heijn Is for various reasons: 1. You can NOT expect to find standard items at ALL the AH branches; 2. Where the product sits, on the shelf, sometimes there is NO price tag; 3. Often, even when there is a price tag, is in NOT in agreement with the bar code readers' interpretation at the check-out counter; sometimes the difference is as much as one euro; 4. AH is often out of standard items, especially those marked as BONUS.

I won't go into any more detail at this point, but what got my goat this time was that I stopped yesterday at the AH at Koningsplein for a half liter bottle of "Rode Spa." There was NO price tag on the shelf, but I knew the AH, at the Waterlooplein, charges 41 euro cents. I was charged, this time, 89 euro cents. When I questioned the cashier, she said that prices are not all the same at AH stores. Today, I stopped at another AH branch for a half liter bottle of Rode Spa. The price? 33 euro cents. Unbelievable that one location charges three times the price of the same product as another location. There should be a law!
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WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED:

Maatschappij Arti Et Amicitiae (Rokin 112) is an artist club, established in 1863. It begins every new year with a huge group show of their members' work. This year, there are over 200 artists hanging. It makes for a busy, busy, busy array of imagery, but with a little effort you can single out what you like. And you will like something if you like ART, because there is indeed something for everyone. You name it, they got it! There is sculpture work, photography, paintings, prints, video, conceptual,. et al. The prices ranged from the ridiculously cheap to reasonable priced. 3D saw at least ten pieces he wanted..And I was trying to be both judicious and disciplined. Go see it!!! www.arti.nl
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3D caught the finnisage for Henri Bloomers photographic exhibition at "tao gallery" (Recht Bloomsloot 87) and I am very happy to report that there were 12 red dots. Bloomer does photography and has several styles, something for everyone, that defines how he sees the world. One aspect, that immediately captures the eye, is his light. Several photos have dark backgrounds that project the imagery which is subtly lit. He has a series where he takes a theme and mounts several photos that in one way or another relate. There is also an interactive aspect to the series in that the public is encouraged to formulate their own conceptions. (40 euro to 950 euro; 67x45 cms., @ 330 euro.) www.henribloomers.com
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R&R: Reuten Galerie (Prinsengract 534) presents a group show of seven artists centered around the theme "lens based." Indeed! Photography and video works. The video work stands out because there are several new and innovative styles plus technology that is used to project the works. Everything from a quiet lake scene at night, to a snow storm in a park, to an unusual architectural "tour" of tall buildings, to a horse prancing across a city scape. The latter is presented in a visually and fascinating way. There is also 3D imagery-like objects and one work is not only dimensional but dramatically lit. And one video I will single out. It was done by Lon Godin who is stuck in a black and white world. I saw large b/w washes of hers last June, at the same gallery, and was impressed. The video is even more so; and I did not see it under the best circumstances, nor in its complete form. It was being projected on a small notebook screen; there is music, but---during the opening---it was turned off. I sat in a chair mesmerized at the changing imagery which was continuous. I was waiting for the loop to start over again. I sat there for 30 minutes before it came to an end. I then asked the gallerist how long was it? "One hour and 15 minutes. It consist of 80,000 drawings and took over a year to make." Cool! (Prices from 520 euro to 3,000 euro). Until 12th February. www.galeries.nl/reuten
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ArtAffairs (Veemkade 354) is showing early work of Marinus Boezem under the title, "la lumiëre cistercienne." The etchings are from 25 year ago but they are still "new" today; if not avant garde. He visited several Catholic Cathedrals, in France, and made schematic architectural drawings of their floor shape. He then etched the imagery onto glass plates. Finally, he framed them with the glass about three cms., from the backing mat. Thus, there is an every changing shadow cast on the mat depending on the time of the day and/or the lighting in a room. This is meant to reflect what happens in a Cathedral as light passes through the stain glassed window. Cool!. There are 22 pieces from 1985, each is 50x40 cms,, and all are priced as one. Until 25th February. www.artaffairs.net.
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Ayako Rokkaku (Japan) is fun!!! She is showing at Gallery Delaive (Spiegelgracht 23) for the fifth time and you will have seen her at ArtAmsterdam every year for the last five as well. She does live paintings and this was true at this opening. Her style is contemporary impressionistic (colors) meets COBRA school...And she "paints" primarily with her fingers, just like a child and her style reflects that of a child's naïve imagery and representation of the world; and also like a child, you get the idea that she enters into her own world and is consumed by it. Eight red dots on paintings; four red dots on works-on-cardboard. (1,200 to 2,000 euro, works-on-cardboard; 2,500 to 20,000 euro paintings on canvas.) Until ???. www.delaive.com
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"C&H art space"(2e Kostverlorenkade 50) presents Patricia Kaersenhout and "presents" could not be a more appropriate term because each piece is a production, a BIG production. Technique? Take your pick: Mixed media, collage, embroidery, tapestry...did I leave out anything? As you can imagine, the work is busy, busy, busy; and it is kitschy. If you like kitsch, you love her work. If not, well, you'll miss the point. There are both the ethnic and erotic themes in the subject matter; and some you could describe as pornographic. (30x40 cms., @ 600 euro; 70x73 cms., @ 1,200 euro.) ...In the gallery's other room there are four artists showing. The range in style is eclectic. There is a sculpture piece that goes beyond description and it is all in b/w, by Charloes Landvreugd...Another artist, Kurt Nahar, emulates the Pop School' artist Andy Warhol by using redundant portrait photographs. As an example, Sylvia Willink, the widow of Karel Willink, is seen as a reclining naked Maja. The image comes from one of Karel's paintings. Showing also is Remy Jungerman and Iris Kensmil. Until 4th February. www.ch-artspace.com
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Casper Faassen is at Galerie Pien Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570) with a simple style that is highly complex. To understand that, you gotta see it. He works on canvas, old tarps and old wood. Minimal line portraits of ladies, but that 's the simple part. He also does photography, but that too is an unusual and complex style. Some works are almost subliminal, others are also vague but in intriguing ways and the imagery ranges from flowers to ladies. Nice! (200x100 cms., photos, ed 9 @ 3,900 euro; 60x40 cms., painting on plaster @ 950 eruo; 300x180 cms., painting on canvas at 9,000 euro.) Four red dots at opening. Until 19th February. www.galerierademakers.nl
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KochXBos (1e Anjeliersdwaarstraat 3) has an exhibition for 12 photographers presenting work that was commissioned by a theater or a theater group. The result is a collection of imaginative settings and compositions with an interesting mix of styles. A few of the photographers showing are: Jan Versweyveld, Sofie Knijff, Lee van Velzen, Deen van Meer, HJochem Jurgens, et al. Until 28th January.
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TORCH (Lauriergracht 94) shows the work of Gary Carsley and in one sense there is something retro about the style/technique or appears to be. The imagery is consistent views of autumn foliage scenes. And the style resembles the 50s paint-by-number genre, but in greater detail and nuances. He also embellishes the paintings in unusual ways. Several have a human figure, all in black, which is in dramatic contrast to the colors of the background. A couple others have a chair infront of the work and the chair is painted to correspond to the image on the canvas. The gallery PR release said that he looks for the half way point between applied arts and conceptual art. He uses a data base of thousands of photographs of plastic wood, linoleum designs, table tops, etc to form the imagery. He composes it on a PC then prints it out, enlarges it and there you have it. (33x37 cms., lambda mono print @ 7,500 euro; 135x135 cms., C-print on Aludibond @ 11,000 euro.) Until 18th February. www.torch.com
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"Galerie bart" (Bloemgracht 2) hangs the drawings of Heidi Sincuba (South Africa). Her style is figurative and representational with a conceptual edge. She works almost exclusively in b/w---with touches of red, sometimes---using charcoal,. black wash and red chalk. What to expect? Well, there are teeth molars, a kid with a gas mask, a boy with an apple on his head, an ink plot, an igloo positioned just below a woman's vagina, trees, chess pieces...Well, you get the idea, a little of everything. There are between 80 and 90 works hanging. (30x42 cms., drawing @ 240 euro; 61x46 cms., charcoal on canvas with frame @ ?...damn, I forgot to write it down.) Until 11th February. www.galeriebart.nl
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A series of portrait photographs of children by Alex ten Napel is now hanging at Eduard Planting Gallery Fine Art Photographs (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2). The title of the show is "Twelve" and that is consistent with 12 photos on display all of 12 year old children and during the year 2012. Technically, the work is very good, but more importantly they are honest portraits. That is, the kids stare into the camera lens objectively, no smiles and only a few with the hint of a grin. The series represents the visual aspects of a project-in-progress. Ten Napel also asked a few hundred 12 year old kids what they would do if they were Prime Minister of Holland and the President of the USofA. He is not sorting through over 300 replies. More to follow. (99x83 cms., Ed. 5, ink jet on dibond; @ 2,250 euro; @ 2,500 euro on perspex.
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3D likes Jack Prins, now showing at Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843). This is the second time I am writing about his work and I am just as excited as the first time. He is a conceptualist sculptor that works in metal. But these are not huge pieces, but small table objects and wall hangings. The designs are simple but always captivating. There is one large piece (120x100) that's made of iron and it is, well, sorta in motion. (250 to 4,500 euro.)...Suzanne Hartmans does mixed media which are geometric abstractions. All are in b/w with a shaped wood board. Simple, but elegant. (1,600 to 1,750 euro)...Tom Jorris works in oils on canvas. The style is abstraction/expressionism, but in a minimal way and subtle in their imagery. (1,425 to 3,285 euro.) Until 14th January. www.galerie-clement.nl
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If you have an interest in geometric/abstraction and/or typography this is a MUST SEE exhibition. Henri Jacobs (Nieuw Dakota, Ms. van Riamsdijkweg 41b, NDSM-laan, free ferry from CS) begins the show---or is it the end---with almost monochromatic black ink linear drawings which are intricate as well as captivating. These are followed by a series of Fontona-like canvases which outdo the master in their inventiveness. Next, a series of 40+ A4 geometric/abstract drawings divided into a couple of series. Each series has a redundant theme which is constantly reinvented. At the conclusion, is Jacobs design for the alphabet which is avant garde and highly stylized. Until 19th February. www.nieuwdakota.com
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...Hey, kill two birds with one stone...Next door to the Nieuw Dakota is Motive Gallery's new location (Ms. Riemedijkweg 41a) and they are showing Louis De Cordier (USofA) and his boat show. Kid you not! He works with North American White Pine and digs out and shapes the tree's trunk much like the Indians did to make their canoes. He has various shapes, but all are simple and streamlined. Each is mounted on a three legged iron pedestal which perfectly compliments the piece. (140x15x18 cms., @ 7,000 euro; 137.5x23.25 cms., @ 9,000 euro; 228x15.5x12 cms., @ 9,000 euro.) Until 3rd March. www.motivegallery.nl
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Two ceramic artist, Jeffrey Haines (USofA) and Rem Posthuma (NL), share the stage at De Witte Voet (Kerkstrat 135). Haines does small works that are free form in style. But more often than not, they seem to relate to something in the real world. In fact, one piece looks like "brass knuckles" an aggressive hand weapon. Many of the pieces are decorated with linear lines and sometimes gold plated. (A set of 24 @ 5,200 euro; 60 to 1,200 euro per pieces for the rest.)...Rem Posthuma does something completely different. He creates diamond-like clusters, that are wall hangings, in five sections. Each piece measures about 100x100 cm.s Another piece is on the floor. It is a larger free form work, in clay (300x270 cms.) made up of individual geometric/abstract designs that resembles a big jigsaw puzzle. Cool! (Diamond clusters, 5 pieces @ 2,800 euro; two works at 560 and 1,100 euro.) Until 18th February. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl
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Ben Joppe had a long life, 1915 to 2007. This retrospective exhibition titled "Sashiburi: long time no see," at Steendrukkerij Amsterdam (Lauriergracht 80), of his oeuvre, reveals much about his style over the years. In the 50s, he traveled to Japan; he was both influenced and educated in black brush stoke painting/drawings. Thus the work is linear in style for the most part, as well as, simple. But he also did expressionistic paintings which, again, reflect the Eastern influences while remaining true to the western style. Prints and mono types are also on display. (41x30 acrylic on paper, 2004 @ 600 euro; 55x33 mono type,, 1060, @ 1,250 euro; 120x70 cms., acrylic on canvas, 2001 @ 3,250 euro.) Until 18th Febuary. www.steendrukkerij.com
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The art of drawing is NOT dead, but alive and well and displayed at Ron Mandos (Prinsengracht 282) Rik Smits makes pencil drawings, but it is more than just pencil on paper, but truly monumental creations both in subject matter and size. His style is basically architectural. The building designs reflect the best of Art Deco 20s' style to Mies van der Rohe's Bauhaus glass modular constructions. And there are small highly detailed examples, as well, which are generally dramatic because the building is collapsing after being dynamited. However, the piece d'resistance, of the show, is a stupendous, epic and panoramic drawings, measuring 350x240 cms., of an island city. At the center, is a huge cube-like structure closely resembling the like structure at La Defence, in Paris. It is flanked by 100+ structures that are much smaller in scale, but still monumental in concept. The "island" is surrounded by a wharf with several docks for both ships and airplanes. Airplanes? Well, yeah, airplanes. There is an F-22 Stealth fighter-bomber and F-16 fighter jets as well as your run-of-the-mill aircraft career. Truly a stunning piece.(21x29 cms., pencil on paper @ 1,100 euro; 180x240 pencil on paper @ 6,300 euro; 240x350, price on request.)

A complementary feature is an exhibition for Constant, the COBRA artist. But the work is from around1960 and with a architectural theme and city planning scematic drawings and designs (done with Brom Wisman). In addition, there are small---about 5x10 cms---etchings that are architectural in their design and subject matter. Until 11th February www.ronmandos.nl
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VOUS ETES ICI (Lijnbaansgracht 314) has a group show, of several artists, and the styles range from representational to geometric/abstract to photography to a few pieces that make you say "WOW!!! Look at that!" Joachim Grommek has painted a geometric/abstract work with fantastic colors. Then there is "The Drawing Club," by Koen Taselaar which is a huge pencil drawings with a combination of styles and lots of typography. Nice! Couldn't find a price list...Sorry. Until ______. www.vousetesici.nl
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And through the hallway there is LUMEN TRAVO with Ibrahim Qurashi (Kenya) who has selected portrait photographs of his family---mainly his grandfather and taken in 1920. He has made an outline of the portrait and made prints. He then ask several children to do the coloring. He asked them to bring their own identity into the colors. Thus each one is completely different while always the same. A print was made of each and the image transferred to a metal plate. In the other gallery, there is an interesting wall print (done with his own designed wall paper) that covers three walls. But, you gotta see it! (A4 prints on metal Ed 3 @ damn, forgot to jot down the price...now that was dumb.) Until 18th February. www.lumentravo.nl
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...And just a few doors down and you are at AKINCI with the work of Charlotte Schleiffert who is back for, well, must be the third or fourth time which is not bad for such a young artist. Unfortunately, 3D never knows how to adequately describe Schleiffert work. She makes drawings in chalk and pastel. Big drawings! That part is easy. the style is more difficult to explain. In some respect they resemble street art, but it also has a fantasy element and some pieces you might say are even grotesque. Whatever! The work is certainly not for everyone, but there is no denying the drama in each work. (238x151 cms., mixed media on paper @ 8,500 euro; 410x176x84 cms., plaster, wood and mixed technique @ 20,000 euro.) Until 18th February. www.akinci.nl
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"Van Krimpen...Back in Town." Anyway, that's what it said on the door...And it is the Wim van Krimpen of KunstHall and Museum Den Haag Gemeente fame (Hazenstraat 20) The artist is Jop Vissers Vorstenbsch who is an expressionist; and if you think you have seen it all as far as expressionism goes, well, think again. True, some piece explode from the canvas like a bomb, something you expect from expressionism, but others reflect the universe in a gentle way and some are just stunning. (55x40 acrylic/oil @ 800 euro; 100x150 cms., acrylic/oil @ 2,200 euro.) NINE RED DOTS at opening. Until 18th February.
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"Portable Monuments" with the duo Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin (UK) are at Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 34) with a series of 85 works on paper. It "is a contemporary re-working of The War Primer, a book by Bertolt Brecht published in 1955." "Don't start with the good old things but the bad new ones," Brecht said. The artists have "gathered their material from the Internet - compressing, uploading, ripping, squeezing, reformatting and re-editing often anonymous images - rather than sifting through newspapers with a pair of scissors." What you get are A4 size b/w prints with a section overlapped with red see-through cellophane. The subject matter tends to be grim, sometime very grim. (29x24 cms. silkscreen prints on paper. Ed 8. Price...not listed.) Until 18th February. www.gabrielrolt.com
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"gallery 9" (Keizersgracht 552) is showing the stone sculpture work of Jantien Kahn for the first time. She works in both marble and limestone. She creates simple, elegant and monumental forms. The designs are almost "quiet", that is, they don't jump out at you, but still get your attention. In some pieces she defines the material by making hundreds of short-rib grooves. One piece combines the latter with a polished side (18.5x12.5x9 cms., Paonazzo marble 550 euro; 35x41x146 cms., Irish blue lime/French limestone @ 4,300; others 1,900 to 2,700 euro) ...Showing with her is Anjeliek Blaauw who is a sculpture turned painter. There are two small bronze sculpture works, by her, hanging on the wall along side her paintings. The paintings are basically expressionistic, but it is the technique that catches the eye. She works on perspex; and she paints with outdoor lacquer paint. Sometimes the piece is hung with the paint on the back and you see it through the plastic; other times, you see the paint on the surface. (30x30x2 cms., bronze @ 1,500 euro; 105x75 cms., outdoor lacquer on acrylic @ 1,00 euro; 195x75 outdoor lacquer on acrylic @ 3,300 euro.) Until 11th February www.gallerynine.nl
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Sieb Swarti (NL) calls himself "the photographer of the built environment." He focuses on the Dutch waterworks and how it deals with the threat of the North Sea. Twenty-four photos are all aerial shots of Holland and on view at Huis Marseilles (Keizersgracht 401). They are panoramic and while there is no doubt as to what their representation is they are also geometric abstractions which reflect remarkably well the landscaping of the country. Sometimes defined by polders and sometimes by Dutch engineering at its best. 3D loves mountains, but this exhibit makes a flat landscape very beautiful too....Showing, also, is the work of the Japanese photographer Naoya Hatakeyama. He represented Japan at the 49th Venice Biennial. "He takes pictures not of plants or animals but stones and minerals." There are four photos that exemplify this under the title Ciel Tombe which is a "technical term that refers to the dilapidated state of roofs in the tunnels beneath the Bols de Vicennes, Paris." In another gallery there are 59 photos depicting the tsunami disaster which destroyed the city of his birth. Even more tragically, Hatakeyama's mother was killed in the flooding. His still photos capture the devastation better than any video image you have seen; that's because it focuses on individual areas and structures. There is also a section that highlights the industrial infrastructure of Japan; both the old and the new. Until 26th February. www.huismarseiille.nl
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At Gerhard Hofland (neé: Ashenbach and Hofland Galleries, Bilderdijkstraat 165) is the work of Roland Horvath (Hungary). There is something about his painting that are reminiscent of the late 19th century De Haagse School. And you see it two ways: The darkly painted canvases and in the subject matter like still lifes and flower arrangements. But his stroke work is quick like that of an expressionist. What makes this an even more interesting show is the contrast and dichotomy of these two artistic styles. (30x30 oil on canvas @ 1,200 euro; 60x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,000 euro; 110x210 oil on canvas @ 4,500 euro.)...Also on show is Ani Eloyan whose style is comic strip art meets the street artist. The innocence of the imagery, on the comic pages, and the provocative elements common to the street artists. She bring it all together with erotic elements mixed with fantasy and the dream world. She is a recent graduate (2010) of the Rietveld Academy and off to a very good start in her professional life; there were FIVE red dots at the opening. (53.5x50.4 cms., mixed media on paper @ 1,200 euro; 265x218 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 4,800.) Damn, the exhibition closed the 10th of January. www.gerhardhofland.com
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Jeanine Hofland Contemporary Art (De Clercqstraat 62) has on exhibit the work of Rumiko Hagiwara (Japan) who is a conceptualist that leans towards the minimal. She likes shadows and several works are in b/w. Two drawings, in pencil, are white pillow cases, but for all practical purposes they are abstractions with very good contrast. She had crated a stack of 1000 books----15 books to a layer---that is about 125 cms., high. Each book is 8.5x5.5 cms., and in only b/w. As you flip through one, you get an animated-like geometric abstract production, minimally. One work is described as "tube, wall, tram stop sign and title plate." What a mouthful and an eye full.What it is is a black hole, about the diameter of a pencil, bored into wood. You look through the hole and then you understand the title. It is an edition of 1/1 and priced @ 3,500 euro; the most minimal and simple piece in the show and at the highest price. That may be very Japanese. (flip book, 20x25x.5 cms.,. Ed. 30 @ 25 euro; "Thousand of space between black and white," Ed. 1000 @ 15 euro; most other pieces are in limited editions and priced at 1,000 euro up.) Until 11th February. www.jeaninehofland.nl
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Michael Jacklin is back at SLEWE gallery for the eight time. His a a conceptual metal sculptor. His designs are linear and modular and could not be more simple. In that context he makes forms that are not only unique but have a timeless quality to them. They will always be avant garde. (4,500 to 8,000 euro.) Until 11th February. www.slewe.nl
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Galerie Josine Bokhoven is showing Roger Ackling that, like the above artist, makes simple objects. He works with old wood; and there are two styles. One is to make collages from 5 to 15 pieces. Another, which is more conceptual, is his burning a zig-zag pattern into the old wood and then extends the pattern using yarn and lets it zig-zag down the wall for several meters. Cool! One piece straddles two walls beginning at a piece of wood and ending at one. (3,170 to 6,500 euro.) Until 21st February. www.galeriejosinebokhoven.nl
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Jürgen Vijfschiff is at Galerie Op Stekker (Noorderstraat 61) with photography. The shows title is "Costade Morte Galerië." There is a central theme to the work and that is rocks and stones found by the sea. But you see more than the cold forms of stone. He focus on the organic life that somehow exists in this often cruel and rugged environment like small flowers growing from the cracks, in the rocks, or an insect sunning itself or the starfish clinging to the cold surface. All are in glorious color which helps with the subtle contrast of browns of the rocks and the blue of the sea and sky. (22x30 cms., @ 175 euro; 45x30 cms., @ 225; 40x50 cms., @ 425 euro.) Until 21st February. www.????
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At Ten Haaf Project (Lauierstraat 248) is "The Big Picture" which is an exhibition of four photographers, both living and dead. Amongst the departed is Weegee (1899-1968) who recently had an exhibition at "foam." He was one of the first photojournalist. He listened to the New York Police radio band and followed them around town photographing the blood and splatter of murder. He often developed the photos from the trunk of his car so as to have a scoop on other photographers (19x25 cms., @ 4,750 euro.)...Another fellow American is Garry Winogrand (1928-1986) who also recently showed at "foam." He roamed the streets of America photographing the "social issues and relationships between humans." (24x32 cms., Ed. 37/80 @ 3,300 euro.)...Anders Goldfarb has been an assistant to Saul Leiter. The latter is now showing at the Jewish Historical Museum. He only shoots in b/w and "documents the world around him." (28x28 cms., Ed. 1/5 @ 750 euro)...Mark Alor Powell (Mexico) photographs Mexico City with a "cold representation reality, his images often consist of dark humor." There is also a photo by Man Ray on display. (26x40 cms., Ed. 1/5 @ 725 euro.) Until 18th February. www.tenhaafprojects.com
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Well, that was a lot to read...But...There is ALWAYS much going on in Amsterdam on the Art Scene...What a joy to live in a city which puts culture right up there with garbage collecting when it comes to attention. But, hey, folks, some one's gotta pay for it...And that someone is YOU. BUY, BUY and BUY some more. Save an artist and you save his family.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2012

Gould's 3D List: Number 5

2011-12-16T15:01:00.002+01:00

Gould's 3D List: Number 5

You don't need 3D to tell you that the economic news is bad. Ironically, the Netherlands is a safe haven in the storm. A recent news report said that it is the second richest country in the EU; Luxembourg is number one. However, the Dutch, being the Dutch, have batten down the hatches to their wallets and are preparing for the worse. Of course, this will only have a negative affect on its domestic economy. You must spend your way out of a recession. It is a tenet of the John Maynard Keynes dictum. Again, unemployment is not a severe problem here as in other European countries or even compared with the USofA. Needless to say, the only reason 3D is on his soap box is because when the wallets are tightened the artist are the first to feel it. To re-adapt an old proverb, "When the economy catches a cold, the artists' market gets pneumonia." Hey, don't let it happen! Give artist a penicillin shot by BUYING something. Especially, NOW! After all, it is the Christmas season; a time to be jolly and deck the halls with bells made of euro.

INDEX:

Bits Pieces:

What You Have Missed:

BITS & PIECES:

The wraps have come off the Stedelijk Museum's new wing and it is now possible to see that to expect...And, what to expect? Think back to reading Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels." He was a big man in the teeny weeny society and the land of Lilliput. A dozen Lilliputians could stand in his hand. Well, now imagine that Gulliver brings them back to contemporary England. They visit his bathroom and look up at his enormous bathtub with an extended lip that also looks like the underside of an aircraft career and you got a the picture. Hey, that ain't bad. It has clean lines and a simple form. It will not be in conflict with the old Stedelijk because it completely blocks out any view of it. Can't wait to see it in all its glory...Only one factor that seems to mar this monumental design. Built, unattached from the new wing, is a large structure that, I assume, is for the heating and cooling machinery. It is located near the new wing's entrance at the De Baerlestraat. It hinders and distracts from your view. Could there not have been a better location?
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"Art and Theory from a Future Perspective lecture series December 2011 - April 2012," is organized by the Stedelijk Museum, SMBA, University of Amsterdam, de Appel, W139 and Metroplois M. The first of the series is the 7th of December and titled "Future Tech...what will the relationship between men, women and machines be in the future?" The speakers will be Amber Case (US), a cyborg anthropologist and Manuel DeLand (US) a Mexican/American writer. Following them there will be a discussion. The location is Oude Lutherer Kerk, Spui and tickets are 12.500 euro at the door or 10.00 in advance. For the other topics in the series and more info: www.facingforward.nl
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Droog, the Amsterdam design firm, has begun an online store. See: www.droog.com
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This was seen at www.frozenfountain.nl website: "I can resist anything but temptation," Oscar Wilde. He did have good insight into human nature.
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The Frans Hal Museum, in Haarlem, is featured in an article titled, "The Dutch Golden Age, here and now," by Geraldine Fabrikant. www.iht.com, (23rd Nov.)
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Also check this article from the International Herald Tribune, "Tuned to detail 'no matter how crazy'" by Alice Rawsthorn (www.iht.com, 14th Nov.) The subtitle is "A Dutch designer plays with the primal nature of everyday objects." The design is Aldo Bakker and he was born with designed etched into his genes. His mother was Emmy van Leersum, an avant garde jewelry maker and Gijs Bakker the co-founder of Droog Design.
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There seems to be an award for everything. London's Literary Review has announced its nominees to their 19th annual "Bad Sex Awards." Kid you not! Their intention is to "draw attention to the crude, tasteless often perfunctory use of redundant passages of sexual description in the modern novel and to discourage it." So far there are eight males nominees and only two female. Stephen King, James Frey and Lee Child ( 3D likes Lee Child) are included. The award ceremony is on the 6th of December...And the lucky(?) winner is...Well, this 3D List has been in production for so long that I can reveal the winner now: David Guterson. For his novel "Ed King" "which centered around a frenzied encounter in a shower." Why frenzied? Was the water too hot or too cold? Were they wearing clothes or naked? Damn, 3D gotta read the book...
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Creative call for architects by the 2012 Survival Kit Project: ARCAM & The Urban Arts Foundation. They want "designs for sustainable, (semi-) prefab and modular housing." Architects, designers and students are welcome. More info at: www.2012survivalkitproject.com The deadline: 21st February. 2012.
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Call for projects relating to "Social Cities of Tomorrow, New Media & Urban Design." ARCAM, Mobile City, Virtual Platform. They will present a program to "showcase a project that makes innovative use of digital media technologies in an urban context." The concepts will be presented at: "Social Cities of Tomorrow: New Media & Urban Design" which will take place on the 17th February 2012 in Amsterdam. If you are an architect, media maker, community organizer, local government official, entrepreneur, researcher, activist, designer or artist you are welcome to submit. More info at: www.ARCAM.nl, click on to: "Social Cities of Tomorrow."
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"A nation cannot stand among great powers without its people's spiritual affluence and the nation's expression of its creativity." Who said that? Would you believe it is a quote from an editorial appearing in China's People's Daily, the official party newspaper...And it was on the front page. Read more in an article titled "China's paradoxical artistic goal," by M. Wines at: www.iht.com, 5th November. A footnote: 3D read, a few years back, that China was building 1,000 city art museums. Good way to spend all those hard earned dollars.
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Wine in cans? Hey, why not! It seems that wineries from Australia to USofA---with France to join the tin can revolution in 2012---are now putting the nectar of the gods in cans. And it isn't cheap! An American retailer says, "I've been a little surprised that they're [buyers] to pay so much for it, but it's good quality." One 250 ml can sells for $7. A Swiss wine maker makes three canned varieties and 24 cans sell for $104.
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WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED:

Good news is always welcomed. On the 3D List, "good news" is often defined as how many red dots were seen at a gallery. Lately, there has not been much good news. So 3D is overjoyed to report that Jaski Art Gallery (Nieuwe Spieglestraat 29) is doing well. Their last show was for a young Canadian artist Tessar Lo---only four years out of art academy. He was born in Indonesia, but his formative years were in Toronto. Thus he brings to the canvas a number of influences. There is the obvious COBRA style, that is, child-like and or primitive elements combined with the comic strip style of art (ironically, he told3D that until this first visit to the Netherlands he was not acquainted with the COBRA group). He combines this with abstract/expressionistic styles which effectively gives his work a true avant garde feel. This was his first European exhibition. He sold 12 works. Closed 6th November.

The next exhibition was for a duo and they are having their third show at the gallery. They call themselves Les Deux Garçons. And in keeping with that monocle they create "Siamese-like" objects. It is always a challenge to describe their work because it is so unusual and totally unique. They start with two dead animals of the same size and type, like a small deer, and add a horn to the middle of each head. Horn? Yeah, as in unicorn. Of course, the animals have been "processed" by a taxidermist which means no decay nor smell. The two are joined together like Siamese twins. Then they are bedecked with costume jewelry and fancy leg garters. The result is, of course, kitschy...But, good very kitsch. It catches your eye, makes you smile and then you can get into the balance of the composition and other artistic elements. There were 5 Red Dots 60 minutes into the opening. And considering that the price range is 9,000 to 35,000 euro (the total was just a shade under 100,000 euro)...that ain't bad. Closed 27th November.

Well, this gallery has been doing something different. The exhibition period for most shows is only a couple weeks. But considering that they are one of the gallery's with a consistent large number of red dots, it must be doing the right thing. As to the red dots, this present show was no different from the two previous ones. At the opening, there were four red dots; and that was only 30 minutes into the show. The artist is Emilio Kruithof with "Blind Love." This is his seventh or eight exhibition at Jaski; the gallery holder has lost count. Kruithof has truly a distinct style. It emulates the "portraits" of Andy Warhol in their simplicity of form and especially color. But Warhol created the imagery with the silkscreen technique that were derived from photos. Kruithof paints. And he paints very well. Most remarkable is the fact that he uses little color. The skin of these female beauties are in brown tones. But that's not to say he doesn't use color. In some works there is red and orange, strong and assertive colors to be sure, but the way he uses them, minimally, creates a tension which is hard to comprehend. You gotta see them. (60x60 cms., @ 4,200 euro; 124x110 cms., @ 8,500 euro; 142x200 cms., @ 12,000 euro.) Until 18th December. www.jaski.nl
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...And keep those red dots coming...At Smith-Vissers Galerie (Noorderdwarsstrat 7) that's just what happened...But more about that later. Kim van Dusseldorp presents chalk and oil pastel drawings that 3D feels a need to coin a new term to place it in a style category. The imagery is, to a degree, representational (landscapes) but each piece is truly expressionistic with heavy geometric abstract overtones. You must go beyond the expressionism and pay respect to the geometric abstract aspects before you can really appreciate the subtle representational element,. And it's worth the effort. There is a lot of color as you would expect but, again, it is subdued which owes to the fact that she avoids red, green and yellow. Another attraction are the prices; Down right cheap! Go see for your self. (7.5x5 cms., drawing in PP, @ 45 euro; 100x150 cms., drawing @ 650 euro). 20 RED DOTS 50 minutes into opening. Until 3rd December.

...Well, you missed that show. The latest is for Simone van den Heuvel who paints sketchy representational oils with the urban scene as her focus. Most of the works are night scenes. (18x24 cms., oil@ 850 euro; 30x40 cms., oil @ 1,250 euro) Until 7th January. www.galeriesmithvissers.nl
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NA NUL, in English "After Zero," was at BORZO Modern & Contemporary Art (Keizersgract 516). An excellent overview of minimal art over the last half of the 20th century. Expect to see work by Ger van Elk, Jan Dibbets, Carel Visser and lesser names like Marinus Boezem, Jurriaan Molenaar, Peter Royen, Herman de Vries, et al. Prints, paintings, collage work and small installation/object pieces. Until 3rd December. www.borzo.com
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Roger Ballen is showing under the title "Animal Abstraction" at Reflex Amsterdam (Weteringschans 83). Well, what to make of these b/w photographs? It is easy to say that they will not appeal to everyone. In fact, an element of viewers might find dead mice, a snake sucking a person's finger or dead fish and fish heads repulsive. It is true that much of the subject matter has grotesque overtones, but more often than not there is also humor and/or irony that take the edge off. And there are several aspects to each composition; most are complex with layers of nuance from symbols to graffiti. No price list available. Until 10th December. www.reflexamsterdam.com
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"foam" (Keizersgracht 609) opened two new exhibition on the 15th December. Joel Sternfeld (USofA) does America. He hopped into a VW van back in the 70s and set off to see the country and photograph its people. He did for the continental USofA what Walker Evens did for Appalachia. But unlike Evans who shot only in b/w Sternfeld did it in glorious color. Up until the 70s American museums and galleries shun color photography; he helped to change that bias. There are a 10 series in the exhibition with a total of 120 reflecting an overview of 30 years of his work. And take it from an American, the photos could not be more representative of the people---from the common man to the elite---and the landscape---from their homes to the roadside diners.

Also, Sara-Leno Maierhofer opened in the upstair's library. The title is "Dear Clark" and "Clark" is Christina Karl Gerhartsreiter aka Clark Rockefeller. He led a life that was a lie. Maierhofer's approach to tell his story from an artist point of view was rejected by the man. So she set out to do it another way through newspaper articles, official documentation, found photographs, videos and her own photography. But even more importantly, Maierhofer said that her "aim was to unmask photography as a lie in itself." The show, iotself, consist of 64 pieces and one object (of the latter I could not see its relevancy) and it is divided into six categories like "The Promise," "The Lie," "The Reflection," etc. As to photographs styles there is a little of everything. Overall, it is all visually interesting, but would have been more so had there been liner notes next to each piece. A one sentence description would have sufficed. There is a small booklet, but that doesn't help. Pity. www.foam.nl
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Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843) has a small group show for three artists. Toon Berghahn work is representational but that's not what it is all about nor what is emphasized. He focuses on geometric/abstraction. Sure it's a gallery space that you see but what stands out are the squares, rectangles and linear aspects of the room. Judicious use of colors and good composition (28x40 cms., mixed media @ 800 euro; 190x122 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 3,800 euro.)....Gijs van Nooort does minimalistic and nearly monochromatic geometric/abstraction watercolors. Many look like wood pallets but what gets your attention is the perspective he views them from (24x31 cms., w/c @ 475; 125x190 cms,., oil @ 3,750 euro.)...Gerard Höweler is a sculpture working in stone and marble. He creates unique forms and designs. Often, what sets off a piece is the contrast between the polished part and the raw stone. A simple stere standing about one meter high turns almost into a puzzle-like object because of the ways he cuts into the stone. www.galerie-clement.nl
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VERVERS modern and contemporary art gallery (Hazenstraat 54) exhibition is dominated by Jeroen Blok by the number of works he hangs. Basically, he is a conceptualist and within that classification the subject matter ranges from deers to bunny rabbits and geometric abstraction. The works featuring "deers" is a multilayer representation. That is, the technique includes mixed media and typography. The geometric abstract work is as much studies in b/w and shades of gray. (2x25x25 cms., mixed media @ 500 euro; 70x100 cms., mixed media @ 1,500 euro.)..Anne van Eck does bronze sculpture pieces. The subject matter looks like otters or small weasels like animals. She focuses on their heads, Lager works resemble rabbits but in a conceptual manner. Another piece defines two people.There is a rawness in her sculpting style that gives the work an endearing quality. (Bronze, All in an edition of three, 425 to 5,400 euro.) Until 3rd December. www.verversgallery.nl
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Galerie R&R (Rueten) (Prinsengracht 534) has a hairy show! Literally. Seven artists show work that's technique ranges from prints to bronze with everything in between. So what's so "hairy?" Well, that's the theme. Lynne Leegte is back with her bronze pieces that play with hair In whimsical ways....Petra Morenzi does chalk drawings...Willy Looyen makes photographs and drawings in ways that are sometime surrealistic. Again, the styles range from fun to geometric abstraction and everything in between. Price range from 90 euro (100x70 cms., ed. 100, print to 6,500 euro for an alabaster sculpture. Until 10th December. www.galeries.nl/reuten
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Hendrik Kerstens is back at Galerie Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570) with photographs that emulate both the posing and lighting of the 17th Dutch masters, But, from time to time, he interjects elements of humor like the lady with dressed in black wearing a "wreath" of beer cans painted black. An interesting note is that the photos use the same model from an age of about six to 23 years old. It is the artist's daughter, Nice way to keep a family photo album. (The prices are progressive. That is, the edition is six and # 1 sells for 3,200 and #6 for 5,000 euro. in the size of 62.5x50 cms.,. The same photo is available at 150x120 cms., at #1 for 6,900 euro; # 6 @ 12,000 euro.) Until 23rd December. www.galerierademakers.nl
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Art Stable (Fokke Simonszstraat 73) is hanging the work of Agnus Gastmans (1939-2010). It is a retrospective show of works from 1980-2000. She was a conceptualist with concepts that ranged from simple ideas to geometric abstraction. Of the latter, there are references to the Op Art school of the 60s. She favored earth colors and b/w with shades of gray. The show has closed, but the gallery represents the artist's estate therefore works are available for seeing. Princes range from 200 euro to 1,500 euro. Open Thurs-Sun; 12-19:00. www.artstable.nl
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At RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427) Willem Schouten is refreshing to the eye because his technique and style you can't really identify. All the work is mixed media; and all is representational though ni a very vague way both in color and contrast. There is a raised surface which gives each piece an added dimension. He draws, prints and uses Chinese rice paper along with the canvas. (900-3,500)...Marco van Middelkoop shots unusual photographs. They are "landscape" photos but not from the perspective you would expect; he captures the imagery at altitudes of 5,000+ meters. He is judicious in his selection and because of this some appear to be geometric abstraction of reality. Cool! Actually, that is the best way to view his work, as abstractions. (750-2,700 euro)...Ni-el [sic] does nude sculptor work in wood. They are both monumental because of their simplicity and size (up to 150 cms.). Some are set-off by the delicate grain lines of the wood. Very nice. (3,000-17,500 euro)...Kariin Buchholtz paints figurative representational city scenes of Paris and London. She then copies them on canvas. Good colors. (475-795 euro)...Karin Besser makes construction pieces that are representational figurative. She adds a painting and/or print and sometimes makes it a portrait. She adds well used wood from old window frames and door jambs and old locks. (950-1,500 euro). Closed 26th November.

But the new show, which opened the 3rd of December, is available for your viewing. Rogeir Oversteegen has an unusual style that meanders between representational to geometric abstraction. The imagery is of the interiors and exteriors of buildings and structures with monumental qualities...Wil Blokland does ceramic porcelain work which is both simple and monumental, as well as, elegant in design. (275-600 euro)...Marja Vink makes lines drawings that while representational are also static, quick and with sure strokes...Louis Honée is a photographer of children and the work could be classified as "portraits" but each has an individual setting and the subject is not posed in a traditional way. Every photo has a different perspective and/or emphasis. (350-500 euro)...Marja Pleoger paints city scenes but that's not rally relevant to what you see. IT is her style that gets your attention and holds it. There isn't much color; the paintings are dark, but the geometric abstraction and perspectives is the point. (395-1,295)...At the opening, the galleriest opening speech rally knocked 3D out; but you had to be there to appreciate that meaning. Until 14th January. www.rudolfv.com
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Tidak Takut (Indonesian) is not only just 20 years old, but still at an art academy. His paintings, on exhibition at Willem Kerseboom Gallery (new address: Hazenstraat 11) are very colorful, filled with symbols, typography and there is a figurative element as well. And that's where it gets interesting. The figures are a collection of super hero's, TV characters and comic figures. Think Batman. Takut portrays them as equals to the everyman. There are messages attached. A woman---pictured smoking a cigarette---has a type face reading, "Mom help me...Stop...smoking..." Actually all the paintings on view are a series and can be purchased as such---they are hung as dip-tychs---or separately. www.kerseboom.com
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I don't enjoy reviewing exhibitions at WALLS (Prinsengracht 737) but that's only because there is too much to write with group shows of more than 15 artists. However, I do enjoy the shows. It is a gallery where the artist pay to show; they buy the wall space by the meter. But don't let that scare you because more often than not there are seven, eight, nine, ten or more artists that would qualify for a solo exhibition at the best of Amsterdam galleries. Hey, folks, in Holland the competition is stiff! Generally I describe 10 or more artists. This show I won't describe any because there are too many worthy of mention. Expects lots of drawings. Please check it out, it is worth the trip. Prices start at 100 euro (an original drawing). www.walls.nl
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Gerhasrd Hofland (Bilderdijkstraat 165) shows the large ceramic heads, by Johan Tahon, that have little to do with reality, But they are monumental kinda like what you see on Easter Island....Thom Puckey shows almost life size nudes sculpt from marble. One is dramatic---if not provocative---in the fact that a woman---with a Nazi military hat---is firing a Luger. Impressive...Michael Kirkham is back with his representational figurative paintings with his own unique style which is a mix of real;ism and expressionism if you can picture such a combination. Until 10th December. www.GerhardHofland.com
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Looking for unusual conceptual work? Look no further than the current show at TORCH (Lauriergracht 94). Eldon Garnet translated the philosopher Kant, the Baby Boomer generation and other "items" from the news into bronze signs. He quotes Marilyn Monroe and Warhol, but then "subtitles" some words with "art." Here are some examples: "When money talks no one notices its grammar" and it becomes "When money art talks everyone notices its grammar." Plus: "I have my dead friends." "Hell matters." "Sorry I will always be sorry." there are 58 pieces on display an each in an edition of five; 1,000 to 1,400 euro. Until 24th December. www.torchgallery.com.
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At TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248) is a solo exhibition for Habima Fuchs who makes drawings that could be inspired in style by the miniatures found in the Koran. But he has a more naive quality in his approach. There is also a minimalism in them that give these ink drawings a spontaneity. Also, there are ceramic pieces and he seems to have fun in making them. A couple look like aliens; one resembles a large wild cat; another is sort of a surrealistic piece. Until 17th December. www.tenhaafprojects.com
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PS (NB: Madurastraat 72) shows the work of Ruth Campau (Denmark) who uses mirrors. No, she's not an illusionist. She cuts acrylic mirrors into several geometric configurations, partially paints on the surface then rearranges the sections into complex shapes. The results is often dramatic. But, hey, come to house moving time...Well, 3D presented her with the problem and she replied "No problemo!" Each piece has been attached to a backing and makes it easy. (34x55 cms., acrylic on acrylic board, mirror acrylic, radiant acrylic @ 1,200 euro; 224x342 cms., @ 10,000 euro.) Until 29th January. www.psprojectspace.nl
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There is a new name for Serieuze Zaken Studioos---3D applauds the change; it was such a mouthful---and it's "Meneer Malasch" (NB: Postjeweg 2). The current show is titled "The War On Drag's" and is curated by Martin C de Waal. Nine artists are showing in this exhibition which is based on "a true story" what ever that means. Expect a little of everything from conceptual sculpture work (Silvia B) like her black chimp, holding a black top hat and extracting a black bunny rabbit from it to a panoramic wall painting. The photographic subject matter ranges from body builders to portraits. And there is kitsch under glass. Oil paints and stitched canvases round out the imagery and techniques. Good group show. (450 to 9,200 euro; but there is a CD, by Richenel, "Artist in Exile," priced at 9.99 euro. Seven red dots at opening. Until 29th January. www.meneermalasch.nl
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VERVERS modern & contemporary art gallery (Hazenstraat 54) presents a group show centered on the theme of "Landscape." But that description could not be more misleading because these landscapes are expressed in a variety of styles beginning with conceptual to abstract to expressionistic and includes photography. There is certainly something for everyone. (600 to 7,000 euro). Until 7th January. www.verversgallery.com
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Tala Madani is an Arab and she hangs 25 drawings at SMBA (Rozenstraat 59) and nearly all are w/c on paper. There is a comic strip element to her work both in style and sometimes because of the humor. Several pieces play with b/w contrast and within different, if not unusual, forms. There is a blackout room in which you can see three animated film works. The main one has a beautiful expressionistic composition as its background and the focal point is an animated character doing a dance performance ala Michael Jackson. Nice. Until 5th February. www.smba.nl
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Takako Higashihata (Japan) presents "Moon River" at De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135). This is an unusual show for a gallery that specializes in ceramics because the artist is more than a modler of clay. In fact, she is a conceptualist who---at times---uses the ceramic technique to enhance her concepts. The one clay piece on show is about a meter high and was done in sport the week prior to the shows opening. It is also the center of an installation. I use the term because a projector projects a moving image on the pot. She says her work is mainly concerned with repetition. A table based installation is said to reflect this with its collection of ceramic plates and saucers held together in a weave of celluloid tape. Tow wall installations must speak for themselves. And both are completely different from the other. Until 24th December. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl
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New Jewelry is always featured at Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12) and 3D says it over and over, new jewelry design is hard to describe. This duo show is no exception. Benedikt Fisher does brooches that are over sized. But after that, any description is superfluous. It is kitschy both in design and material, but it is also conceptual and busy. The gallery holder says, "It is a statement of 'Life and Death.'" Hmmmm, but, Okay. (850 to 900 euro). ...Also there is the work of Nhat-Vu Dang and it could not be more different in every way: he works with cardboard and with very simple geometric designs. Some have a color added and another dimension like a pop-up section. 3D thought using cardboard was unique but Koudijs assured me that it had been done 30 years ago, but differently, (475-900 euro). Until 14th January. www.galerierobkoudijs.nl
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BORZO (Keizersgracht 516) is showing once again the sculptured bronzes by Waldemar Otto. He is a master of simplicity when it comes to the human form; much like Henry Moore. There are a few pieces with surrealistic elements to their design. (22 cms., high bronze, Ed. 12/12 @ 2,100 euro; 109 cms., high, bronze, Ed. 6/6 @ 22,000 euro.) In addition to the sculpture work are several pieces hanging form the wall. there are couple of works by Ossip Zadkine (1890-1969) which are mixed media, pastel or watercolor. Also a few Jan Schoonhovens and a very representational Joseph Cornell (American) who made shadow boxes. www.borzo.com
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Alexander-Willem van den Worm is at Galerie Vriend van Bavink (Geldersekade 58) with work that has a cross over style that reflects the Renaissance and comic strip art. Simple lines but poses and representations that are classical and sometimes bring to mind the work of Botticelli. Then there is the provocative that is expressed religiously, erotically and politically. All together in one drawings. Wow!!! Certainly not for every one's taste. the show's title probably says it best, "Saints, Sinners, Sex and Religion." (21x15 cms./, ink on paper @ 250 euro; 48x70 cms., acrylic on paper @ 700 euro; 225x140 cms., acrylic on paper @ 2,100 euro.) Until 31st December. www.vriendvanbavink.nl
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There is a very good group show at Galerie BMB (Kerkstraat 127). About 15 artists and most have had a show at the gallery. There's is truly something for everyone when it comes to styles. But what got 3D's attention were the prices. I will single out works that are really price attractive. Marijke Vijfhuixen does Pop School Warhol type etching on fabric (15x15 cms.,) @ 95 euro; Doreint Plaat does miniatures and caricature-like portraits (18x13 cms.,) @ 195 euro; and Yvon Trossél works in glass and makes kitschy sculptured pieces and does it beautifully @ 145 euro. Until 4th February. www.galeriebmb.nl
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...Its been 35 years since Galerie RA opened its doors for the first time...Time flies when you're having fun. And when you specialize in "new jewelry" you have amble opportunity to have fun. So if you are in to jewelry---new or traditional---or just design, don't miss this exhibition. It is an understatement to say that there is something for everyone. This gallery introduced the concept of "new jewelry" to Amsterdam and continues to redefine the term. New jewelry means using nontraditional materials like wood, plastic, epoxy, fabric, glass, photographs, etc, etc etc. As to design? Well, often the design goes beyond your imagination. What to see! You like rings? They come in glass, plastic, gold, silver, stainless steel and with or without precious stones. Brooches? Every size and description and in a price range that even the frugal buyer will find hard to resist. And let's not forget necklaces; from the serious to the fun. Also available is a book/catalog titled "RA Presents," at 25 euro. www.galeriera.nl
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3D apologizes---once again---for these now infrequent reports on the Amsterdam Art scene. But, again, same problem and that is lack of access to the Internet. Anyway, if you have been reading this newsletter for the last seven years then you already know what are the main and important Amsterdam' galleries and the ones that comply to your taste of style. And as has been my constant reminder, request and or threat is that you MUST buy something. The more often you do so, the better. Now is a perfect time since this is the season for giving a special gift to someone(s) you love. Art is a present that reminds the person receiving this special gift of that love for years to come. And, if you have read this latest posting of the 3D List, there are several galleries offering works of art that anyone can afford. With that said, 3D wished you HAPPPPPPY HOLIDAYS.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

Gould's 3D List: Number 4

2011-11-21T15:20:00.002+01:00

EXTRA EDITION:

PAN is celebrating its 25th edition of offering art, antiques and design---furniture, glass, ceramics, jewelry---to lovers of fine objects, collectors and just your average run of the mill connoisseur. The works on displays begins with examples from 300 B.C. ethnographic to today's avant garde paintings...And everything in between. It is a big fair with 125 exhibitors, but still manageable to see everything in three or four hours. Last year more than 45,000 people attended the nine day event; that number dwarfs the totals for ArtAmsterdam. Needless to say, it is impossible to describe every dealer's offering, but here is an overview; and since the 3D List is mostly concerned with art, the emphasis is on that. And, as 3D says every year, this is a fair where you come with the expressed purpose to dream. So come along with me and dream a little dream or two as we meander through the glamorous aisles that constitute PAN.

At the entrance, you are met with a stunning array of jewelry, objects and paintings. And the PAN always commissions a designer to do an interior decorative theme which is generally expressed with the carpeting. This year is no exception; and the flooring is covered with a vibrant and colorful square pattern. Each square (120x120 cms.) is a monochromatic cobalt blue, magenta red, canary yellow or Royal Dutch orange.

Also, every year, returning galleries are offered the option of maintain their previous position in the giant hall. So, if you have been a habitual visitor over the years, you will know your way around without needing a floor plan---which is, of course, available. At the entrance, and on the right is Kunsthandel A.H. Bies (Eindhoven) with a range of oil paintings from the 18th century to early 20th century. And to the left, there is Salomon Studel Antiquites (Amsterdam) with classical Dutch furniture, porcelain, silver and clocks. And next next door is the booth for Salomon Lilian (Amsterdam) where you can see a Jan Steen oil on offer at 1.8 million euro.

New, this year, is a circular vitrine that, as you enter, you find yourself on a collision course with it. It is something very special. It contains 25 tiaras and diademens. They represent a time period range of 2,300 years---the earliest is from the 3rd century B.C. and is Greek. They are from the collections of Mellerio dits Meller (Paris), ABN Amro, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, Allard Pierson Museum (Amsterdam) and various private collections. (There is a catalog, for the exhibition, and it contains 16 pages describing each piece on display.)

A little further on is Aronson Antiquaries (Amsterdam) which will make any Dutch dairy farmer droll. The dealer features a wall of Delft Blue porcelain cows all from the 18th century; a total of 24; and all in mint condition. Amazing!

I think it is only at PAN that you can encounter an antiquarian dealer like Jan Roelops (Amsterdam)---showing objects from the 16th century and a contemporary painting featuring a pretty lady, in a red lace bra, that measures 245x145 cms. On a table, along the back wall, is an 16th century Mondonna sitting beneath a 1960s abstract painting....Almost directly across the aisle is art work from the Madalon Eekels Kunsthandel (Blaricum) with avant garde paintings spanning the 20th century. Most notable are several works by Karin van Leyden (1906-1877) and Jan Roëde (1914-2007).

And what Dutch person doesn´t have concerns about the weather? Well, you do need a barometer. Check out Fontijn Antiek (Purmerend) that is displaying 80 examples from 1720 to 1860, both Dutch and English... Need a rug for the hallway? Try N. Vrouyr (Antwerp) they have just the thing with a beautiful cross selection of Art Deco rugs from the early 20th century made in Holland, Belgium and Finland.

For the lovers of realistic art don´t miss Lieve Hemel´s large display of their gallery´s artists. This is perhaps the most successful gallery in Amsterdam if only because it has been in business since 1969 and at the direction of the same person. You will see miniatures to average size canvases. And realism comes in several forms ranging from those with impressionistic overtones to hyper realism. You will see examples of all of them. Expect cows, still lifes, flowers, vegetables, figurative...Well, just everything...Nearby Tom Okker shows an exceptional overview of the COBRA school.

3D won't even try to begin describing the wonders of design art you will see at "Priveekollektie: Contemporary Art/Design" (Heusden aan de Maas). Check out the surreal-like wall table made in Paris....And there is even Australian Aboriginal Art at Leslie Smith (Amsterdam). Examples from the traditional to "avant garde."... Three very nice etchings by Louis I'cart (1888-1951) hang above Art Deco glass work and end tables at Galerie Tiny Esveld (Antwerp) along with lamps by Gallé and Daum...Across the way is Hutei Japanese Prints (Leiden) that not only exhibits traditional Japanese prints from the 19th century but includes contemporary Japanese print work as well. Look for the Yasui Sotaro (1888-1955) piece that's style is Pop School before there was a Pop School. Cool!...More Art Deco pieces can be seen at Antes Art 1900 which features lamps by Charles Schneider (1858-1935) and both Nancy and Louis Daum.

Carla Koch presents an exceptional range of ceramic work. Check out Barbara Naning's glass work that comes both in monochromatic white and b/w. It is to representational as Alice in Wonderland is to reality...E. Pranger Oriental Art (Amsterdam) begins with figurative clay pieces from 200 A.D. to the 19th century...Wonderwood (Amsterdam) began with a collection of vintage plywood and that still remains as a primary criteria. But the gallery has evolved into one that shows contemporary plywood to art and sculpturing that compliments it. At PAN they are featuring the work of Joroen Henneman...Kunsthandle Frans Jacobs (Amsterdam-Paris) has gone to the dogs. Literally! They feature eight canines represented as avant garde sculpture pieces. Hey, I was told that they come "house broken" and at no extra cost.

Galerie Willy Schoot (Eindhoven) shows three works by Willem Hussem as well as Jef Diedren, Armando and seven works by Raquel Maulwurf....Art Affairs (Amsterdam) offers several works of the 60s Zero movement. Most examples are in monochromatic white....Several pieces by the international acclaimed artist Christo are showing at MDZ Art Gallery (Knokke) along with COBRA work....Gallery Jaski (Amsterdam) presents an excellent overview of artists represented by the gallery. Included are several works by members of the COBRA school...Witzenhausen Gallery (Amsterdam-New York) emphasizes their photographic artists...Studio 2000 (Blaricum) covers the traditional artists of the early 20th century. From the notables to lesser known...Gallery Willem Kerseboom (Amsterdam) specializes in contemporary Chinese and Indonesian artists. Expect to see Chinese who emulate the Pop School and there is even a work that brings to mind Jackson Pollak, but with Asian nuances. In addition, on display, for the fair, is an eastern European abstract work by Xanti Schawinsky done in 1927...

Eduard Planting Fine Art Photography (Amsterdam) exhibits a wide range of styles from Chinese contemporary to avant garde to classical inspired to "art" photography. Still lifes and flowers are also available. A few b/w pieces on display...Galerie Ron Mandos (Amsterdam) shows a pot-pori of their gallery' represented artists. That means that there is a wide variety of both styles and techniques. Work from "Artist Anonymous" (a London/Berlin collective), Katinka Lampe, Silva B, Anthony Goicolea and Bouke de Vries are to be seen.

Well, as I said, this is only an overview. So much more to be seen and there is only one way for you to do so: GO!!! You have until Sunday the 27th of November, but do try and avoid the weekend dates since the crowds can be suffocating. Readers will note that I have excluded prices with the lone exception of the Jan Steen. 3D has done so because in your dreams the cost should be irrelevant...And that is as it should be. So, come to PAN and dream, dream and dream on

From Sunday 20th November to Sunday 27th November @ the RAI.

Entry: 15.00 euro.

CJP or 65+: 12.50 euro

12 to 18 years old: 7.50. (children to 12, FREE.)

Catalog: 12.50 and well worth the price. 340 pages of high quality reproductions on glossy paper. .

RESTAURANT REVIEW:

Perhaps 3D should title this: In Search of the Elusive Lobster. A year ago, I wrote a rather scatting review of what I had once considered an outstanding Amsterdam' restaurant that specialized in fish and sea food. It had been a special occasion and I had ordered the lobster which turned out to be a "chicken" lobster which is the smallest legal one allowed to be harvested. It was, to say the least, a disappointment. This year---same spacial occasion---I tried a relatively new fish/sea food restaurant and one that Johannes van Dam had rated at 10. Wow! That's saying something. An advert, I saw, said "that Bridges is all about fish...always in season...with a French twist."

BRIDGES (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197; the Grand Hotel), promotes not only the quality of its ingredients but also the fact that the chef, Aurélien Poirot, "only adds few ingredients to the fish, thereby leaving the taste and character of the fish as pure and light as possible." Indeed, there was neither salt nor pepper on the table. I like that approach.

As I passed through the entrance, a very attractive lady seemed to emerge from out of no-where. I was asked, "Do you have a reservation?" And I excused myself by pointing out that since it was a Monday I assumed I would not need one. "No problem" and she asked "How many?"

My mouth was watering for lobster. Since that disappointing event a year ago, I felt the need to try once again to satisfy the salivary glands and craving. I was handed the menu and had also pre-decided that, for a starter, I would have lobster bisque. Hey, an orgy of lobster...Life doesn't get any better. Whooops! Under soup there was no lobster bisque. Well, I'll get back to the soup; maybe have a non-soup starter. And there, under "starter's," I saw it: "Lobster, 1/2 @ 23 euro." Uh oh! I went to the entree section and quickly scanned that. No lobster as an entree. That was ominous. Suspicion entered my mind and when the waiter came to take my order I said, "I only see lobster as a starter. Does that mean it's a chicken lobster?" He replied that it was from Canada. I skipped the culinary lesson and asked him how much the whole lobster weighed. He said he would check with the kitchen. The reply was plus or minus 500 grams. Damn, another chicken lobster. Well, I said I would need more time to study the menu.

It is a good listing and even includes several varieties of caviar---if you are wont to pay the price. I was asked if I would like a pre-dinner drink and requested sparkling water instead. I was served a half litre bottle of Badoit and at room temperature. I prefer it cold. Perhaps offering a choice would be a nice option. Shortly, thereafter, I was served an "amuse" (sampling) consisting of cold scallops covered with sea salt and sesame seeds and three cold mussels. Tasty, but not mind blowing. But a second serving of an amuse did get my attention. It was a complex dish of "salty vegetables" which I have had no previous acquaintance, a mild horseradish mousse, marinated mackerel sitting atop a sweet potato jelly. The flavors were great though the sweet potato jelly was overwhelmed and not determinable. Overall, very good!

I had decided to have a soup over a cold or warm starter and selected the bisque of Velvet Crab with Cappuccino of Coffee (@ 14.00 euro). I was curious about the combination. I mean, I like crab and I like coffee. But, together? According to the menu, the restaurant's sommelier suggested a Chablis Vieilles Vignes, Hamlin, Yonne, Bourgogne (@ 8 euro) as a perfect compliment. Well, the soups broth was rich in cream with a good coffee flavor but, unfortunately, it over-powered the delicate flavors of the crab. I came away with mixed opinions, but knew I wouldn't be asking for it again. And, now that I think about it, ironically it was a combination that the restaurant's promotion said it would avoid. To wit: "only add few ingredients...leaving the taste and character as pure and light as possible." However, the cold crisp white wine was a good recommendation.

For the main course, I had selected Monkfish with Baby Clams (@34.00 euro). And good news, the fish was succulent and cooked perfectly. The clams were more of an after thought but went down easy. Shimeji mushrooms swam innocently in broth that burst with flavors. Broad beans and palourcle pasta with black garlic floated at the bottom of the plate. The garlic was so understated that it was neutral. I was licking my lips after finishing. I had decided to stay with the menu's selection for a compatible wine and the Pieropan, Souve Classic, Vento (@ 9.00 euro) proved it to be the right recommendation.

From time to time, a server came by each table with a bread basket. While the bread was good, it was not exceptional and a nice touch would have been to offer it warmed.

Dessert! The crowning touch. Do all quality restaurants---even the wannabees---do exceptional desserts these days? Hey, no complaints from yours truly. I do have a sweet tooth; or perhaps, more accurately, a tooth for a rich tasting ambrosia. I ordered the Chocolate Fondant and got more than I had expected. A fondant is like a miniature souffle. This one was luscious with chocolate flavors and had the lightness of a lazy cloud on a warm summer afternoon. A small scoop of mocha ice cream on a thin wafer made me wish for more. Then there was a small scoop of mocha mousse which didn't take a backseat to anything. A smear of caramel, on the plate, was just a teaser. We want more! And, if that's not enough to send you into ecstasy, there was a five centimeter long stick of chocolate fudge caramel. And just enough to let you know, you had had enough! (@ 14.00). I had passed on the dessert wine that was recommended but, in the end, decided that that had been a mistake. It would have definitely intensified the taste and detectability of everything.

As I said, at the beginning, Johannes van Dam is quoted, in one of the restaurants adverts, as awarding his meal a 10 on the one to 10 scale. I don't do numbers, but if I were I would rate my experience an 8.5. Well, after all, it was a Monday night. Perhaps the kitchen had not got into the swing of things. Definitely a restaurant I would eat at again. You can dress casually; and a young couple, with a three month old baby, sat across from me. The ambiance is cozy while contemporary modern at the same time.

Total Bill: 84.00 euro

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam 2011

Gould's 3D List: Number 3

2011-10-29T15:24:00.003+02:00

Gould's 3D List: Number 3

Well, maybe, just maybe, 3D was being too pessimistic and foreseeing a disastrous Amsterdam Art Season for 2011-2012. During the last few weeks RED DOTS have been popping up here and there. Perhaps not in the numbers of previous years, nor with the same frequency, but RED DOTS are RED DOTS: A work has been sold. That, folks, is what it is all about. Buy a work of art and you support an artist and in many cases the artist' family not to mention the gallerist.

(N.B. 3D missed two weekends of opening and was delayed in compiling this list for health related reasons.)

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Museum Review: Stadsarchief Amsterdam

Music Review: The STEIM Festival

What You Missed During The Last Few Weeks:

BITS & PIECES:

Paris Photo's 15th Edition is from the 10th to the 13th of November at the Grand Palais with 135 exhibitors participating.
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BERM Ateliers (Krugerplein 36a) is "looking for artists, writers, performers and other creatives for weekly changing exhibitions, opening parties, lectures, dating with galleries [sic], and other events." More info at: www.bermcollectief.blogspot.com; FACEBOOK: BeRM Collectief.
***
The "Top 10 Toilets" in the world? Well, Europe dominates the list, but the Number 1 toilet is at NYC's Bryant Park which is the green area next to NYC main public library at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street. It "features classical music, fresh flowers and even an attendant...it is also spotlessly clean." See the other nine at: www.VirtualTourist.com.
***
A review of the MoMA's (NYC) Willem de Kooning retrospective, by Holland Cotter, begins with "The Museum of Modern Art has never known what to do with Willem de Kooning..." (www.iht.com, 20th September.)
***
Words of wisdom from the world of golf. "A gushing sports reporter was interviewing Jack Nicklaus. 'Jack, you're the greatest golfer of all time. You really know your way around a golf course. What's your secret?'" Nicklaus looked at him seriously and replied with a shrug, "The holes are numbered."
***
ATTN: Wine lovers; The Int Herald Tribune wine critic suggest two cheaply priced Bordeaux reds: 2009, Chateau Fleur Haut Gauseens, Bordeaux Superieur @ 6.50 euro; and 2009, Chateau Larose-Trintaudon Haut-Medoc @ 9.50 euro.
***
A sign of the times...Gallery LL (Koninginnenweg 83) has had for several weeks two large signs in their window announcing "SALE." They show the COBRA group, Dali, Brood, Picasso and Miro.
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The AAF (Affordable Art Fair) began on the 26th of October with a preview for invited guest. It will conclude on Sunday the 30th of October. The hours are from 11-18:00. Admission is 13 euro and with discount card 11 euro. The AAF officials promote the fair by saying ALL works are between 100 to 5,000 euro. NOT TRUE!!! There are several works, in years past, that have sold for 15, 25 or 50 euro. Hey, anyone can afford a work of ART!!! Go see for yourself. www.affordableartfair.nl.
***
3D got it WRONG, again...A little over a year ago, I proclaimed the then newly formed government would not last a year. However, a few weeks ago, it celebrated its first anniversary. Pity!!!

...And did you read that the powers to be at the European Union has cautioned both Germany and Holland to rescind budgetary cuts. It said that both their houses were in order and to make the proposed cuts might be disastrous to the overall economy. They got that right!
***

MUSEUM REVIEW:

Once a year, the Stadsarchief Amsterdam (Vijzelstraat 32) sponsors a competition for photographers. The ask them using the camera's eye to document and/or map the city. This year, the winner was Erik Klien Wolterink who captured the city's multinational population in a novel way.

It would seem that the the range of themes for photographic' series are without limit. And Wolterink makes a good case for this contention. His subject matter is a rather banal; he pictures: kitchens. That's it...almost. Of course, the kitchen is often the center of a family's activities therefore that alone makes it a worthy of attention. However, Wolterink's emphasis is not on the family but on the essentials of the kitchen: pots & pans, grocery items (canned, boxed & sacked), dishes & glasses, stove, refrigerator, etc. But he doesn't merely photograph the kitchen as we see it. Instead, he removes the cabinet doors, as well as the refrigerator and stove doors. He photographs each element separately. Nor does he try to "dress up" the scene; you will see a sink piled high with dirty dishes. And the multicultural aspect? The kitchens reflect Amsterdam's ethnic population. In a Turkish kitchen you will see halal sausage sitting next to a box with a mix for Dutch home made apple pie.

Because he photos everything separately it becomes necessary to form a final montage that unifies the composition. 3D, by chance, saw him setting up the exhibition. He was composing a large montage photograph on a wall. Each section was a different geometric shape: square or rectangle. And this is the avant garde factor since, in essence, you are looking at a linear geometric/abstraction. Cool.

The opening was also an occasion for a book presentation. The book,"Kitchen Portraits," (240 pages in color), is 25 euro and available at the Stadsarchief's bookshop. Until 4th December. FREE.

...And while you are there check out "From Amstel to Zeedijk" and installation describing the Amsterdam water system and its development. It is interactive in that there is a detailed and huge map of Amsterdam on the floor. You can "walk" the city. At first, 3D was disappointed that all the liner notes were only in Dutch. Then I noticed, on a table, to the side, there was a booklet, by the same title, which is in English and only English. It is packed with historical and current information. FREE.
***

MUSIC REVIEW:

When I mentioned the name STEIM to people in the arts---an specifically music---more times than not they just stare back at me without expression. The name means nothing. Strange since "for 42 years STEIM has helped local and international artists build their own dream instruments." And during that period STEIM has sponsored hundreds of performances most presented for FREE, The rest with an entrance fee from five to ten euros. Whether it was FREE or you have to pay, you get more than your money's worth.

But, of course, what STEIM presents in its programs is difficult to categorize. Several years ago, a young man, in his 20s, came up to 3D after a performance and said, "In my opinion, that wasn't music!" 3D replied, "Well, if you define music as having a beat, rhythm and/or melody, then it is not music. But it is sounds; and I like sounds." It has since been clarified, to 3D, that, presently, there are three classifications for that which is aural: music, sounds and noise. Yes, noise. Of course, what is noise to one person is a lullaby to another.

Last week, STEIM presented "New festival for adventurous electronic music in Amsterdam" at the Frescati. Three days of concerts, symposiums and workshops. 3D did not attend any of the two latter events, but was there for all the concerts. One thing that defines this new way of presenting sounds is that it is more often than not done with one person or two at the most. Electronics have replaced the band, but there is still the occasional guitar doing tricks that you can't imagine until you have seen it happen. Or the Japanese performer, Fuyuki Yamakana, who played the cymbals with his foot; he had the moves and speed of a Thai kick boxer. Nina Boas who drew figurative forms on paper, cut them out, "videoed" them, animated it all and sang background to her creations. What a performance. Then there was an American, Jessica Ryland, who is working on a graduate degree in electronic engineering, who created a piece on a synthesizer and at one point, got up and walked around the sound board a couple of times. She said she would watch her dog do this before plopping on the floor in a comfortable position. So, when she is stuck, in her improvised performance, she emulates the dog. Hey, why not? Dogs are smart.

Takuro Mizuta Lippit who was the moderator/MC, for all three nights, finally did his thing on the final night. He used traditional LPs---yeah, vinyl still exist. But, of course, he "played" them differently. Moldover, from San Francisco, also approached his music from a traditional direction by using a guitar. But the guitar was hooked to a sound board and when the two interacted and, with Moldover's directions, we got lots of sounds. And there was more; lots more.

It is probably worth noting here that STEIM---and more than likely---this festival is in danger of extinction with the announced cuts in cultural funding. I was told afterwards that the festival was a financial success, but it was the STEIM organization that questions its viability to survive. It is ironic that STEIM is better known on the international electronic music circuit than it is in the Netherlands. The program consisted of several people from many countries. They were paid a moderate sum to come here for their performance and provided transportation cost and housing. But the Frescati isn't a FREE venue site. On a positive note, the three concerts were all sold out and, as I said, the three day festival paid for itself.

WHAT YOU MISSED DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS:

Rob Malasch has settled into his new location at Postjeweg 2; and the gallery is called: Malsch & Moore-Amsterdam Arts Lab. Fancy that. The first exhibition was coordinated with the Wendigen/Barsjeweg Open Atelier weekend. The show was a group presentation of the gallery's stable of artist. Malasch is promoting the new location thusly: "Images, media, action, noise, visions, events" and as always all with the Malasch Magic Touch. You can check out the new space on the 29th October (Saturday) from 16-20:00 for the second opening. www.meneermalasch.nl
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KOCHxBOS (1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 5) has a photograph in its window. It is a self portrait of Sarah Mapel(UK)and written on the photo is "This exhibition is shit." Hmmmm. What to make of that? Inside, there is a canvas containing only typography and the script reads "You could have done this." She got that right. And still another photo, again, a self portrait, says "This picture took me at least 10 minutes." Hey, folks, it's that kind of show. All the works---photography and paintings---are self portraits and for the most part with humor, provocative or an ironic touch. The two paintings have a naïve quality. In one, she wears a head covering----her mother is Irania and a Muslim---but she bares one breast. Oh, yeah, it ain't her breast. She used one from Kate Moss as the model. Until 15th October. Damn, forgot to check the price list. I guess the work distracted me. www.kochxbos.com
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Lucassen is at A-Gallery (Konijnenstraat 16A). 3D assumes that most readers, of this list, are familiar with him; he's been on the Amsterdam' art scene for 50 or more years. He is a conceptualist who more often than not reinvents reality. And he does it in a variety of ways that range from the iconic to the ridiculous and with everything in between. Whether you hang it on the wall or set it on the floor every piece is an "object." It makes you think, or makes you laugh or makes you frown. It is sometimes profane, provocative, perverse, political and sometimes even pretentious. This exhibition is an excellent opportunity to see a wide range of expressions by Lucassen with the 39 works showing done between 2001 and 2011. (39x29 cms., Multiple, Ed. 20, 892 euro; 20x20 cms., oil on canvas @ 275 euro; 61x50 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,575 euro; 44x38 cms., assemblage @ 5,652 euro; installation @ 10,710 euro.) Until 27th November. www.a-gallery.nl
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Marc Faasse is at Galerie Vriend van Bavink (Geldersekade 58) with his photos. And Faasse has a unique photographic technique which hearkens back, in a way, to the 19th century American artists that did "Bird's Eye View" drawings of villages. He up dates this technique into 21st century terms. Faasse selects a street intersection or square filled with people. Using a fishing pole, he mounts a digital camera at its end and holds the pole about eight meters above the fray. He then takes individual photos with the assistance of a remote control. Later, and using PhotoShop, he creates a montage of the scene with cool results. (All photos in two editions/sizes. Each edition is 10. 46x40 cms., @ 450, 78x67 cms., @ 1,000 euro; 190x79 cms., @ 3,200 euro; 319 cms., x 133 cms., @ 7,250 euro.) Until ??? www.vriendvanbavink.nl
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Roger Raveel is alive and well---at 90 years---and showing at Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843). It is a great show to see. His style ranges from the figurative, to the geometric/abstract to the conceptual and sometimes he gets it all confused and mixed together and comes up with something new and unique. 3D missed the opening, but got there a few weeks later and was overjoyed to count 14 RED DOTS. Art lovers are still in awe of this Belgium artists and there is a reason. Check out that reason for yourself until 1st October...Damn, it's too late. Sorry about that. www.galerie-clement.nl
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...And here's another show that 3D is late in reporting on. Alice Braat, with an exhibition titled "Les Creatures vivant," was at Brandt (Prinsengracht 799) with her photographs of fowl and animals. "Hey," you say, "I can do that!" Indeed, with the completely automatic electronic digital state of cameras being manufactured, today, all you gotta do is aim and press a button. But after you have viewed Braat's photos of cats, turkeys, owls, etc you'll wonder what you did wrong? She uses an Hasselblat camera for one thing and very professional lighting for another. the results of this combination are clearly evident: you can count the hairs on the deer. Beautiful work; and she is only one year out of the photo academy. (All photos in two sizes an each with an edition of 8; 46x60 cms., ultra chrome print on dibond @ 1,450 euro; 77x100 cms., ultra chrome print on dibond @ 1,950 euro.) Closed 2nd October. www,galeriebrandt.com
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For the next few weeks RETORT ART SPACE (Aalsmeerweg 103) gives over its space to students of the Rietveld Academy. Each show runs from Thursday until the following Sunday. The "opening" is on Sunday, the closing day of the show. Go figure! Each show features five young "artists" (3D uses inverted commas because since they have yet to graduate are they yet artists? Check it out for yourself and decide for yourself.) www.retortartspace.nl
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An installation is the highlight of a show at Soledad Senlle Gallery (Sloterkade 171) by Saskia Noor van Imhoff. The installation is an enclosure within the gallery space. At the entrance to the enclosure there are various objects. The artist told 3D that they relate and/or symbolize elements of the neighborhood. When 3D tried to clarify some of the imagery, to gain an understanding of how the pieces related, he was told "It's the way I see it!" Okay. Anyway, the main part of the installation is a "white room." You walk through an assembled hallway with Styrofoam "walls" for four meters and come to a stop at what you have perceived to be a "white wall." But the "white wall" is an illusion---a demarcation line indicates the spot where you must stop. You can now perceive a "white room," but there is no sense of depth or other dimensions. However, in reality, the room itself is four meters in depth. It is a clever illusion that demonstrates both "an end" and "infinity." Clever! Until 30th October. www.soledad.nl
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Galerie BMB (Kerkstraaat 135) presents a group show of four artists around a very simple theme. All four went to Tuscany (Italy), on a grant, to immerse themselves in its topography and cultural environment. This show is a result of those influences. Baukje Spaltro is back for the nth time, at this gallery, and with a major change in her style. The minimalism of two earlier styles has been replaced with not only more detail but also a profusion of color. She says the impetus to both was love and marriage. The imagery is basically vague landscapes inspired by Tuscany. (65x200 cms., mixed-media on linen @ 3,500 euro.) ...Peter van den Akker also does landscape and scenes from the nature, of the area, but there is an element of abstraction that differentiates it from the mundane versions. As to color, he favors green. (45x60 cms., acrylic + tempera, collage on canvas @ 1,200 euro.)

Yvonne Schroeten is a representational expressionist with geometric/abstract nuances. The results are landscapes that are almost surreal. (50x50 cms., acrylic + ink on canvas @ 675 euro; 160x120 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 3,200 euro.)...Reneir Vaessen displays an epic work of a tree (pencil on paper + collage) that measures 10 meters long by 150 cms., wide (@13,000 euro). You can't really see it since it is on its side and meanders around two post at the center of the gallery space. But the impression you come away with is the desire to see it fully extended. A painting of an olive tree branch is evocative of Van Gogh when he was at the asylum at Arles, but it is in no way derivative; nor is it impressionistic, but a complete reworking of Van Gogh's view. The colors are completely independent from those of the master. (100x150 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 4,800 euro.) Until 22nd October. www.bmb.nl
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Fer Hakkaart, showing at PETIT (NZ Voorburgwal 270), does simple figurative line drawings that's style is reminiscent of the German Expressionist Grosz. However, another series is more developed and hark back to the 18th century English' satirists like William Hogarth. And you will see the resemblance not only in some of the group scenes but also in the grotesque elements of the individuals. (675 - 1,250 euro.) ...Harry de Leeuw shows his metal/bronze sculpture work. The imagery ranges from small "villages" on mountain tops or on stilts to a naked tree set on a maze etched into the metal. Until 19th October. www.galeriepetit.nl
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At De Brakke Grond (New 45) is a show titled "California Dreaming" featuring work by Arno Roncada. Nice title! But how it applies to the exhibition is any one's guess. This is not a criticism, just an observation. There is a series of architectural photographs with the theme gated/walled housing. The emphasis is on the geometric composition. Strong linear elements that define the imagery. Another series is b/w interiors and, again, the selection of examples was made for their geometric aspects.

Other photos looks as if Roncade had followed the US Border Patrol on their nightly rounds to seek out illegal aliens crossing into the USofA. In another gallery, the architectural aspect continues but in a larger format with photos as big as 250x300 cms. Two interesting videos are live streams from www.BlueServo.net. You can monitor---in real time---"suspicious activity along the border via this virtual fence." Until 5th November.
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Boekie Woekie (Berenstraat 16) had a book presentation---3D would guess that's what you would expect from a book shop---for Martyn Last and Henk Wijnen. The book is offered in two distinct packages: a box set---Edition 10---that includes a framed photo/collage and a slice of artificial grass signed by Bob Dylan @ 400 euro; and a regular edition which is not yet available. Unfortunately, 3D can only report on the design and layout since the editorial content is only in Dutch. It seems to be a story of two artist from working state to drunken state. Well illustrated with numerous photos in addition to sketches and whatnot's. The mass market edition till be limited to 500 copies and will include a photograph cut-out tip-in. Also available is a limited edition of photos @ 200 euro. www.boekiewoekie.com
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Anja Ganster (German) is exhibiting at LOCUSLUX GALLERY (Brouwersgracht 151) under the title "The Visitor." She paints interior and exterior scenes of buildings. But that tells you absolutely nothing. These representational images have a strong element of geometric/abstraction. One, in particular, is overwhelmingly so. It vibrates! However, what is endearing, not to mention, attention getting is her use of light and its relationship to color. An interior view of a hallway---could be a school---is an array of pastel hues with lighting effects that radiates through the imagery. Good work! (24x30 acrylic and oil on canvas @ 1,750 euro; 150x200 cms., acrylic and oil on canvas @ 12,500 euro.) Until 4th November. www.locusluxams.com
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Cole Morgan is a fellow American and like 3D has lived in Europe for the last 30+ years. Until 15 years ago, home was Den Haag; he now resides in Antwerp. And for most of those 30 years, 3D has been following his development. He is a conceptualist in the overall sense of the word but with that said he can also be called figurative and abstract and with a lot in between. This show is special in several respects because it reflects Morgan's style from the beginning, middle and up to a new approach. The work ranges from minimal to detailed. A beautify example of geometric/abstraction is a large work with about 60 irregular egg shaped objects in b/w pin stripes. There are set off by a wash cobalt blue background. Then there is the new style. On a large canvas with large USofA' silver dollar size disk that appear to be wax seals laid against a dark ochre background. It is a show were one artist' work will appeal to several collectors each with different taste. (37x37 cms., mix technique on canvas @ 6,00 euro; 100x100 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 13,000 euro; 180x140 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 24,000 euro.) Until 16th. October. www.jaski.nl
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And you think you have seen everything...But what's so exciting about ART is that you haven't...YET! A good example of this axiom can be seen at Galerie Van ZijllLanghout in a show titled "Breathonics," by the duo Freudenthal & Verhagen. They introduce a new technique to art. It was inspired by an article about how dogs have a smell that is 200xs more sensitive than humans. So they hang a photo transferred to silk and if you concentrate you will see the dog's breast expand as if it is breathing. (140x105 cms., photo on silk @ 4,000 euro.) Until 20th November.
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Hurry, hurry, hurry because the exhibition for Daan Remmerts de Vries closes on the 30th of October at WGKunst (M. van Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 28). In principle you would describe his work as that of an illustrator. It would be perfect for a children's book; but an adult would appreciate it as much as the tiny tot. That's because---aside from his natural coordination of colors---there is intelligence in the figurative as well as the thrill of discovery in the subtle imagery and composition. Several w/c-gouaches pay homage to Wassily Kandinsky and both in a seriously and humorous way and always with respect. Basically his figuration is cartoon style but that only enhances the conceptual aspects. Good Work! Those are the exact words from 3D's notes. After I had jotted them down I introduced myself to the artist and discovered that I was right-on about the children's book aspect. That's what he does for a living. None of the hanging examples were for sale and the exhibition was more of a "book presentation." Three are children's books and one is a novel by the artist: "Droomkonijn" @ 13.95 euro; "Monstermuis" @ 13.95 euro; "Meneer Kandinsky Was Schilder" @ 13.95; and "Voordat Jij Er Was" @ 14.95 euro. www.wgkunst.nl
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...And just across the street at PuntWG (M. an Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 15) was an exhibition for Hedwig van der Heiden and Peter Breed. The former is an abstract expressionist who does NOT rely on color for effect. Instead, she layers her imagery so that she achieves a two dimensional composition. The expressionism---those wild slashes and splashes of color---only serve as a background to an irregular and chaotic linear abstraction. The tension, at times, makes you dizzy. (A4 pencil drawing @ 150 euro; 60x70 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,300 euro.) ...Peter Breed does bronze and plaster statues that have a monumental features: elongated figurative on a base. The subject matter ranges from clowns to bunny rabbits. But what sets of the work is the simple finger work that shapes the figure. Crude and raw, but effective in making the banal unique. (plaster @ 150 euro; bronze @ 2,300 euro.) Closed 25th October...Sorry.
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The frost is on the pumpkin...So now's the time to bring a little warmth into your home: BUY ART!!! Hey, it's that easy. Kid you not.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

Gould's 3D List: Number 2

2011-09-22T19:34:00.002+02:00

Gould's 3D List: Number 2

The weekend of the10th September was more or less the official beginning of Amsterdam's new Art Season 2011-2012. But where were the crowds? A few galleries did have a good attendance, but this was NOT the rule. Of course, Open Monument Day was both Saturday and Sunday and perhaps some of those people opted for the spacial classical buildings over pretty pictures. There was a silver lining though, two galleries had three red dots or more. Not much to brag about, but you gotta wag the flag whenever possible...Or something like that.

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Museum Review:

What You Missed Last Week:

BITS & PIECES:

Between the 26th (Monday) and the 28th of September, STEIM offers five individual sound/music workshops. Some are FREE for those attending the three day festival. What to expect: "Glitch Art Workshop. Learn about Glitch file formats and basic data bending technique. Defile your files and create beautiful works of art by exploiting the errors of digital storage formats." More info at: www.patternsandpleasure.com
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WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

Gineke Zikken hangs oils at Art A Casa (Kerkstraat 411). She paints landscapes in addition to Amsterdam scenes. In a sense, while there are clearly representational, there are geometric abstractions. The defining forms tend to be strongly colored rectangles. It has much to do with her technique of using a palette knife. The results is imagery that you see from two perspectives: reality versus abstraction. (20x40 cms., @ 680 euro; 40x80 cms., @ 1,440; 120x80 cms., @ 2,800 euro.) Four RED DOTS. Until ??? www.artacasa.nl
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Wessel Huisman is back at Galerie Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570) for his fifth (or more) appearance. He paints cityscape's---New York and Amsterdam---but that is not what his work is all about. All the paintings are in b/w. And, in a way, the imagery is subliminal. That is, it is not detailed architecturally but in another way it is very detailed in its geometric abstraction. You will also see a few interiors of great halls. People are represented but, again, they are little more than an added abstraction. (140x180 cms.,, acrylic in linen, 8,400 euro; 110x150 cms., acrylic on linen @ 6,600 euro.) Until 9th October. www.galerierademakers.nl
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"Plastic Drift" is the title of an exhibition for Sarah Laure Engelhard at the new gallery "gCH" (Galerie Cultural Speech) located at Postjeweg 6. At first glance, you assume that Engelhard relies on PhotoShop for these sometimes eerie photographs. Not so! In fact, she poses the scenes. Nothing unusual about that except for one thing, she "poses" the shots underwater. She roams the beaches of the world collecting the plastic debris that washes up to the shoreline. She then scuba dives and swims the ocean floor looking for the right location. Sometimes what you see is a floating Spa-like bottle caught floating in a current; a colander that could be used as a basketball hoop; toys or a laundry baskets. The result is almost surrealistic and an illusion-like composition sometimes accompany with garish colors. Of course, she is also making an environmental statement: Pollution. It may look good on film, but it is still an eyesore and especially if your a fish. There are also four photographs that are back lit. (35.5x47 cms., C-print, dibond, epoxy, aluminum Ed. 15 550; 50x67 cms., ditto C-print etc Ed 10 @ 850 euro; 60x77 cms., ditto C-print etc Ed. 10 @ 1,075 euro.) Until 14th October. www.gcs-art.eu
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"C&H art space" (2e Kostverlorenkade 50) is showing Wouter Klein Velderman''s conceptual objects/wall hangings. The wall hangings are geometric/abstractions comprised of say 24 squares and each measuring 10x10x3 cms. The colors range from cream colored shades to shades of white and one has about three shades of green. A standing object is a crudely constructed vitrine with two staffs of carved wood. (78x178x23 cms., lac, synthetic silk, PVC, paper & metal structure @ 2,800 euro; 90x180x58 cms., ditto as before @ 4,400 euro.) Until 22nd October. www.ch-artspace.com
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Hiroku Tsukuda (Japan) is at TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248) with dramatic b/w ink drawings. All the work is representational; all the work is geometric/abstraction; all is conceptual. Maybe only a Japanese artist could manage to interject all three of these styles in one composition. The imagery has two subjects: Women and architecture. The women are adorned, fashion wise, like a pin-up. But their "faces" are geometric abstractions. The architectural drawings are meticulous in their perspective element. A few, at first, you assume to be a geometric/abstraction but when you give it time the building's form emerges. (53.5x37.5 cms., black ink on paper @ 700 euro; 150x115 cms., black ink on paper @ 2,500 euro; 115x200 cms., black ink on paper @ 4,000 euro.) Until 22nd September. www.tenhaafprojects.com
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An American, Dan Walsh, is at SLEWE (Kerkstraat 105) with an exhibition that leaves 3D speechless---more accurately, wordless. The show's title is "Time Trials" and "Walsh assembled a collection of objects and visual aides (found and made) creating scenarios or concentrated tableaux to help look at the subject of time." Well, that''s what it is all about, but the explanation doesn''t even hint at what you will see. 3D won''t spoil the fun by even trying. This is his fourth show at the gallery. (51x117 cms., gold and copper triptych, metallic paper @ 4,500 euro; 70x70 cms., mixed-media on metallic paper @ 8,000 euro.)
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This may be the shortest review 3D has written. I arrived at TORCH (Lauriegracht 94) just as the back gallery lights were turned off. The artist is Philip Akkerman with his recent portrait paintings. He plays with style. You will see series in which the same person is pictured but each piece is very different while remaining very much the same. A series of 15 could best be described as grotesque; the portraits are akin to human gargoyles. (Small @ 4,500 to large @ 8,000 euro.) Until ???? www.torch.com
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Steendrukkerij Amsterdam is celebrating its 35th year in the art business with an exhibition for Fons Haagmans who has been showing there for almost as long. His paintings are minimalistic representational works and the imagery ranges from portraits to soldiers to still life. Some have an element of drama; others make you contemplate on what you see; and some are just pretty pictures. Damn, forgot to check the price list. So sorry. Until 22nd October. www.steendrukkerij.com
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An interesting show both from the artistic point of view and the political/social is at VERVERS (Hazenstraat 54). Tafil, first of all, takes a page from Piet Mondrian. Both his paintings and drawings have crudely defined linear abstraction like those of Mondrian, but then he paints around the lines with imagery that some may find offensive: Nazi soldiers and other Nazi characters. Several works are mixed-media. The artist also employes typography in some works. (110x75 cms., pencil/mixed-media on paper @ 2,000 euro; 85x185 cms., oil on canvas @ 5,500 euro.) Until 14th October. www.verversgallery.nl
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Hmmm...Trouble in paradise...3D stepped into ""witzenhausen GALERY" (Hazenstraat 60) but out of paper to make notes. I asked for a copy of an invitation. There wasn't one. The assistant said he would make a print out of the press release. Alas, the ball point pen rejected the copy paper and, in frustration, I said to hell with it. Hey, folks, last Saturday there were about 25 openings. I was tiring. But here is a sketch of what to expect. "New Realism" is a selection of work by four "up-and-coming photographers who make use of the photographic medium in different challenging ways, in some ways transcending the medium itself." The works of Eliza Dyball (Australia), Jeff Robb (UK), Camilia Rodrigo Grana (Peru) and Flokje van Lith (NL) are represented. The one photographer that will really get your attention---because of the technique---is Robb. He uses a new technique called lenticular photography which is "a hologram-like image that creates the illusion of depth and the possibility if seeing different sides of the image as we look from different angles." Both examples are nudes.
No price list. Until ??? www.witzenhausengallery.nl
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Swedish painter Anna Bjerger is at Galerie Gabriel Rolt for the second time. Her "subjects are derived from photographs found in out-of-date reference books, instruction manuals, gardening book and magazines." The works recall the paintings of other artist. But unlike, say Klimt, her brush strokes are strong, bold and assertive; and there is little of the nuances we know from the master. There is vagueness in the imagery; the colors become the focal point. She does it her way. She paints "wet on wet" according to the press release. Her work is in the Stedelijk Museum' collection. (Oil on aluminium; Small @ 3,800 euro; large @ 10,000 euro.) Until 15th October. www.gabrielrolt.com
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What 3D appreciates about "new jewelry" is that you never know what to expect; and, to play safe, always expect the unexpected. Ruuft Peters, at Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12) does images of Christ on the cross...almost. He molds the imagery in polyurthane, paints it in black, then saws it in half and presents the backside---with the flat surface----as the focal point. 3D, at first, assumed that you had an option as to what side you selected until it dawned on me that the pointed pins, that penetrate the material to mount them to the chest, were on the side of the imagery. The impetus for this seemingly subversive attack on religious iconic imagery is meant to convert the brooch into an abstraction with only a hint of the representational. As Peters told 3D, "It''s not about Christ." Hey, that's cool! There was a FREE take-away brooch offered at the opening. See what you miss by NOT going. Three RED DOTS. (Brooch @ 1,950 to 2,150 euro; brooch, small, Ed 7 @ 450 euro; Necklace @ 2,100 to 2,900 euro.) Until 15th October. www.galerierobkoudijs.nl
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Two artists are at RON MANDOS (Prinjsengracht 282). Par Stromberg (Sweden) paints in b/w and shades of gray. The imagery reflects the world of the midnight sun. Haunting, melancholy hints of mystery and an element of angst sort of defines the work. But the best part is, it is all very pleasing. Nice work! (30x40 cms., w/c on paper @ 1,190 euro; 40x50 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,600 euro; 80x60 cms., oil @ 4,200 euro; 180x240 cms., oil @ 14,500 euro.)...Steif Desmet is a sculptor working in bronze and iron, as well as other materials like the black deer with a arrow protruding through its body which is made from polyester. His piece de resistance, in this show, is an 80 kg lion cast in bronze. He bought a 30 euro plastic "lion"----Made in China---and made a mold and casted it. Then he segmented it into four sections. This sort of turns the King of the Jungle into an abstraction of itself. (65x30x18 cms., Polyester, Ed. 3 @ 2,500 euro; 140x110x45, Polyester, gold leaf, earth, Ed 3 @ 7,500 euro; 120x50x55 cms., bronze Lion, Ed 3 @ 20,000 euro.) Until 15th October. www.ronmandos.nl
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Scarlett Hooft-Graafland has a large solo exhibition at Museum Huis Marseille (Keizersgracht 401). The photographs resulted from visits to a wide variety of world' locations. There is a series of photos taken in rural China featuring the natives in traditional ceremonial dress. Another series features the salt flats of Bolivia and, again, locals in traditional costumes. In addition, there is a conceptual element in several of these photos. Photographs of Norway's northern tundra are often dramatic in their starkness. A series of three show enormous herds of reindeer. And there are a few surprises too. At the small gallery, off the reception area, of the museum, there are photos of Dutch windmills. But banal they are not; the blades of the windmills have been visually enhanced with red thread. And wait until you see the seven by five meter carpet in the lower level gallery. Beautiful...And you can walk on it after taking off your shoes. Until 20th November. www.huismarseille.nl
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Four artist kick off the 32nd season for Galerie De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135). 3D was moving fast on this busy Saturday so this is a quick overview of the work of Jeroen Heerweegh, Aniek Meeldijk, Irja Syvertsen and Jentel Wuytack.. One artist shows 14 pots which are more or less traditional in design and concept. The other three take ceramics to the edge with conceptual designs that range from blobs to organic-like sculpted objects. Add to that the one artist that mixes ceramic with textile that you might say rise to the occasion from the floor to the ceiling. All are recent graduates of an art academy. (Reasonable prices of 200 to 900 euro.) Until 12th Ocotber. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl
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Realism is alive and well at Galerie Mokum (OZ Voorburgwal 334) with the work of Pedro Escalona (Spain). 3D describes his paintings as contemporary impressionism with geometric/abstract nuances. The imagery is basically still life's; he paints small pots, vases and other small containers. But the colors are subdued so while there is plenty of color to see you are not overwhelmed by it. (27x37 cms., oil on panel @ 2,800 euro; 30x40 cms., oil on panel @ 3,000 euro; 81x130 cms., oil on panel @ 10,000 euro.) Until 9th October. www.galeriemokum.com
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Galerie Gerhard Hofland (nee: Aschenbach & Hofland) on the Bilderdijkstraat (165) shows Hans Broek's "Delacroix Makes a Movie." He takes a page from both the Book of Style by Delacroix and the history of 19th century art and adds elements of the Soviet realism school. As to the 19th century element, we see two views: The grand ball and Revolution. (33x30 cms., oil @ 2,250 euro; 50x104 cms., oil @ 5,500 euro.) ...Also on show is the work of Andreas Albrectsen whose pencil drawings are representational though a few have conceptual or surreal embellishments. Beautifully detailed with great contrast. (10x20 cms., pencil on paper @ 600 euro; 50x70 cms., pencil on paper @ 750. N.B. Sizes are paper sizes and not that of the image.) Until 8th October. www.GerhardHofland.com
***
Sculptor work by Anya Gallaccio (Scotland) is featured at "annet gelink gallery" (Laurierstraat 187). She works in stone and lets the stone become a conceptual inspiration. One huge stone is from the States but she made a mold of it, cast it in bronze and now there is a "reflection" of itself in another part of the gallery. The actual stone she has covered with a broken safety glass window which she found partially buried in the desert. Also on view are six photographs which depict real sand photographed with an electronic microscope. The results are beautiful geometric/abstract compositions. Damn...Where's the price list? Until 22nd Ocotber. www.annetgelink.com
***
RADAR: Architecture & Art (Rozengracht 77) has two interesting series of photographs on view by Chidi Onwuka (Nigeria/UK/NL). Both have a theme of deconstruction and one features the old CS-post office; the other the Wibauthuis on the Wibautstraat. An interesting fact in regard to the CS-post office is that he shows the area surrounding the building and uses its interior---the windowless window frames---to crop the exterior scene. The light is ambient which lends to the melancholy of the subject matter. (60x40 cms., lambda print @ 650 euro.) Until 10th October. www.radar-amsterdam.com
***
"smith * vissers GALERIE" (Noorderdwarsstraat 7) hangs the work of Nadia Gyr (Swiss) who paints in the style of a contemporary impressionist. She paints seascapes in white, blue and aquamarine. Gyr includes brush strokes that recall the Pointillist of the early part of the 20th century. But there is another side to her oeuvre. She hangs a series of Chinese ink drawings of plant life. They are exquisite and very elegant. In addition, there is a series of photographs which could have been the inspiration for her paintings. But she spices them up with an over painting of gouache which enhances both the ocean's color and affects of the light. (55x65 cms., Chinese ink, Chinese glitter paper and carton @ 300 euro; 30x45 cms., gouache on photograph @ 350 euro; 100x130 cms., egg tempera on linen @ 2,750 euro.) Until 1st October. www.galeriesmithvissers.nl
***
PS Project Space is at a new location in the east of Amsterdam: Madurastraat 72, just of the Javastraat. Ironically, the space isn't any larger than the previous one at Karin and Jan van der Ploeg's living room on the Leidsekade; well not in width and length, but the height is a staggering 450 cms. The first person to show in the space is Frank Ammeriaan (NL). Only five works on are on display and that is generally the most in number for any exhibition at PS: "Less is more" could be its slogan and raison d' etre. However, the five pieces are an excellent overview of this young artist' oeuvre---he graduated from the Gerritt Rietveld Akademie in 2007. One large painting appears to be in monochromatic black but, wait, look at it from another angle and you see hues of blue and from another perspective nuances of green. Nice! Another work is also monochromatic but it is enhanced by linear gold thread which is woven to create a geometric linear abstraction. There is sort of an Escher touch in that it only seems to adhere to an actual perspective. A very small sculpture piece is circular in an outward form but is manifested by several geometric elements. Ammeriaan was a recipient of the Gerrit Reitveld Academy Award for Painting. THREE RED DOTS!!! (21.3x28.5 cms., ink jet print, Ed. 5 @ 950 euro; 200x170 cms., oil on canvas @ 4,000 euro.) Until 23rd October. www.psprojectspace.nl
***
Looking for something spectacular? Go no further than to Galerie Jos Art (KNSM-laan 291). Look through the front windows and cast your eyes on the 570 cms., sculpture/object. It is modeled after a giant construction crane and made from wood. It is accurate to a fault and the gears adjusts and the ropes do their thing. And the artist, Ivo Weber, interjects a touch of humor. At the end of the hook of the crane there is a platform with two minks sitting at a table. You will marvel at the intricacy of this wooden structure and its detail. It required two full days to assemble at the gallery site. The title is "Blue Monday" and it will set back your bank account by only 24,000 euro...Along the walls, and complimenting the "crane," is the work of Zandra Harms who does w/c washes with pen & ink. The drawings are conceptual figurative, but the figurative isn''t what gets your attention as much as how she achieves it. The imagery has a fairy tale quality making them probably as pleasing to children as to adults (29.5x23 cms., w/c + pen & ink, 450 euro)...Frank Lenferink paints what might be best described as conceptual geometric representational work. Hard to do! He will take a banal light unit and represent it three times---each slightly different in dimensions---that result in a study of balance and light. All the work is linear and stresses the straight line and its relationship with form all around us in the most common subject matter: Think books or a radiator. (45x25 cms., oil @ 1,750 euro; 75x100 cms., oil @ 4,375 euro.) Until 2nd October. www.josart.nl
***
Well, that's it! A few RED DOTS, but certainly not enough. What to do? Buy, Buy and BUY some more. That's what...And there goes 3D with his trusty six-shooter looking for a bank that still handles cash...
***
Copyright: Daniel R, Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

Gould's 3D List: Week #1

2011-09-09T17:01:00.002+02:00

Gould's 3D List: Week #1

So begins the 7th year of the 3D List. And for the first time I find it difficult to express any optimism for the economic aspects of Amsterdam Art Scene 2011-2012.

A year ago, I saw a rebound in the market place. But then along came January, 2011, and in the months that followed, the rebound ended with a crash. Generally, I would be wont to say, "Hey, that's history. Time to start anew." But then came the American political disaster---played out in the halls of Congress---thats conclusion, in the 59th minute of the 23rd hour, reverberated around the world. The stock markets crashed across Asia and Europe not to mention Wall Street. And it is not over yet. What it all means is that discretionary spending, by both governments and the general population, has dried up. It was reported only a few weeks back that household consumption, in the Netherlands, fell 0.9% from a year ago; and spending on food and entertainment fell 3.7%. Don't even ask about art.

There is gloom covering the cultural oasis like volcanic ash that chokes off sunlight which nurtures all that lives. I can and I will urge, push, encourage the 3D List readers to buy, Buy and BUY. And if that doesn't work, I'll castigate, humiliate and denigrate my readers for not doing so. But I fear that all the berating will fall on deaf ears. There is a real fear for the future of the economy and it is that fear that is our worst enemy. (This was written before the first week of the new season. Last weekend, 3D visited nine galleries. There was NOT one red dot.)

But, hey, on the Amsterdam art circuit, I am sometimes referred to as Mr Sunshine. But an economic overcast is blocking my invigorating rays. What to do?
***
As readers of the 3D List are aware its weekly regularity changed last November when I was indirectly barred from using the new OBA (main library) where I had access to the Internet 12 hours/day, seven days per week. I have not found a substitute venue. Therefore I had to reappraise the list. The majority of readers use it for the section: What Is Happening This Week. Oddly enough, it is the part that required the most time and effort; it is tedious---not to mention, stressful---to copy all the info, addresses, name spellings (Dutch, Russian, German, French, African, Albanian...Albanian? Well there are 182 ethnic groups represented in A'dam) so it takes time. Two days to be exact and that doesn't included an hour or so on Thursday for the final update on late notices of openings. Considering all this, I have axed this section. What remains is Bits & Pieces (this provides info for the artists' community); and allows 3D the opportunity to make editorial comments concerning a wide range of subjects; and to pass on items that tickle the funny bone, feed an empty stomach or show the human side of life...If there is one. Damn, I geting cynical in my old age.

For those of you that would like to see the reinstatement of What Is Happening This Week it is up to you to find a venue where I have unlimited access to the Internet and/or a sponsor that will provide me with the funds to secure such a place. I can't do it all.
***

Bits & Pieces:

Museum Review: De Nieuwe Kerk

What You Missed Last Week:

BITS & PIECES:

3D received an e-mail from Dadara that began: "I am not an artist anymore, but I am a banker now." He goes on to say, "Recently we introduced a new banknote..." Well, I am not really sure what this is all about; could be "art," or even a scam...Anyway, for more info go to: www.indiegogo.com/exchanghibition-bank-at-burning-man. Oh, yeah, "And a cool 90 second video we made recently: www.youtube.com/watch?v=96d0CvhFSto (or maybe the "9" is a "g")
***
The magazine publisher frame and the design company, Moooi, have announced the launch of an inaugural design competition. "The frame Moooi Award is looking for the best furniture and lighting that have been designed for a specific interior. The winning project will be published in frame magazine and its designer will receive the grand prize: a jaw-dropping 25,000 euros." Application on are online: framemoooi.com. Closing date is 1st December, 2011.
***
The Wereldmuseum, in Rotterdam, has said it may sell its complete collection of African artifacts to raise monies. The Museum said it could raise as much as 60 million euro. The monies would be used to aid the Museum's financial balance sheet that is now threatened by government subsidy cuts.
***
If you are job hunting, click on to www.brakkegrond.nl. The Belgium Cultural Center is looking for a new director. The deadline is 22nd September. If you have questions, e-mail to: leen.laconte@brakkengrond.nl
***
The Jan van Eyck Academie has announced a call for applications. The deadline for applying is 1st October. The design school has been cited by the Int Herald Tribune, in past years, as the best in the world. For questions contact: Leon Westenberg at: leon.westenberg@janvaneyck.nl, For more info: www.janvaneyck.nl.
***
Check this out: Five international culturally related directors/administrators give their views in an article titled, "Backstage, worries over culture's future," by Roslyn Sulcas. (www.iht.com, 27th August.)
***
A sign of the times: Pre-sales of tickets for the new theatre season have dropped 14% compared to this time last year because of the increase in sales tax (BTW) from 6% to 19% the theatre managers organization reported..." www.DutchNews.nl
***
The Dutch government socio-cultural advisory group SCP reported that "Richer households continue to benefit more from government spending but their share of total government outgoings is declining." Hey! you say, that's good! Why should the rich benefit more than the proletariat. But then you read on. "The researchers say the share of government spending enjoyed by higher income household will continue to decline as the government slashes spending on childcare, the arts and culture and increases the cost of higher eduction." (www.DutchNews.nl) Guess what, both the poor and middle class benefit from childcare, the arts & culture and higher education. Of course, another important factor that has been left out of this equation is that those who play the instruments, act, direct and light the stages and create the art, as well as, teach at the universities are generally the middle class. They are the ones being put put out work by the cuts. Folks, it's time for a new government. Kid you not!
***
...And speaking of the need for a new government...Last July, Pretty Boy Geert issued a statement condemning the Madman of Norway for his actions. Most notably, in his statement, he said, "The Party of Freedom has never called for violence and will never do so." This, 3D assumes, was meant to deny any culpability in the incidence. The Madman of Norway made at least 30 references to Pretty Boy Geert and his anti-Islamic PVV party in his manifesto. Pretty Boy recently had a court case dismissed against him where it was ruled he had the right to free speech. Well, yes, that's true. But do you have the right to yell fire in a crowded cinema? In the stampede that results can you say, "Common, it was a joke!" Pretty Boy is inciting people against ethnics much in the same way that the Nazis did towards the Jews. And another similarity he has with the Nazis, he wants to ship those of the Islamic faith back to their Moslem homelands. Well, I guess you can say that is more "humanitarian" then what the Nazis did. But, to 3D, it's de ja vu all over again.
***

MUSEUM REVIEW: De Nieuwe Kerk, Dam Square

The Amsterdam couturier Mart Visser has been appointed Kerk Meester (Church Warden) for De Nieuwe Kerk, for 2011. On the 26th of August he offered his first exhibition which is an installation with a theme relating to Dutch clothing designers---past and present---that specializes in bridal dresses.

He has selected what he considers to be the "finest examples of bridal couture, combined with a number of art works by leading couturiers and artists."

And it is a spectacular selection. You will see a range of designs from the traditional (almost) to the conceptual---for want of a better term. An example of the latter might be the conceptual geometric/abstract design by Pauline van Dongen which is both simple, dramatic and elegant. It stands next to a design by our host, Mart Visser, which could be for an Islamic wedding since part of the design veils the face (when 3D mention this to Visser, he paused a moment, then replied, "Yes." Then there is a Frans Molenaar bridal dress that is very sophisticate and chic. Fong Leng mixes western traditional with a Chinese element.

There are 30+ outfits on display; plus there are 265 female store window mannequins and 135 male mannequins standing around nude. The males you will have to strain your neck to see since they are aligned along the ceiling of the church.

Unfortunately, there is one downside to the show if you are not Dutch. Generally, De Nieuw Kerk administration provide both Dutch and English information. Not so this time. While the liner notes for each bridal gown are abbreviated they are only in Dutch. There is a small booklet, that one is presented with when they buy their ticket, and it does have about a 200 word English language introduction, however the written profiles for the designers is only in Dutch. Pity!

Until 2nd October 2011.

Entrance 10 euro.

More info at: www.nieuwekerk.nl
***

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

"Imaginary Perceptions" is the title for an exhibition by Maaike Anne Stevens (UK) at Artpocalypse Collective (2e Laurierdwarsstraat 64). Ms Stevens is a constructionist working mainly with cardboard. The style might be described as fractionated geometric abstraction. She recreates, sometimes, photos into a chaotic abstraction that resembles only vaguely what came first. She says, "I am interested in this state of visual confusion, in which things have a certain form, before the brain structures them into logical and useful information." This is her second showing the the Netherlands. She was represented by an English gallery at the Affordable Art Fair in 2008. Until 1st October. www.artpocalypsecollective.com
***
Jelica Cicic (Belgrade) has an extensive oeuvre that covers a range of styles and techniques from comic illustrations to geometric abstracted sculpture. The show could all so be described as a study black, white and red. The sculpted objects are rectangular, circular, triangular and conceptual in form. Two wall hangings---each in different shades of material---are attention getting. (60x30 cms., illustration/print @ 99 euro; 100x100 cms., textile, patchwork @ 445 euro; 45x45x45 cms., sculptured object/styrofoam @ 1,550.) Until 25th September. www.mlbgalerie.nlwww.multipass.co
***
At "gallery 9" (Keizersgracht 552) is a group show with three artists. For the first time, the gallery is showing photography. Sabine Richter (Germany) style is conceptual representational. She photographs a brick wall through a glass plate window. In the window is a reflection of a staircase. Your first thought is that this all came from a PhotoShop software program, but, no, it is a real snapshot. And the tension comes from the fact that it is difficult to focus on either the wall or the white rectangular lines that seem to emanate from it. (60x60 cms., c-print, aludibond, acrylic glass, @ 1,000 euro)...Anneke Klein Kranenbarg has an unusual style to express her linear conceptual forms. She uses plates of Plexiglas and inserts pin-size holes then weaves black thread through them and arranges their direction to form simple linear geometric/abstraction composition. Simple an very elegant. (25x25x3 cms., wood, Plexiglas, thread, @ 700 euro; 50x50x3 cms., opal Plexiglas, thread @ 1,375 euro.)...Gerhard Frömel (Austria) paints with acrylic on aluminium, but only in b/w. The aluminium sheets are cut and shaped in a dimensional representation. The b/w dichotomy added to the shaping creates an dramatic contrast while remaining very simple. (24x50x9.5 cms., acrylic on aluminium @ 1,800 euro; 62.5x62.5x7,cms., acrylic on aluminium @ 4,800 euro.) Until 1st October. www.gallerynine.nl
***
Ellen Grote Beverborg, now at Galerie Witteveen (Keizersgracht 538), is a painter of conceptual representational canvases that often border on being monochromatic. Neat trick! She pictures the flowers she paints out of context with reality. This produces not only tension----because of an almost abstract background---but also mystery....Showing with her is the work of Wout Herfkens who compliments the painter with conceptual sculpture work. What exactly is that meant to describe? Well, think of a platform, on wheels, that supports 24 small toy reindeer, lying on their backs, which in turn supports a cushion on which sits a Buddha-like figure. And some of the other pieces are even more bizarre. Oooops, forgot to check the price list. So sorry. Until 1st October. www.galeriewitteveen.nl
***
3D asked the gallerist at Galerie R. Katwijk (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198) how many previous shows he has had for Zhuang Hong Yi. He didn't know. But this must be at least the fourth. And for good reason, he sells. He is basically a colorist---and the Chinese are great with color. He does "flowers," sort of; and he's kitschy. The technique is paint and collage. The collage material is rice paper that is soaked in varnish, shaped, dried and painted. It will get your attention. (60x60 cms., mixed media @ 3.850 euro; 100x100 cms., mixed media @ 6,000 euro; 200x250 cms., mixed media @ 35,000.) Until 8th October. www.galerierogerkatwik.nl
***
R&R:Reuten Galerie Amsterdam (Prinsengracht 534) has a group show. Lon Godin hangs conceptual paintings that are only in b/w. He forms geometric abstractions that have the feel of being washes but on very large canvases. The results are monumental. (40x30 cms., @ 980 euro; 250x150 cms., oil on linen @ 9,000 euro.)...Andrea Radai also hangs paintings and with a simple theme: Clouds. All the work is in b/w and infinite shades of gray. But don't let that put you off, there is something endearing about all the grayness. Maybe it has to do with being reminiscent of many a day in Holland. Nice work! (135x170 cms., oil on linen @ 4,800 euro; 250x300 cms, oil on linen @ 9,800 euro.)...Stefanie Mayer (Germany) does conceptual sculptures made of plaster. They sometimes appear to be figurative, but that is probably only what 3D sees in them. The forms are interesting and provoke thought. (2,800 to 4,800 euro.) Until 9th October. No website address for the gallery on the invite.
***
"Galerie bart" (Bloemgracht 2) begins its new season with a group show of three but two of the three is a duo. Adrian Woods and Gigi van Maarseveen show a series of conceptual photographs that's compositions are created in the studio as opposed to PhotoShop. The imagery varies from geometric/abstract to illusions of the sun on an horizon. The colors tend toward dark hues of blue. (21x30 cms., Lambda print, framed, Ed. 15 @ 450 euro; 42x60 cms., Lambda print, framed, Ed 10 @ 950 euro.)...Caroline van Pagée creates very colorful geometric/abstracts in the form of circles, rectangular slabs and pyramids. Each segment is a different color. She arranges the resulting objects then photographs them. (40x30 cms., print on MDF @ 440 euro; 65x43.5 print on MDF @ 770 euro; 88x60 cms., print on MDF @ 1,250 euro). Until 8th October. www.galeriebart.nl
***
"g_i_s_t galerie" (Bloemgracht 82) presents Maartje Overmars who seems to cross multiple borders with several styles represented in one composition: conceptual, geometric/abstract, representational, etc. The colors are either dark or subdued. She seems to ignore red, yellow and even blue. (30x40 cms., @ 850 euro; 80x122 cms., @ 2,650 euro; 130c122 cms., @ 3,400.)...In a small annex is the work of Jonna Balk who does almost representational views of interiors on irregularly shaped wood. The colors are limited to cream, ochre and black lead. There is a natural rawness which is directly related to the materials. All are two dimensional. Good work! (25x45 cms., wood, lead and paper @ 700 euro; 80x120 cms., wood, lead and paper @ 1,950 euro.) Until 8th Otober. www.gistgalerie.nl
***
Photographs of Shanghai citizens is the theme employed by Reiner Gerritsen showing at Eduard Planting Fine Art Photograph (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2). Gerritsen presents group shots which focus on the people of the city. In one sense, though, they are all group shots, they are also studies in non-compositional composition. That is, he accepts the haphazard arrangement of the grouping in the picture. A series of five could be titled, "Wearers of the mask." At least one person has on a face mask to protect against air pollution. (110x90 cms., Ed. 5 @ 4,750 euro; 106x175 cms., Ed 5 @ 3,850 euro.) Until 15th October. www.eduardplanting.com
***
Matthew Monahan is showing at Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140). Monahan presents an eye-popping show. He is a sculptor who also does mixed-media drawings. As to the sculptured work, it is all figurative but in surreal forms. Oddly enough, the unifying factor---which is in the material used---is not what gives the figurative its defining identity. Every piece uses, to one degree or another, white brick building blocks. The drawings are again figurative and almost portraits. But almost is the key word. But you got see them. Give this exhibition a WOW! (The list that described each piece did NOT include prices. Assume: expensive.)...In the front gallery is photography by Warrwen Neidich. The imagery is banal subject matter: beach scenes; surfers. What differentiates it form the tourist variety is the distortion of colors which he presents luridly. (120x80 cms., Pigment print, Ed. 3 @ 4,000 euro.) Until 15th October. www.fonswelter.nl
***
Five people show at RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427). Floor de Bruyn Kops is a painter who emulates Henri Matisse in colors, forms/symbols and composition. But, with that said, the style is more simple. Thus you focus your attention more on the visual imagery as opposed to the composition. (40x40 cms., @ 450 euro; 100x100 cms., @ 2,500, 180x180 cms., @ 4,200 euro.)...Ena Rutten paintings could or could not be city scape's. The imagery is vague though the forms and colors are highly assertive. (acrylic or oil on linen @ 1,300 to 1,760 euro.)...Miriam Hagoort photography owes much to the 19th century style of the technique. While the colors are not sepia there is an illusion to it. The imagery is the city as seen through a fogged glass lens. The work is described as mixed-media on canvas and aluminium. (850 to 1,900 euro.)...Margot Pistor does figurative sculpture work in bronze. She employes a traditional and various styles in designing and molding. All are female nudes. (750, 1,400, 2,500, and 4,500 euro)...Inge de Waal draws large (150x115 cms.,) pastel chalk and charcoal works of elephants and bison. (1,800 to 1,900 euro.) Until 15th October. www.rudolfv.com
***
"foam" (Keizersgracht 609) has begun the new season with two openings in consecutive weeks. Raphaël Dallaporta was awarded the Paul Huf Award earlier this year. In this exhibition we see four individuals series; each with a totally different theme. "Fragile" pictures human organs from corpses. Excellent detail and certainly fit for a medical text. "Domestic Slavery" is about woman hired to be domestics and then enslaved. However it is not what you might expect to see as an illustration for this topic. No woman is pictured. What you view are large, luxury apartment building which become, in reality, their "prison." For "Ruins" he traveled with a French archaeologist to the north of Afghanistan and used a drone to photo the landscape. The resulting imagery can best be described as geometric/abstraction. One series of four could be photos of the sun, human body cells or color abstraction. It doesn't matter. Perhaps the most interesting segment of the show is based around the theme of mines and titled "Antipersonnel." There are several photos of the different types of antipersonnel mines used in war zones. You are amazed at the wide variety. And they are the frightening to look at because all are set against a black background making them more sinister. But read the linear notes. More often than not the description of the devise will sicken you still more. You are told their names, manufacturer, country of origin and where it is widely used. You will learn that "The Antipersonnel Blast Mine (PFM-1, Russian Federation) known as 'Butterfly' can be dispersed with the VSM-1 mine-laying system [which] can lay 7,424 PFM-1s over a length of two km., from a single delivery container mounted on a helicopter." Scary! Until 26th October.

Can a potato take on a monumental representation? Yeah, it can! As you enter "foam" and come to the small vestibule, where the stair cases are located, and look to the right you wll see on the wall a poster measuring about four meters high by three meters wide featuring two potatoes; a typical russet and an all black one; they are juxtaposed to each other. Impressive. The show's title is "Still/Life-Contemporary Dutch Photography." In contemporary photography, "A major aspect is that instead of taking photos as a (representation of reality), today's photographer take photos (entirely staged)." You will see 28 photographers---some working in tandem. Each does "still-life" but it might not always be apparent. There is the simple: a floating apple against a cobalt blue background to an elaborate display of a table setting which is seemingly mirrored two times. But look closely and see how each is slightly different. There are the plates of fruit or vegetables to the contemporary confectionery delights showing a Coke can, Bounty bar and all the items are "melting" into a primary color puddle. In another gallery, there is a series of 16 still life each composed and featuring the same flower arrangement and each in a different color pattern. Another series is an example of geometric/abstraction made conceptual with a spilled coffee cup or spilled paint can. Two b/w nudes 3D would argue are NOT still lifes, but, hey, who am I? Don't miss the two front galleries, along the Keizersgracht (there should be an arrow pointing in their direction). This is where the still lifes become truly avant garde.Sometimes as objects; sometimes as an installation. One of the latter, has two huge wall pieces, opposite of the other, with an HD video player projecting imagery in the middle. In the smaller gallery, next door, a "simple" installation featuring photos of crunched paper is absolutely dramatic set against the blue stripe running down the wall and across the floor. Great! Until 26th October. www.foam.nl
***
If you don't go fast sometimes you don't have a chance to know. So, hurry, hurry, hurry to the Vlaams Cultural Center (Nes 45) for a remarkable show of 44 photographers---and a few video artists---representing 14 countries. Expect to see from contemporary to avant garde style photography. There is an incredible range to behold in both styles and techniques: b/w, color, contrast, motion, collage, conceptual, etc, etc, etc. The exhibition was organized by Chris (he left his calling cards at home) who is the curator at the museum for County Cork in Ireland. And to make that more interesting, he hails from St. John Newfoundland at the end of the civilized world. Until 11th September. That's right! This SUNDAY. Hurry, hurry, hurry.
***

...And there you have it. The first week of the new Amsterdam' Art Season. Excitement galore awaits the ambitious soul who challenges the Dutch elements and seeks out the aesthetic. And you will be sure to see 3D trudging alone---albeit a little slower than last year---and still doing his thing. Come join me to see what is so addictive about the endless surprises awaiting you in the Amsterdam art world.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam 2011

Gould's 3D List: #19--Final Edition, 2010-2011 Art Season

2011-07-07T16:16:00.002+02:00

Gould's 3D List: #19

When the s*** hits the fan...it goes all over the place. A rather crude axiom, but it goes directly to the point of the current affairs on the Dutch cultural scene. The government of Mark the Shark, with "comic" relief from Pretty Boy Geritts, wants to isolate the Netherlands from the world community one way or another. A recent headline in the Dutch media read, "The Netherlands is 'declining in importance.' Agnes van Ardenne said, 'Now we have a major party which wants to close borders because our land is full...we are no longer a leading nation.'" And this border closure will be accomplished in different ways.

The subsidy cuts for institutions---like museums---will mean less international shows in both the country and other countries. The cuts and/or complete elimination of subsidies to the Rijksakademie, De Ateliers, NIMk, STEIM, de Appel, et al means fewer foreign artists will be studying and interacting within the Dutch society and its cultural scene. These institutions will try to compensate by increasing tuition charges, but that will only limit the number of people that will be attracted to study here.

And the philistines, who now rule the roost, promising the American Dream for Holland---overlooking the fact that that dream has turned into a nightmare---have chosen to give a double whammy to Dutch culture. Not content to take 200 million euros from the cultural coffers---the price of one F16 with spare parts---they have strapped the art market place with a three fold increase in taxes. If you want to see a dance performance or a play, the added BTW is now 19%; a painting, drawing or print is now also taxed at 19% instead of 6%. But, hey, you like football? You still pay only 6% BTW. Well, sure', these demagogues must pander to the majority of voters.

And it gets even more sadistic in more subtle ways. If you work with your hands like a hair cutter, the BTW will remain at 6%. So the sculptors said "We, too, are exempt from the increase to 19%." "No way!" said Mark the Shark. "You work with your hands to make ART! Art is art...and that's 19%." Must be something in the semantics that 3D is missing.

Several institutions are sponsoring petitions and/or demonstrations. There are discussions at several venues in the country. The cultural war is on and the "weapon" of choice is your vote. 3D predicted, with the formation of this new "government," that it wouldn't last a year. The times nearly up, but there are signs that it may still have to call for a vote of confidence sooner than later. Bring it on!
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The 2010-2011 Amsterdam Art Season draws to a close. It started stronger than expected as far as sales were concerned, but came to an abrupt halt at the beginning of 2011. What happened? Well, that's harder to define or pin-point. The Dutch economy continues to improve and unemployment is only 4%. That leaves only one thing: the 19% BTW dilemma. The government decided that the art market should pay more than its fair share of the country's deficit. Figures. The population has elected a government riddled with Philistines looking for a silver lining in the economic storm clouds. And what they found was too much money being lavished on the cultural world---especially the art segment---and it was creating a stormy economic climate. Remedy: Cut subsidies. And the silver lining? Hey, people who can afford to pay 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and more for a work of art can afford to pay an additional 19% tax/BTW. Simple logic! they say. So what happens? The art market crashes. Those who supported the market by buying items for 300, 500 or a 1,000 euros balked at paying an additional 13% that was the increase from the previous 6%. And while sales to the higher market buyers may or may not have been affected---there were a few shows with several red dots with prices of 10,000 euro and up---the overall market was lost. Over the season, galleries closed and those that remained made cut backs where ever it was possible: fewer shows and less ambiance associated with their openings. Hey, life is hard! For an artist it's just a little more hard.

(Footnote: There was a book presentation for Max Snow at Serieus Zaken Studioos on the 2nd of July. 3D is thrilled to report that there were 16 red dots. Hey, that's more like it. Let's hope that this can carry over to "come September.")

BITS & PIECES:

The best show of the year begins today, 7th July. The Rietveld Einde Examen. You can see it everyday up to and including Sunday, the 10th of July. Don't miss this opportunity to see the future of art today. Remember, in art the young are expected to be the rebels pressing for revolutionary changes in the way we see the concept of ART. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes not. Go see for yourself if this is a momentous year in the history of art...And it's FREE!!!
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Learn more about art. PAN Amsterdam will begin, on 10th June, a weekly art lesson @ www.panenik.nl. In 200 words and a picture you will learn "What's Modern Realism?" "What's a fair price?" "Can I haggle?" and more. You can also follow the lesson on FACEBOOK and Twitter.
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The new government, in Holland, seems to be out of sync on other matters besides the cultural aspects. 3D recalls a conference that was held in Europe around 1974 on drugs and the emphasis, at the time, was on marijuana. The USofA suggested that a "small country" try legalizing soft drugs so that the effects could be measured as to the influence on its society. It was the Netherlands that stepped forward and said, "We'll try." Now we have PMs wanting to reverse that policy and ignoring the mayors of virtually all the major cities who are opposed. Must reading for them is a recent article titled "Legalization should replace failed drug war, group says." (www.iht.com, 3rd June). "A high-level international committee declared...that the global 'war on drugs' was a failure and urged countries to consider legalizing marijuana and other drugs to undermine organized crime and protect their citizens' health...The study urges experimentation by government with models of legal regulation of drugs. This recommendation applies especially to cannabis...but we also encourage other experiments in decriminalization and legal regulation.'"
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A behind the scenes look at how European museums deal "with the practices and issues that the conservator of modern and contemporary art deal with. The documentary was put together with a group of experts from 35 European museums." You can see it FREE and on line at: www.nimk.nl/eng/installation-art-who-cares-documentary
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BERLINER LISTE, Berlin's largest art fair, has announced a last call for applications. More than 100 international galleries, from 23 countries, will show between 7th and 11th of September. More info at: www.berliner-liste.org
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Sotheby's has announced that they will discontinue their auction house activities in the Netherlands.
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Laser 3.14 says "We Are The Dream They Want To Exclude." At StadsArchiefs (Vijzelstraat 32).
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What's Happening:

Two Ukrainian artists are hanging an exhibition at WG Kunst. Alexandr Shimbarovsky does photography that combines several techniques. In fact, the descriptive tags alongside the works describe them thusly: "author's technique." As a result, sometimes the finished product doesn't seem to have much to do with photography. Some works are on "sculpted" steel placer and MDF. He does a trip-tych, but in a very different way. One consists of a large circle and two ovals. While the work is representational, it often tends to be visually a geometric abstraction. Expect strong colors. (80x60 cms., photo print ! 100 euro; 100x62 cms., author's technique @ 700 euro; 5 pieces as one: 100, 75, 50, 30 and 15 cms in diameter, Di-bond, photograph print, "curly trim" @ 700 euro.)

Vadum Shamanov is a painter and uses various materials including steel. With the latter, brushed steel is sometimes part of the composition. And his style is best described as abstract/expressionism often with a strong geometric bent. (50x35 cms., oil on canvas @ 300 euro; 63x102 cms., oil on steel, MDF @ 900 euro; 140x190 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,500 euro.) Consider the prices as cheap! Until 10th June. www.wgkunst.nl; www.foundart.org.ua
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At De Brakke Grond (Nes 45) there is a group show of 13 photographic artist titled "(Re):TILT." Expect to see portraits, architectural work and shots that resemble that of weekend snapshots by an amateur. In the court yard, there are oversize photos. An interesting montage/collage by Jasper de Meester measures 250 by 120 cms., and is done in such a way that it becomes an abstraction. Until 17th July. www.brakkegrond.nl
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Four artists show at RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427) with a very pleasing mix of work. Michael Lasoff is a figurative expressionist with very good color sense and definition. The composition are both unusual and imaginative; you can see a favorable Francis Bacon influence here and there. A four meter long trip-tych has geometric abstraction elements to go with the figurative. (2,200 to 8,000 euro.)...To describe Jan Verschueren's objects it is helpful to say: Think Jean Tinguely; and with a real sense of humor. Here is an example. One piece has a man formed from scraps of iron and with a clay head and hands, sitting at a 50s model Royal typewriter. The lid that you open, to get to the ribbon, is askewed and at one end is propped open with a stick. The illusion is a man playing a grand piano. There is also a tightrope walker navigating a steel cable stretched between the rims of an iron wheel. Then there is the milk can...but, hey, go see for yourself. He also hangs "paintings." His description, not 3D's. What they really are are mixed-media works made from several elements ranging from junk to sea shells with a dab of paint from time to time. (750 to 1,750 euro.)

Rogier Alleblas work is photography and each "image" is in an edition. But, each edition of five is made up of five unique pieces. Huh? Well, what he does is to create conceptual scenes and poses using tables and chairs with a man added. He snaps that, develops it his way; then, paints on the print. Generally, he paints the pictured object as resting in the water. There are also small photos that are more simple, but he takes full advantage of an objects shape and/or configuration, Damn, didn't jot down the prices...Marly Freij is a contemporary impressionist that works with a range from soft colors to those that are vibrant. The subject matter is landscapes, but that is completely irrelevant. What is important is the dominance of the composition. Good work. (1,176 to 2,520 euro.) Until 9th July. www.rudolfv.nl
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RADAR (Rosengracht 77) hangs the work of "Nisja" (Poland) who paints architectural city scape's but with an emphasis on geometric abstraction as the focal point. But it is how she achieves it that makes her work interesting. There is a naïve quality to the compositions that come through in her view of the perspective and sometimes the colors. The result is an unique interpretation to the contemporary urban landscape environment. Nice. (40x80 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 850 euro; 70x140 cms., acrylic and markers on canvas @ 1,900 euro.)

Showing, too, is "Ozymantra" who has reincarnated the German Expressionist of the 20s and 30s and placed them into a contemporary context and added a conceptualised view to it all. If you can follow all that, you will come close to understanding what to expect. Sometimes there is a grotesque quality to the imagery but its chaotic nature of composition almost cancels it out. What you are left with is a mysterious aftertaste. (18x24 cms., mixed-media @ 160 euro; 30x50 cms., oil on canvas @ 750 euro; 130x135 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,300 euro.) ...Nearly forgot...check out the floor; both artists contributed to its making. Thick and durable paper was taped on the floor, wall to wall, and then they got down on their hands and knees and went to work. Cool! Until 2nd July. www.radar-amsterdam.com
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Drawings are popping up everywhere. There were several galleries at ArtAmsterdam showing them and now AdK (Prinsengracht 534) shows the work of two. Dineke Blom does drawings that are conceptual and sometimes heavy on geometric abstraction. In this exhibition, she has a series that look like lengths of weaved hair, think "pigtails." And much of her work has a raw quality to it; that is the composition hasn't be sterilized. Charcoal residue or smear marks are left to accent the composition. (32x24 cms., ink on paper @ 1,500 euro; 63x95.5 pencil and gouache on paper @ 2,400 euro.

Along with her is the work of Hans Ebeling Koning with representational drawings with some in a geometric abstract style. Others reflect impressionism. The subject matter ranges from flowers to wooded area to architectural scenes. Four red dots. (24x30 cms., drawing mixed media @ 200 euro; 52x42 cms., ink and white paint @ 1,300 euro.) Until 25th June. www.adkactuelekunst.nl
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"New Jewelry" is a term that is meant to make you forget that all that glitters are not just diamonds and gold. And the best part is so often it is a style that is completely different from anything your have seen before. Hey, that's what art is all about! Xavier Monclús (Spain) makes whimsical scenes. You could think that you were looking at a miniature stage design for a childrens' play. But that doesn't begin to describe these modern tableaus that reflect the urban scene to a banal dinner place setting...Well, that's doesn't saying anything. It is hard to do justice to this man's work and imagination with words...Oh, yeah. There are worn as brooches. (400 to 1,600 euro; some in editions and others are unique.)

Evert Nijland has a rather eclectic selection of "subject matter" for his jewelry. One necklace resembles the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and is made of glass. Another is a collection of conceptual forms and still another is a series of porcelain eggs---all severely cracked--- and exposing what looks like an inner chocolate egg. Then there are seven porcelain brooches which look like artifacts from an archeology dig. Most feature a small flower. Nice. Three red dots. (Brooches 300 to 425 euro; Necklaces 3,200 to 3,500 euro.) Until 2nd July. www.galerierobkoudijs.nl
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"smith-vissers GALERIE" (Norderdwarstraat 7) is a gallery new to the art scene but, from the show the 3D saw recently, it should have a good future. Kuin Heuff style is unusual and is directly influenced by the 19th century b/w cut-outs that were so popular. In those, the "portraits" were generally only profiles. Heuff does full face portraits. They are in meticulous detail. Amazingly he captures the nuances of depth around the eyes, nose and mouth. The eyes are espeically well done. (30x35 ms., acrylic cut out from paper @ 750 euro; 200x140 cms., acrylic cut out from paper @ 8,400 euro.)

Showing to is Marie Christine Berk who "weaves" string-like clay strips into 3D objects. They resemble fine porcelain baskets that look like lace dollies. There are a variety of configurations; some look like onion sacks and others like weaved baskets. (875 to 1,750 euro.) www.galeriesmithvissers.nl
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Two Middle-East artists are showing at SM Bureau Amsterdam (Rozenstraat 59). Al Solh (Lebanon) has studied both in Amsterdam and her home country. She mixes into her art both autobiographical aspects as well as humor. She is showing various video works. Bassam Ramlawi also studied art here, but back home,in Lebanon, he is a juice seller which probably is proof positive that you can get more juice from an orange than juice---read money---from a canvas. He is an admirer of René Daniëls and his work emulates the artist. Several works of Daniëls, from 1980-1985, are on show. Until 31st July. www.smba.nl
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Leo Kogan has organized a group exhibition that is conveniently located in the center of the city at Amstel 16, just off the Muntplein. His raison d étré is "The real purpose of Art is not to embellish nor to entertain but to revel the truth." Okay, you can determine for yourself if these works in the medium of photography, mixed-media, drawings, paintings, prints, etc do that. Some of the artists are making their European debut. WARNING: The space is an unintentional work of art that resembles one of Matta Clark's cut-away building sections. Watch your step! The prices range from 25 to 2,000 euro. Something for every one's pocket book. Until 31st August; 13-18:00; Friday through Sunday.
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Norbert Prangenberg (German) is at Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140) in a show titled "Kiss the beast." His work ranges in style from representational expressionism to pure expressionism. Some works are very colorful and others come close to being monochromatic but in an unusual way. Other works mix the two styles. (30x21 cms., oil on wood @ 4,500 euro; 50x40 cms., oil on board @ 5,800 euro.)

In the big gallery you will see the work of Björn Dahlem (German) who has been inspired by Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) who tried to describe the universe and is one of the fathers of Classical Physics. One of the tools that both Kepler and Galileo used was mathematics. Math allowed them to see the geometric abstraction that gives "life" its form. Dahlem adds nuances to the abstraction which are more often than not representational objects: buttons, bottles and even a compass and a statue of Venus. Light is sometimes an illuminating factor. Pun intended. (50x20x170 cms., wood, steal, Styrofoam, lacquer @ 8,000 euro; 80x175x60 cms., mixed media @ 18,000 euro.) Until 31st July. www.fonswelter.nl
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Joyce van Dongen is back once again at "GALERIE bart" (Bloemgracht 2). She continues to evolve her artistic style; and she does so by extending her technique range that now includes embroidery and the use of a palette knife. The work is representational but more so as an after thought than it is intentional. In some of these paintings there is always the illusion of vegetation, but sometimes that description doesn't hold up to close scrutiny. Doesn't matter! Whether you are looking at reeds, weeds or whatever, you will see strong, assertive and confident brush strokes. There is added tension with her use of embroidery to extend the imagery to another dimension and by her use of thick monochromatic white paint against the detailed brush work. (65x50 cms., oil, embroidery and gloss on canvas @ 1,380 euro; 140x200 cms., oil and embroidery on canvas @ 4,250 euro.) Until 30th July. www.galeriebart.nl
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Olphaert den Otter at "witzenhausen GALLERY" (Hazenstraat 60) is a very good painter. He has mastered the brush! As to the imagery it is almost secondary. It really is not much more than a stage for him to act out his compositions. A series of 24 A4 sketches illustrate disasters ranging from tsunami, fires, mud slides and a couple that chronicle the Concorde disaster. (18x26 cms., egg tempera on paper @ 900 euro; 76x122 cms., egg tempera on canvas laid on panel @ 5,940 euro.) Until 30th July. No website address on invite.
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"The Road to Rabat: A Journey in Pictures by Dennis Duijnhouwer" is the title of the exhibition at Brandt (Prinsengracht 799). Now showing at Amsterdam' cinemas is "The Road to Rabat." Duijnjhouwer went along for the filming in Morocco. And what he came back with fits nicely with a new style of photography that is taking hold. call it "Snaps" for want of a better term. He is hanging what could be a collection of photos taken by a tourist on their holiday. You will see a picture of a woman sitting in a car; a junk yard; a woman holding an umbrella in the noon day sun; a garish painting hanging on a red wall... That sort of thing. Of course, what makes these Snaps standout is the artist's understanding of how a good camera works and a natural feel for composition. (Each photo comes in three sizes: 30x45 cms., @ 310 euro; 40x60 cms., @ 390 euro; 69x90 cms., @ 560 euro. Each is in an edition of 10.) Until 24th July. www.dennisduijnhouwer.com , www.galeriebrandt.com
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"huis marseille: museum voor fotografie" is hanging a retrospective for Adam Fuss showing work from 1986 to 2010. What does a photographer do with an over exposed print? Frame it, of course, And not just one time, but five; and he has a series. And that's what you will see at the very beginning of the exhibit. His series of "photograms" or "water photographs" is a mysterious-like representation of something all around us, all the time, and something we never really notice. The "Ghost" series is mesmerizing. Obviously the technique is reminiscent of Man Ray's "Ray-a-tone" photos but Fuss goes further and with amazing results. Nearly everything is in b/w, but in one gallery there are six examples from his oeuvre in color. Until 4th September. www.huismarseille.nl
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Well, what can you say about this show for "Carolus" at TORCH (Lauriergracht 94)? 3D's first thought was that he is a naïve artist. But while some works reflect that style and technique others are more defined. There is a series that could be described as a contemporary rendering of Oriental erotic art. (55x71.5 cms., pen on paper @ 250 euro; 60x100 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,000 euro; 120x95 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,800 euro.) Until 9th July. www.torchgallery.com
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Eduard Planting Fine Art Photography shows Hans Withoos who composes scenes that range from the banal---a man in shadow sitting at a piano with the Royal Albert Hall outside his opened window---to the bizaare---a pretty lady in a frilly costume posed next to a tomb at Pere Lachaise, Paris. But that's just half of it. It appears that he is content to show these composition---all night scenes---with ambient light. So what you get is color photography heavy on b/w contrast which cast an eerie feel to the imagery. Nice! (66.5x105 cms.,
Cibachrome print on dibond with epoxy. Ed. 12, signed @ 2,250 euro.) Until 30th July. www.eduardplanting.com
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At "VERVERS modern and contemporary art gallery" there is a group show of five artists. Clementine Oomes does mixed-media on paper. The style is conceptual with illusions to the representational. But that's not really important. What is is that each piece is truly unique and speaks for itself. (25x35 cms., ink, glue and transparent paper @ 300 euro; 250x155 cms., drawing on paper @ 2,500 euro.) ...Jan Enno de Jong work is primarily mixed-media with emphasis on charcoal and pencil. The style is pure conceptualism and sometimes with a hint of representationalism. Again, unique work. (13x15.5 cms., acrylic, pencil @ 353 euro; 120x160 acrylic, charcoal, chalk on linen @ 2,605 euro.) ...Corinne Kruger shows her series of female portraits which have a sense of reality but in a pleasing way. (30x30 cms., Ed. 7 @ 550 euro...Dominik Borkowski and Yves Beaumont both paint with oil on canvas and both tend towards the minimal. Until 16th July. www.verversgallery.nl
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Ger Doornink is exhibiting his very unusual portrait works at Morren Galleries (Prinsengacht 572). The portraits are very stylized, but the subject is secondary to both the style and technique. The "face" is the focal point but it is squeezed between expressionistic and organic color flows. The imagery projects itself from the surface of the canvas as if it was in three dimensions. There is also a classical influence. See if you can find the Johannes Vermeer inspiration. (250x150 cms., mixed- media @ 5,800 euro.)

Also showing is the sculptor work of Judith Wiersema who is inspired by human anatomy but expresses it conceptually. She does shoes with elegance. One piece is a foot wearing a high healed stiletto shoe and enclosed almost in Lucite-like material. Also expect to see legs in a variety of shapes and forms but none of them will bore you. Elegant work. (20 cms., high bronze @ 2,250 euro; 50 cms., high black bronze @ 16,500 euro.) Until 24th July. www.morrengalleries.nl
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TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248) presents four artists under the collective title, "Young and Restless." Unfortunately, there are no names tags to go with the works on display. Makes it difficult to single out anyone; 3D did find a book that identified the works and artists. But what you can expect to see are two over sized canvases with very bizarre imagery; think skeletons working to control the movement of lines of color. The work is by Luka Kurashvili (Georgia). There is also examples of contemporary tapestries by Sebastian Weggler (German). It is difficult to tell if they are dyed or weaved; according to the press release they are made of felt. Photography is represented by a duo, André Giesemann and Daniel Schulz. They visited the dance sites after the crowd has gone home. Each photo conveys a sense of melancholoy. Until 16th July. www.tenhaffprojects.com
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At "Gallery nine" (|Keizersgtracht 552) is the work of Frans Vendel who is a conceptual minimalist. None of the paintings on exhibition have more than one color in addition to the white canvas. Using one color he cleverly divides the surface area into geometric patterns. The eye sometimes sees more than is actually present in the "imagery." Its only an illusion. But also monumental and quietly assertive.

Also showing is the sculpture work of Don Satijn who prefers to describe his work as "objects." The objects are made of steel and in a simple square form. The minimalism and simplicity of the designs is reminiscent of Donald Judd. Most pieces measure 10x10x10 cms. Within that diminutive perimeter is a complex linear construction. The result is both monumental and elegant. Until 9th July. www.gallerynine.nl
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The design hotel ARTEMIS (John M. Keynesplein 2) latest show is around the subject of Nature. Studio Erwin Zwiers creates "Twisted Lights" which are hanging overhead like chandeliers made of warped strips of wood layered in concentric circles. The resulting shapes range from conventional to the conceptual. And, hey, here is something that every home needs: an interactive table. Sure we use them for traditional purposes to eat at or work on, but this is the avant garde world of design. Atop the table is modeling clay. You can make the table anything you want in to be and, at the opening, several children---and a few that were well aged "children"---were doing just that. Fun idea and it could be used for therapy. (Lamps: small @ 1,390; medium @ 1,685; large @ 2,580 euro; Table @ 3,700 euro.)...Tired of the traditional sofa? Try this one by Studio Danckmer it allows you to stretch out comfortably no matter your size. It is designed to be beach furniture and "is composed of large long objects inspired by sand dunes." (1,125 to 1,900 euro.)...When 3D was a young boy my mother would collect rainwater. I think she used it to do the laundry. She used a large laundry bucket for the collection process. Too bad Studio Bas van der Veer wasn't around. "Pure Raindrop" is the contemporary "rain bucket." In today's world its most practical purpose would be as a design focal point. It stands about four meters high and is streamlined with a practical addition for collecting and "harvesting" the rain water. (199 euro.)..."Phing Thing" by Gert-Jan Vlaming is an ET or a Gremlin or whatever you want to make of it. For the price of 10 euro, 3D couldn't resist buying one if only to ponder its reason for being. Oh, yeah, if you want a small army you can buy 10 for 85 euro...Thomas Pleeging presents "Mould." "Can products be grown too? 'Mould,' meaning both a fungus and a framework to make an object...mycelium is mixed with cotton fibers and placed in a mould where it starts to grow..." Well, you get the idea. The result is an attractive vase which is multi-purpose. But see for yourself. (450 euro.)...Martin Vlaming is a painter with a style that is basically expressionistic, but not aggressively so. It is, in fact, sort of laid back and gentle on the eyes. There is an organic element in some works. You perceive more than see living things...And there is more... Until 7th September. www.artemisamsterdam.com
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At "outLINE" (Oetewalerstraat 73) is an installation by Mischa Rakier in which she has taken the interior space and turned it into a reflection of our reality. That is, you will walk into the room and the walls and ceiling are covered with mirror like imagery. I say mirror-like because the "mirrors" are not of glass but made from reflective material which distorts the images. The result of this is like a surrealistic paintings but with you being part of it and the experience of it. It's sort of like stepping into a Dali paintings. Cool!. Until 4th September.
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Your first thought when you look at one of Vincent Rijs photographs, at MLB (Witte de Withstraat 32) is to ask "What is it?" By the time you've looked at three or four you stop asking the question. The subject matter is irrelevant. What his photography is is a study of contrast in glorious b/w. Of course not being able to distinguish the subject matter creates mystery and that's what it is all about. (19.5x26.5 @ 200 euro + BTW.)
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C&H Art Space (2e Kostverlorenkade 50) is presenting a summer show with four artists. Wouter Klein Velderman makes objects as "tapestries." But instead of just material he adds plastic and metal. Each piece is on a large metal frame the size of a double mattress. He then stretches fabric---enclosed in clear plastic---on it. The resulting piece projects about 40 cms., from the wall (203x149x42 cms., PVC, wood, synthetic silk, suspenders, book binders glue @ 5,400 euro)..."Lil'Shy" also does tapestry like work but closer to the traditional form. She cuts out highly stylized felt letters and stitches them to a cotton background. Each letter has its own color. (80x90 cms., hand-stitched felt on cotton @ 800 euro; 135x184 cms., hand stitched on cotton @ 2,250 euro.)

Arnold Helbling works on both fabric and Mylar using acrylic paint. The style is geometric abstraction/expressionism with very pleasing colors. The result is not only unique imagery, but imagery with a deep mystery and beautifully so. (46x61 cms., acrylic on Mylar @ 2,000 euro; 92x71 cms., acrylic on fabric @ 5,400 euro.)...Emily Kocken does b/w conceptual photography which combines elements of motion photography. (99x99 cms., Ed. 3 @ 1,600 incl frame.)
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Shintaro Miyake (Japan) is at Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 34) is a conceptual cartoonist who identifies himself to be part of the Japan's New Pop Art movement. On view are over sized drawings broken into sections, often many sections and in different shapes. The imagery looks like children's drawings of different types of dinosaurs. He also includes typography in the work in which a sentence is composed of a series of letters without any interruption and sometimes the letters are so highly stylized that it is impossible to read the text. But, hey, it doesn't matter. It looks great! An object looking a lot like Humpty Dumpty sits in a high backed chair with a smile on its face. Must have been done before his fall. In the back there is a series of objects and each in the shape of a letter that spell out the word "CALM" but if you wish---and with a little bit of effort---it could also spell "CLAM." And, that folks is the title of the show "CALM/CLAM." ("CALM, letters, 170x137x50; 156x75x33; 160x100x48; 172x199x52 @ ?;158x358 cms., acrylic, color pencil and pencil on paper...There was NO price list.) Until 6th August.) www.gabrielrolt.com
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The winner of the 2009 Dutch Royal Prize for Painting, Esiri Erherience-Essi (UK) is at RON MANDOS (Prinsengracht 282) with her oversize works. She is a figurative/expressionist with strong emphasis on both styles. The vibrant colors that form imagery which looks like people in a 3D movie without the glasses. The range of colors makes a rainbow look gray. Some of the works feature elements of typography, in fact, one is all type face print and tells a very short love story. The subject matter ranges from "Dorthy" of "The Wizard of Oz" fame to Liz Taylor in "Giant." There is one negative factor with this show and that is that the gallery----though large---is too small for the works. They definitely need to be in a large office lobby space to be truly appreciated. (40x50 cmsn., oil on canvas @ 1,800; 135x170 cms., oil on canvas @ 6,100 euro; 250x200 cma., oil on canvas @ 9,000 euro.) Until 8th August. www.ronmandos.nl
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A small group show of three artists make up the bill at Art A Casa (Kerkstraat 411). Koos ten Kate paints people and in a way that would appeal to children. But his compositions are sometime unusual. There is always a joyous element. (5x5 cms., @ 75 euro; 60 cms diameter oval @ 1,560 euro.) Three red dots; one green...Joanna Winik paints young girls and young women but with whimsical nuances. As in example, in one work there are three portraits and each subject is wearing a cake or tart as a hat. Kid you not. But there is both tenderness and classical references. Her drawings have conceptual aspects. (800 to 1,200 euro.)...Tourette van Meurs-Oxenaar shows both drawings and oils. One drawing has a person with the body of a Faberge-like egg. His oils have almost a surreal edge while maintaining strong realism factors. But, again, as in the drawing, we see ladies with the body of an egg shaped vessel. (A5, drawing @ 300 euro; 50x40 cms., oil @ 3,250 euro.) Until 12th July. www.artacasa.nl
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"aschenbach & hofland galleries" (Bilderdijkstraat 165c) hangs the chaotic expressionistic mixed-media paintings of Koen Delaere that have strong abstract geometric aspects. If you like color, lots of color, this work is for you. His mono prints standout because of their individual uniqueness. (60x60 cms., monoprint @ 500 euro; 40x30 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,750 euro; 200x150 cms., mixed-media on canvas @ 8,500 euro.)...Showing, too, is Isabelle Wenzel who is basically a conceptual photographer who likes colors and sometimes garishly so. Nearly all feature the female figure, but that's irrelevant. It is only an added element to what is often a geometric abstraction. the poses and compositions are unusual. A juxtaposition to all this are her sculpture works which reflect the forms of rocket ships. (50x40 cms., photo, Ed 5 @ 500 euro; 110x145 cms., photo, Ed 5 @ 1,700 euro.) Until 23rd July. www.gerhardhofland.com
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David Lindberg (US/NL) has a retrospective show at the Nieuw Dakaota (Ms. Van Riemsdijkweg 41b). He is a conceptualist with a sense of humor. Sometimes you have to search for it, but the effort is worth the adventure. He uses epoxy and glass-carbon fiber to create everything from wall-hangings to a "One Person Conference Room" that is about the size of a small holiday caravan...and it has a TV. Two large epoxy pieces---one in red---are like large monochromatic paintings but at the same time with a busy imagery. Who said monochromatic work is boring? Most pieces on exhibit are from private collections with only a few For Sale. (78x30x31 cms., mixed-media @ 4,500 euro; 256x56x296 cms., pigment, glass, cloth and epoxy @ 12,000 euro; 510x205x231 cms., mixed-media @ 28,000 euro.) Until 31st July. www.niuewdakota.com
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The Sexy Art Gallery presents a group show under the title "pornosaints." There are 14 artists from various countries represented. The invite says "Pornosaints is an international collective of artists who portray porn stars as saints." And what you will see is not "pornographic" (sorry!). Nor for that matter, very erotic. The diversification of techniques is excellent: painting, photography, drawings, paintings and prints. Most are representational and a few have a conceptual edge. (60 to 1,070 euros.) Until 31st August. The gallery, itself, is located on the third floor of "The Erotic Museum." And the museum is not what you probably expect it to be. It has an eclectic collection of works in style and technique and the imagery ranges from nudes to Japanese pornographic woodblocks and with everything in-between. There are several famous artists included in the collection and the range is over several centuries. All is tastefully presented. The entry fee is 7 euro, however if you are coming for the Sexy Art Gallery specify the fact and the entree is 5 euro and you can still see the rest of the musuem. www.sexyartgallery.com
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John Hilliard (UK) presents a show titled "Right and Wrong" at ArtAffairs (Veemkade 354). On entering the gallery, 3D first looked to his left and saw b/w photos. Well, I have an affinity for b/w so I started on that side and not on the right where there were color photos hanging. The photos each had strong dark contrast and appeared to be simple landscapes...but, something else was going on. At the fourth photo, showing a cow in a pasteur, I saw that it had more than four legs. Huh? Further down the same wall was a b/w photos---with a touch of color---of a wooded area and three people in color. But they also had a ghostly imagery. Hmmm, what's going on here? On the other side of the room, the subject matter changed dramatically. Views of rooms and people and, again, with a rather surreal aspect. The titles for each photo seemed to be reveling. but in an indirect way. As an example, "Good Dog/Bad Dog" showed a Snoopy-like dog----as a cut-out toy---and a eerie looking naked lady. I decided it was time to talk to the artist. Well, depending on the photo, the technique is complicated to more complicated. The cow (mention above with more than four legs) was a photo taken from both sides of the animal. The two sides were then superimposed with the help of PhotoShop. That's the simple explanation and there is not enough room in this newsletter to go into the more complicated aspects not to mentioned that most times Hilliard makes a preparatory drawing. (41x51 sms., b/w on museum board, Ed 6 @ 1,700 euro; 76x101 cms., color digital print on aluminium, Ed 3 @ 4,00 euro.) Until 25th June. www.artaffairs.net
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WALLS (Prinsengracht) made it easy on 3D for once. The latest exhibition is, like always, a group show of 17 artists. However there is a clearly defined theme: Street Art. "Beyond the Streets" is an apt title because it brings street art inside and off the streets giving it the respectability is has earned after 40 or more years of struggling as an ugly child of art. We have long associated this form of art with the graffiti that mars the walls of any metropolitan area world-wide (even Rome suffered with it during the time of the Cesar's). But by coming in-doors it is becomes more presentable, acceptable, creditable and even more artistic. This is a very good overview of the StreetArt of today which combines styles ranging from geometric abstraction to realism/representational and the Pop Art School. (75 to 3,100 euro.) Until 30th July. www.walls.nl
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Ben Young (UK) presents "Happy Nihilism" and shows it at LOCUSLUX GALLERY (Brouwersgracht 151). Young is a contemporary abstract/expressionist who goes a little further. Expressionism is generally defined, in part, as having lots of color. This is sometimes true with Young, but not also. As an example, he hangs a large b/w work that appears to be a face. But it doesn't really matter since the b/w contrast and abstraction overrides any sense of the representational. Another work emulates Willem de Koonig in both colors and broad brush strokes. Then there is an example of the marriage of expressionism, typography and heavy on color. Each work is unique to the others; the work is both strong and assertive. (100x100 cms., oil, collage, oil stick and spray paint on canvas @ 3,2200 euro; 180x180 cms., oil, collage, permanent market and spray paint on liner @ 5,400 euro.) Until 16th July. wwww.locusluxams.com
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...And just a few doors away at Galerie Van Zijll Langhout (Brouwersgracht 161) is an exhibition for Bas Louter. He makes mixed-media drawings on paper. He takes the figurative more or less as a frame for geometric abstraction. One piece, in b/w, pays homage to Piet Mondrian. The work is in charcoal, gouache and pastel on paper. (1,500 to 4,000 euro.) Until 31st August. www.vanzijlllanghout.nl
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Netty van den Heuvel returns to Galerie De Witte Voet for the nth time. This work is intricately designed ceramic work that sometimes resembles a tree where the branches are intertwined to a piece that is a collection of arches combined and tiered. Wall pieces take on other forms from a simple oval interspersed with holes to a glass ball engulfed in a lattice of porcelain. Everything is snow white. She says of her work that she doesn't work so much with ceramics, but with light. (200 to 5,000 euro; several between 350-900 euro.) Until 29th June. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl
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That's all, folks. The 2010-2011 Amsterdam Art Season officially comes to an end on Sunday the 10th of July. That's the day that the Rietveld Akademie graduate exhibition ends. It was NOT a banner year for sure; and the problems with the Openbare Bibliotheek greatly affected the frequency---not to mention the basic formula---for the "3D List." We'll see what happens "come September." In the meantime, have a pleasant summer and it is looking like it will be a great one weather-wise. Cool...or do I mean Hot? Well, not too hot...

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam. 2011

Gould's 3D List: #18

2011-05-27T13:01:00.000+02:00

Gould's 3D List: #18

What looked like a turn around in the Amsterdam art market at the close of last year has fizzled out with the new year. People are NOT buying. And that hurts! Hurts artists and galleries. Art lovers are not doing their part to stimulate a return to the "good times." Strange! Strange, because the Netherlands unemployment rate is the envy of much of the rest of Europe and half that of the US of A. It's a mystery to 3D.

As to the irregular appearance of the "3D list," well, unfortunately, things have not returned to normal. I still have limited access to both the Internet and a PC. Hopefully, come September, something will come up and we can get back to our weekly get together. I am working on it, but I do need help.

What's Happening:

Max Snow (USofA) is at Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Lauriergracht 96) exhibiting macabre art photography with a sense of humor. You have to laugh at the imagery because it hurts too much to cringe. What can you say about a photo of a skull in a blond wig with a tiera? A pretty lady, naked from the waste up, with a pistol sticking in her mouth? A skeleton straddling a naked lady or a pretty nude lady laying in a coffin with a cigarette dangling from her mouth and a bottle of beer resting on her lower abdomen? And all this imagery in glorious b/w. You got see it to appreciate what Snow does. Until 15th June. Sorry, forgot to check the price list. www.serieuzezaken.info
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At Artspace 50 (Herengracht sous) is Thomas Monses made in Japan show. He made a trip to the country and came back with memories that were inspirations. This exhibition "Everything in its right place" hangs pigment liner drawings on paper which are representational but could accurately be described as linear abstractions. He includes acrylic and gouache works on paper which are simple and sentimental. A series of four photographs are unusual because of their composition of rather banal scenes which have been transformed into intricate designs and patterns. The prices are also attractive. (29x22 cms., dr. @ 180 euro; acrylic & gouache on paper @ 1,600 euro.) Until 6th July.
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"C&H art space" (2e Kostverlorenkade 50) offers Adriaan Ress and friends. Rees designed and fired in ceramic six 50 cms high torsos and asked six different artists to do the designs. And each is a unique presentation, no edition. One has a design in Delft blue; another is a flat gray charcoal; another in a pale aquamarine which is "tattooed" with roses and skulls. Something for everyone. A single work all by himself is a lady leaning over with her head in a bucket.

In the adjacent gallery there is a group show. Patricia Kaersenhout does cut-out collage work that is cut from pieces of paper from old books on history, science and anthropology which are then "rearranged in a new illogical sequence." Angelo Barone (Italy) does photography with an architectural theme...Jantien Jongsma work is like a contemporary condensed version of the Brueghel's. Each piece is mixed media: paint, pastel, w/c, gouache and color pencil...Carine Weve presents conceptual work on paper as a central inspiration. ..Ren Zhangs work is truly mixed media: acrylic, w/c, ink, pigment on photo print and photo etching. The imagery you could describe as portraits, sorta. Until 26th June. www.ch-artspace.com
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Are you curious about contemporary and avant garde drawing? Here is your chance to see an excellent overview with artists from four countries: Stichting ZET (Glazen Huis, Amstelpark) is showing Steven Baelen (Belgium); Jean Bedez and Hippolyte (France); Fiona Michie (Scotland); Lenneke van der Goot, PJ Roggeband and Dorien de Wit (the Netherlands). Expect to see everything from representational to conceptual. Until 30th May. Note: On the 29th May, at 15:00, there is something titled "drawing marathon Cadavre Exquise." Sorry, no website address.
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Galerie Witteveen (Keizersgracht 538) hangs the recent work of Pieter Bijwaard who is an artist 3D has been following for more than 25 years. His work, which is geometric abstraction, has evolved favorably over the years, but he has remained true to his original voice. What is new is how he is representing his work. Most pieces are "ultra chrome prints" of his drawings and water colors. Another series of "ultra color prints" are after photos that appeared in magazines during the 60s. (70x50 cms, ultra chrome pr. Ed. 6 @ 900; 120x90 cms., Ed. 6 @ 1,500.) Until 4th June. www.galeriewitteveen.nl
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A Paris gallery, Frank Elbaz, has taken over the Nieuw Dakota (Ms. Van Riemsdijkweg 41b; NDSM-laan, FREE ferry from CS) to show the artists that they represent. On exhibition are eight artists each working in the their own unique style and, for that matter, time period. The latter is exemplified by the work of Wallace Berman who is described as the "guardian figure of Californian appropiationism and Beat guru." He was one of the first to make "prints" using a Xerox photocopy machine...Bernard Piffaretti is "a painter of duplication." That is, he paints geometric abstractions that appear to be dip-tychs mirroring each other...Davide Balula is a conceptualist who sees artist forms in the most uncommon places. A large dip-tych (about 2 and 1/2 meters by 120 cms) is two sheets of weathered wood from a construction site. You'll never look at "junk" the same way again. There is an intrinsic beauty to it; you only have to open your eyes, well, maybe more accurately, open your mind to perceive it. He also hangs canvases that are more organic in technique and they are both conceptual and minimal and in black and tan. There is more. Until 29th May. www.nieuwdakota.com
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What is art? The ongoing question. One of the best definition is that it is the reinvention of itself, its styles and the technique used to convey it all. Tamara Muller, at "Galerie bart" (Bloemgracht 2), hangs acrylic/oil paintings that's style is representational figuration...but, not really. Not by a long shot! The subject matter looks like young girls and boys with a rabbit or dog thrown in for good measure. But there is something comic about the distorted imagery. The body forms are sketchy and the faces, well, sometimes vague and unreal but with such a depth of color nuances that you might think you are looking at a 17th century master's work. Nice! (50x50 cms., acrylic/oil on canvas @ 2,500 euro; 150x150 cms., acrylic/oil on canvas @ 6,900 euro.) Until 18th June. www.galeriebart.nl
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"Sleeping Beauty" is the title of the exhibition for Natasla Kensmil at Galerie Paul Andriesse (Westerstraat 187). "Studies in black" might be a more apt title however. There is a simple series of 12 charcoal drawings of a crow; a series of 12 charcoals with a cross as a central theme; and a series of 16 mixed-media drawings which, again, are all in black although with a touch of gray. The paintings are another matter. They are "dark" but with black pigments seeming to have an element of green/gray hues. The imagery ranges from a rather delightful composition with a full moon as a focal point, as seen through a grove of trees, to a couple where the subject matter is a woman laid out in her coffin. But what gets your attention are the layers of complexity in the compositions. (24x24 mixed media drawing @ 950 euro; 90x120 cms.,, oil on canvas @ 10,000 euro; 230x180 cms., oil on canvas @ 20,500 euro.) Until 25th June. www.paulandriesse.nl
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AKINCI (Lijnbaansgracht 318) has a group show of seven artists. Here is a glimpse of what to expect. Juul Hondius does photography with no apparent theme but people are a focal point. The view of a man seen through a rain speckled car window is notable for the mysterious aspect it creates..."Gluklya" shows a series of gouaches on paper. The drawings reflect the naïve quality of children's art and all have a family theme...Coralie Vogelaar and Teun Castelein have combined to take us on a trip through the an Arctic region. There are photos and videos which focus on the collecting of Arctic ice for the purpose of scientific study. Until 18th June. www.akinci.nl
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Michiel Ceulers is at PS (Leidsekade 60) showing two sides of his style. In one manifestation he paints "wood." That is, imagery showing wood grains and knotholes. But it is neither hyper-realism nor, for that matter, realism. The brush strokes are expressionistic plus he interjects a rectangle of color to create more tension. The other two works on display are expressionistic and with a linear abstract element. While both paintings appear to be dark there is plenty of color. But sometimes you have to search for itl. Until 31st. May. www.psprojectspace.nl
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Laser 3.14, the Amsterdam' street poet, is often quoted by the "3D List." So, if you are not familiar with the "tag" Laser 3.14, you should be. But he is more than a "poet." At Gallery Radar (Rozengracht 77) are his paintings which are a mix of Pop School elements, comic strip-like illustrations and geometric abstraction. He generally avoids using more than three colors: yellow, red and blue. He keeps it simple. As to subject matter, it ranges from the robotic to alien-like creatures. The work is fun but also has a serious side. Also on display are some of his "metaphysical" statements: "Kiss me or die," "Global warming, oh how charming." and he has designed a t-shirt that reads: "Facebook is the opium of the people." Marx would more than likely agree with the updating. (20x20 cms., markers/acrylic on canvas @ 350 euro; 60x60x4 cms., markers/acrylic on canvas @ 1,100 euro; 112x140 cms., mixed-media on wood # 3,200 euro; t-shirt @ 24 euro.) Until ?
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...Now for a touch of nostalgia for 3D's younger readers. If you followed children's Sunday morning TV, during the 90s, you will know Rembo & Rembo. Surprisingly, they were discovered by a VPRO producer when they were completing their art academy training. They did a performance that the producer happened to see. The rest is history, but their art career was derailed. Well, they are back on track and showing at Gallery Vriend van Bavink (Glederskade 52). The exhibition is more of a coming attraction for a larger and more ambitious show coming this fall. But I digress. As to the art...Their styles are not the same. Maxim Hartman does what I describe as comic caricature portraits; Theo Wesselo makes drawings enhanced by collage additions and they are heavy on typography. In fact, the latter is arranged so chaotically that the alpha symbols become true geometric abstractions. As to what the letters spell out, well, here's an example: "In every ass hole is a heart." Yeah, I suppose, but you sure gotta look for it because you are not goin' smell it! Until __?__. www.vriendvanbavink.nl
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At MLB (Witte de Withstrat 32) Philo Gregoire has titled her exhibition "Life Recycled" and for a very good reason. She has taken works that had gone unsold, cut them into strips and reconfigured the pieces. Some paintings have become sculptured objects that look like boats on stilts. She has utilized the strips on canvases into linear compositions but in a haphazard way and mounted it all on old wood. The title, "Just figure it out" says it all.. Several works are mixed media collage. Busy compositions and there is a complexity to the work owing to both the material used and the compositions. |(20x20 cms., mixed-media @ 575 to 625 euro; 75x60 cms., mixed-media @ 650 euro.) Until 30th May. www.mlb.nl
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Jac Bisschops is back at ARTTRA (2e Boomdwarstraat 4) for the nth time---3D has lost count. It is always pleasant to see a new exhibition of his. I have followed his work over the years and while it is always the "same" it is constantly evolving. That is, he remains true to his original voice which is geometric abstraction basically formed with rectangles and few colors, but the evolution has been nuanced with his choice of materials: wood; gold foil and tempera. The combination brings a new look to his style. The result is thrilling in that such minor adjustments can create something entirely new while everything in its essence remains the same. (26x26x4 cms., tempera, gold foil, wood. Ed. 7 @1,250 euro; 45x41x5 cms., tempra, wood @ 3,750 euro; 152x33x4 cms., titanium white, gold foil, wood @4,800 euro.) Until 24th June. www.arttra.nl
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Laetitia de Haas paints interiors in a perspective that resembles that of a naïve. The compositions also have a strong linear style. Flowers is another subject matter with a strong contemporary impressionistic feel (700 to 3,500 euro.)...Showing, too, at Art A Casa (Kerkstraat 411), is Hendrik Jan Visser who does beach scenes with a style reminiscent of the Fauves. Strong and vibrant colors. There is a mystery element in that the subjects are generally seen from the rear. (425-525 euro.)
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The finalist for the Prix de Rome annual award can be seen at SmartProjectSpace (Arie Biemondstraat 111). In the first gallery, as you enter, Gwenneth Boelens presents an installation modeled around the early days of photography. She does this in a variety of ways. The unifying factor tends to be that everything is in b/w or shades of gray...Vincent Vulsma works with fabric. Everything is also in b/w and shades of gray. Also, the imagery is geometric abstraction that reflects African textile work...Priscila Fernander has made a video around a young girl building a structure with colored blocks. It's fun! Fun, because of certain unexpected happenings; and it is also colorful. Simple, but entertaining and you do get absorb into the "scenario." There are seven more artists to see. Until 24th July. www.prixderome.nl, www.smartprofectspace.net.
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Circle Gallery (Kerkstraat 67) is showing the sculpture work of Papa Adama (Barkina Faso) who has been living and studying in Amsterdam for several years. He is a graduate of the Rietveld Academy and the Rijksacademy. Considering this academic history one would expect a strong European influence on his work. And perhaps there is, but he remains true to his original style and techniques that were obvious when he first arrived. He paints, draws and sculpts; though it may be more accurate to say he makes objects because the material is from the street. He welds it all together into easily recognizable forms: people, dinosaurs, lizards, etc. An example of the figurative is a "man" with his torso formed from a fire extinguisher; and there is a legless man in a "wheel chair." But the piece de resistance is the Big Bird---looking much like an ostrich----which stands three meters high. And it is animated. It takes bows and so should the artist. Good work and great fun! Fourteen works on display. Three red dots. 875 to 7,000 euro...Carla Kanendonk has been reviewed on this site previously. Her work got 3D's attention the first time I saw it. The technique is mixed media,but that doesn't say much. The bases for the works are cut out images of people that form a montage collage and all are in b/w as the background. Over this, she paints figurative imagery, inserts typography, adds beads and all is in bright colors and reflect Caribbean naïve artists. (100x110 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 4,800 euro; 145x250 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 9,500 euro.)...Judith Quan is a photographer that shoots what 3D describes as conceptual representation. She plays with natural light and contrast to capture rooms of the poor in third world countries. The emphasis is on composition that includes the "decorations" of the inhabitants. Six red dots and a lot of green ones. (30x30 cms., C-print, Ed. 7 @ 340 euro; 70x70 cms., C-print, Ed. 7 @ 1,450 euro.) Until 14th June www.circlegallery.nl
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The library at "foam" (Kerkstrat 609) is reserved for young and talented photographers. Grant Willing shoots in b/w. His choice of subject matter is eclectic though he favors scenes from nature. He uses b/w in both extremes. That is, there is a winter scene of a frozen waterfall which is nearly a monochromatic white; and a view of a wooded areas that is dark to black. Both have a haunting quality. You sorta expect something to appear unexpectedly at any moment. In a photo of a tree against a sky background he uses a di-positive effect rendering the tree's trunk and limbs as white against a black sky. Until __?__.
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The CBKAmsterdam (Oranje Brijstaatkade 71) has done something radically different from their past exhibitions. This new show is an exhibit of "URBANART EFX." It focuses on street art seen in cities around the world that generally mar the walls of buildings. CBK has brought it all indoors and made it legitimate. And the show is truly international since the thirteen artists come from Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, the UK, Mexico, India and, of course, the Netherlands. Expect also to see video, sculptures pieces in addition to drawings, photography and paintings. Some works hang far above the floor and from the ceiling.Until 28th May. www.urban-art-efx.com, www.cbkamsterdam.nl
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At Kahmann Gallery (Lindengracht 35) is work by Albert Watson (Scotland) and his style is evocative of Paul Strand (USofA) and Yousuf Karch (Armenia/Canada) but with both contemporary and avant garde nuances. As with Strand and Karash there is strong contrast in all his b/w photographs. He brings it all up to date with unusual poses, backgrounds and situations. A "portrait" of a lady (Kate Moss), whose head is covered with a hole-riddled stocking, is a study of figurative geometric abstraction. There is also often a vague melancholy aspect which is more introspective than it is depressing. He does fashion and celebrity photography in addition to art photography. He has done over 200 covers for Vogue and 40 for Rolling Stones Magazine. (61x76 cms., Ed 25. @ 5,800 euro;to 61x76 cms., Ed 25 @ 20,000 euro. N.B. The prices are determined by how many are are still available in an edition.) Until ___?___. www.kahmanngallery.com
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Ludo Winkelman shows at BMB (Kerkstraat 127) with a style that harks back to the German Expressionist of the 20s and 30s, but with contemporary nuances. Three over-sized canvases are conceptual portraits done with a mixed media technique. The base is a digital print on canvas. The imagery is achieved in a way that resembles the way metal filings reconfigure themselves on paper when a magnet is place beneath the surface of the paper. In this case, the filings are reeds found along a river side. (32x22 cms., @ 750 euro; 47x38 cms., @ 900 euro; 240x180 cms., @ 25,000 euro.)
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Two artists show at "aschenbach & hofland galleries" (Bilderdijkstraat 165). Sven-Ole Frahm does canvases that range from minimal to busy-busy. Each work is mixed media: painting and collage. The collage part is very interesting and not only because of the material---strips of raw canvas or painted canvas---but how it is included in the composition. There is both a geometric abstraction and linear quality that gives his work unity. (125x125 cms., mix media on linen @ 5,500 euro; 210x220 cms., mixed media, acrylic, oil on linen and cotton @ 8,500 euro.

Julia Münstermann does what appears to be minimalistic paintings that require lots of work. It is representational, but it comes across as a conceptual interpretation of common scenes. The canvases tend to be dark and either in shades of blue or green. Your senses see panoramic night views of city scape's, but they are so vague that it doesn't matter. Nice! (30x22 cms., acrylic on linen @ 950 euro; 140x190 acrylic on linen @ 5,500 euro.) Until 11th June. www.gerhardhofland.com
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Alan Charlton is at SLEWE (Kerkstraat 105) with an exhibition that is not for everyone. Only a select few art lovers will appreciate his work and style. Charlton is a conceptual minimalist that does monochromatic painted canvases and presents them with a conceptual redundancy. He limits the color range to no color. Well, almost. All the works are in various shades of gray. "Each" piece is composed of from five to 12 canvases. And together they comprise a monumental composition. One red dot and two greed dots. (42x70 cms., acrylic on paper @ 5,500 euro; 45x117 cms., Nine canvas sections for a total size of 133x360 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 44,000 euro.) Until 4th June. www.slewe.nl
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On Sunday, the 22nd of May, the restaurant Patroon (Zeeburgerdijk 52) turned their space over to a group of artists. The space, itself, is rather spectacular. It is a late 19th century industrial site with the original overhead crane still in place. The restaurant was closed for the one day only exhibition; and I couldn't find a menu. A total of 13+ artists were showing with work ranging from posters, to video, to cut-outs, to drawings, to photography, an installation and there was a "performance." The latter was interesting, if not artistically, then from a psychological angle. You entered an enclosed octagon area with three three meter high mirrors, each separated by a curtained rectangular area which appeared to enclose something like a Punch & Judy stage. You took a seat on a stool that swiveled. At one point, a set of drapes opened and a man stared out at me but said nothing. 3D made comments, but there was neither a reply nor any physically acknowledgement that any one of them had registered. Then a second set of drapes parted and a woman started out at me. I made humorous and ironic comments but, again, no response. I even tried to out stare her...even that didn't illicit any retort, physically or otherwise. I finally, I said, "It must be love!" De nada was the reply. The experience was five minutes long and rather disconcerting. Sorry that I can't give credit to the two "performers" and/or artist, but there were no name tag on anything. We were given a sheet of paper listing the participants and they were numbered, but NO numbers appeared on any of the work. Pity! Pity since there was a few exceptional pieces. www.wordookpatroon.nl
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If you are in the area of the harbor, near the entrance to the IJ-tunnel, check out the installation, in the water, behind ARCAM (Prins Hendrikkade 600). It is "Manifestatie BRAK" by Roel van Timmeren and Floris der Kleij. They have made a three+ meter high figurative sculpture from green netting that looks like seaweed and strewn over a supporting cross like that used for a farmer's scarecrow. In place of a face, there is a deep sea divers' helmet. Take the kids. They will probably enjoy it more than any adult. A related program will follow on 19th June; 27th August. See for info: www.swamps.nl; www.arcam.nl
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"Gallery nine" (Keizersgracht 552) has an exhibition for Hubert de Boer who is a geometric abstract artist with his own unique watercolor technique. He does simple rectangle washes and overlaps it with one or more squares and/or rectangles. Simple, but elegant. His color chart is rather limited and quiet. That is, no strong vibrant colors but hues of brown and blues. Nice! (22x22 cms.to 25x28 cms., watercolor on Arches Aquarelle @ 850 euro.) Until 4th June. www.gallerynine.nl
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"Timeless" is the title for Femke Teussink's exhibtion at Galerie Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570). Her work is not meant to be portrait work, but they are portrait studies. That is, no one commissioned her to take the pictures but they are all "portrait" photographs of young ladies from the age of about 10 to their early 20s. She has a couple of unusual techniques. In several photos, we see the subject through a haze; they are a bit vague but also mysterious. In other examples, she has drawn with white paint an oval outline on the subjects face. A very large photo of a woman, in a red dress, is hanging directly opposite the gallery's entrance and at a distance of 30+ meters. It commands your attention immediately upon entry. Oh, yeah, it ain't for sale. Sorry. (Each work is offered in two sizes: 70x70 cms., Ed 7 @ 2,950 euro; 109x80 cms., Ed 7 @ 3,300 euro.) Until 6th June. www.galerierademakers.nl
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...And directly next door at Morren Galerie is Paul Day (UK/FR). Day has taken material and a technique more common with the 19th century and reinvented it. He forms---or sculpts?---images that are truly 3-dimensional from terracotta resin. There is a classical opera theater scene where we view the interior and stage from seats at the rear of the upper balcony. Another shows a person's face from the tip of his nose to the upper edge of the eyebrows and from ear to ear. The figure is wearing glasses. Okay, that much is rather simple, but, get this, in the section where the glass' lenses should be is a collection of figures---25+---that is the reflection of the view of the room. Cool and with fantastic detail ((70x120 cms. terra cotta resin @ 12,700 to 18,000 euro.)...Hanging on the walls are the photographs of Brooke Shaden that are elaborate in their posing and production. And the posing is not only unusual, but often conceptual. Some of which defy explanation. All feature females. (100x100 cms., photo on dibond, Ed. 5 and Ed 10 @ 2,800 euro.) Until 12th June. www.galerieutrecht.nl
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Please note: some of these shows will be closing in the next few days so you gotta hurry, hurry, hurry. Don't wait. Don't stop at "GO." Just GO!!!

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

2011-05-14T12:44:00.001+02:00

As if there isn't enough to do in Amsterdam, culturally speaking,then we are subjected to THREE art fairs in one week! Go figure. So this list is devoted to two of them. One has been omitted for two reasons. One, it was poorly organized and, two, well there just isn't the time to do it and write about it before it becomes history. I refer to the Affordable Art Fair. Generally speaking, this had been a well organized effort. However, this year, 3D first heard about it when I received announcements from participating galleries. I had received nothing form the AAF's PR department until last Friday. I was told it would open the 11th May, Wednesday, the same day as ArtAmsterdam. Bad timing, guys and gals. Another fair, Art Spot Amsterdam, is smaller and much more manageable than the two others. And since the organizers opened the exhibition on Tuesday evening, hey, it was easy.

Art Spot Amsterdam (Loods 6 @ Knsm-laan 143). Until 15th May. Times: 11-19:00

Art Spot Amsterdam is a small fair with big art. It was organized with 16 galleries. Basically, these are galleries that, for whatever reason, were not invited to participate at ArtAmsterdam. The reasons for that probably differ from gallery to gallery and involved several factors. The most important is that ArtAmsterdam occupies only one hall section of the RAI; and while it is large, it can only accommodate so many booths. In past years, the galleries left out have found indirect ways to be "included" by grouping together at another location.

And the result is always an eclectic collection of styles. At Art Spot they range from figurative and representational to conceptual, to minimal, to sculpture, and even African art. Hey, I forgot photography. And in that category, again, there is a broad range of types. Nor will you be short changed with minor artists. There is no work that might be described as marginal. All is at the highest level.

One artist/photographer that caught my eye is Barbara de Vries (Galerie 'EEWAL' Amsterdam) who does work that is both original and evocative of the early Man-o-Ray photos. Also, some works have been brought to Amsterdam at substantial cost. As an example, at Galerie Noordeinde (Den Haag) is a sculpture work by a Korean sculptor, Jaehyo Lee that stands about two meters high and is of considerable weight. The gallery holder told me that it cost nearly 3,000 euro to transport from Korea. Another work, by the same artist, while smaller, is close in weight to its big brother.

The best part of Art Spot is that it is DOABLE. Your legs won't get tired and your feet sore. Your biggest problem will be: What Not To Buy! There is a lot that's desirable and for every taste. Galleries include: Jos Art, Gallery 9, Lieve Hemel, Petit, Rademakers, Eksteen in Art (South Africa), et al. Entry: 5 euro. www.artspotamsterdam.nl
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ArtAmsterdam

ArtAmsterdam is the 27th edition of this yearly event. It is the second fair under the direction of Edo Dijksterhuis. To the practiced eye it is apparent that cost cutting has entered the picture, but, fortunately, to the general public, it will not be apparent. Another factor that may or may not have to do with new budget consideration is that several galleries, that in years past, have had large booths are now confined to small spaces. Of course, there is the positive factor that there are probably more galleries represented; and there are certainly more non-Dutch galleries showing then in recent years. Most are German as far as the foreign contingent is concerned.

Perhaps the place to start this year's tour of the fair is on the ground floor (near the coat room) where you will see We Like Art! which is organized by www.welikeart.nl. The organizer's have selected artists showing at galleries attending the fair but with an important proviso: Nothing exceeds 1,500 euro. The wall space is busy since the work is hung 19th century salon style, but do it first, jot down the names of artists that you like and the gallery and check out more of their work as you go through the fair.

"No Holds Barred" which was an initiative introduced last year is back. The basic concept could not be more simple. Galleries, participating in the fair, are invited to submit "proposals in the fields of photography, painting, performance, installations, film or whatever takes their fancy." The only perimeter is that the work must fit a 5 x 5 meter space. There are 12 examples scattered throughout the fair. The range is from the simple like Jio Xingtao's (China) "cardboard" shipping box fashioned from marble (Canvas International Art) to Simon Gush's (South Africa) video (West) of a football game played between the railroad tracks of a railroad switching yard to Tinkebell's installation (TORCH) spotlighting the fictitious(?) history of a young girl to the monumental "Temple of Doom" which comprises four VW Bugs resting vertically on their rear bumpers and forming an arch. Fun, fun, fun...and then her daddy took her T-bird, oops, Bug, away. Well, you gotta see it!

The budget crunch has had many victims and one was the bankruptcy of Thieme which sponsored The Thieme Art Award. But, fortunately, there was a white night standing in the wings. A printing company---with a small publishing house---Lecturis (Eindhoven) stepped in to support the initiative. This year there were 58 entries for the Lecturis Award and five were selected as nominees. Each artist is showing two works. A jury will select the winner on day two of the fair. There is no cash award to the winner, but something better. Next year, the person selected will have their own FREE booth at ArtAmsterdam. Last year's winner, Paulien Oltheten, is showing at Stand 106A this year.

3D regrets that it is impossible to review all the participants at ArtAmsterdam but what follows is a selection which was predetermined by the route I took. In previous years, the fair has required from four to four and one half hours to see everything. This year it took six hours. The extended time requirement had to do with one of two factors, lots of good art to see or 3D is just physically slowing down. But it is proably a combination of the two because there truly is a lotta good things to see and experience. So, on with the show...

For the novice there are FREE tours to the exhibition every half hour; and at 13:00 and 16:00 the tour is in English. No reservation required. Nice.

While the following numbers don't seem to indicate a systematic approach to viewing the galleries it is. If you turn right, as you enter the fair, an proceed to following in a straight line and along the outer perimeter of the area you will find each gallery next to each other or across the aisle.

Stand 141: "Frueh-sorge" (Berlin) shows only contemporary drawings which represent a full range of current styles.

Atand 121: Vous Etes Ici and Galerie Michael Sturm (Stuttgart) are showing together separately. Well, sorta. Expect to see the artists showing at VEI own space; and M. Sturm is showing paintings, sculpture and wall hangings.

Stand 138: Galerie La Ferronnerie (Paris) shows metal wall hangings that are rectangular geometric abstractions. If drawings are your fancy, check out the work of Richard Müller, Marie-Amëlie Porcher and Frédéric Coché. Nice contemporary examples of the technique.

Stand 124: Art Affairs exhibits the photography of Katrin Korfmann exclusively. While all the examples are representational, her perspective views of the subject matter is conceptual resulting in imagery that is more abstract than its reality.

Stand 101: Phoebus (Rotterdam) hangs a variety of conceptual works ranging in technique from very, very minimal to drawings and works on canvas. A little of everything and nearly every piece a surprise.

Stand 136: Galerie Van der Meiden (Antwerpen) hangs a neon work by a Mexican artist which is, in a word, spectacular! It is two meters in diameter and with four colors. It is also provocative in that all the imagery consists of guns, knives and swords.

Stand 134: Galleri Thomassen (Goteborg) shows Plexiglas three dimensional rectangles that pay homage to Piet Mondrian linear abstractions. And very nicely, too. The gallery is also showing several drawings. One is truly remarkable because the imagery explodes from the paper's surface. Really! From the main composition, a bird seems to fly from it and as it "leaves" the surface it becomes three dimensional. This technique could be kitschy, but it is so well done it becomes masterful.

Stand 098: Dick de Bruijn Contemporary Art left Amsterdam a few years back and relocated to Middelburg. Lucky Middelburg. At this fair, De Bruijn has an eclectic collection of styles and techniques. A linear abstract oil on metal is unusual in that it sits on a pedestal resting on the floor and standing about 10 cms., high...Joost Hoekstra presents wall hangings made from acryl and "papydur" which are conceptualy redundant abstractions.

Stand 130: "Hunchen toot" (Berlin) hangs the lino cuts of Philipp Hennevogl. If you like print work and think you have seen it all, well, check this out. It is impossible to explain in words the incredible detail that the artist achieves in these representational linear abstract b/w over sized prints. The editions are small: four. The price is expensive for a print, but once you have seen them you will understand why. And,you gotta see it to believe it...Sharing the space is b/w photographic work by Gregor Stephan in a style and technique that is uniquely his own. He experiments with technique and especially likes the serendipity element to play a role...And with pleasing results.

Stand 129: Galerie VIVID (Rotterdam) presents a truly mixed bag of objects from a chair and table set (not to be found at Ikea) to an "installation" consisting of a wall painting and a rug. The colors are all kitsch, but the overall effect is conceptual as well as abstract.

Stand 080: BORZO is spotlighting the work of Corrie de Boer (1932|) who is a minimalist that likes simple geometric abstract designs and she hangs naturally along side of Jan Schoonhoven. A wall of 64 A3 charcoal drawings by Carlijn Mens is dramatic. Recent work by Patrick Sauze is conceptual minimalism in b/w and shades of gray.

Stand 079: De Rijk Contemporary Art (Den Haag) exhibits conceptual minimalistic work on paper as well as sculpture pieces. Huibertje Kant exemplifies the latter.

Stand 030: Bruto Gusto (Berlin) shows crochet dolls by Johanna Schweizer, but these are not the type that little girls play with. The sizes range from 10 cms., to 150+ cms., high. The images include skeletons, the devil and African-like masks. All are very colorful.

Stand 033: Galerie Clement exhibits Suzanne Hartmans geometric abstraction fashioned from wood. The work for the most part is monochromatic white or gray with whatever colors added almost subliminally...Sandra Kruisbrink works with pencil, pastel and tempera and the imagery is generally trees with an expressionistic or abstract background.

Stand 016: De Witte Voet has Satoru Hoshino works in ceramic. One series on view is what might best be described as free-form conceptual. But, at this exhibition, there are two walls hangings each consisting of hundreds of pieces and all are in b/w or shades of gray. Three scrolls in black ink wash reflect the themes of the ceramic works.

Stand 014 "galerie baer" does something different. Jan Brokof shows b/w prints, drawings and a construction piece that will make you smile. It is a city' block and the street is filled with demonstrators which are represented by children's action figure toys....Stefan Lenke does colorful geometric abstract paintings and groups them together creating an added dimension. A wall has become an "installation" with a b/w linear abstraction work which more or less frames the colorful canvases.

Stand 013: Galerie Brandt has the work of Kim De Ruysscher who is a sculptor working in sandstone. She forms tree cuttings that show the bark and cross grains. There are four on display that are really big...and very heavy. Each piece is monumental.

Stand 006: LhGWR (Den Haag) hangs the quirky drawings of Johan Gustavsson which, while figurative, are conceptual in nature. The compositions are unusual in a way that the empty space creates an added tension.

Stand 004: HB Galerie (Rotterdam) hangs photographs that look like geometric abstractions, but are photos of LED lights. The artist, Davor Sanvincenti, slowly constructs the imagery over a period of about two months. Also on display are sculpture pieces that are figurative but completely different in that the material ranges from rope to nails to mirrors. The artist is Wietse Eeken.

Stand 005: Soledad Senelle Gallery hangs a solo show for the Chinese artist Zhenchen. It is an exhibition that has been banned in China. Of course, it is difficult to perceive why because there is nothing that appears to be an overt provocation. He focuses on the revolutionary changes in the city of Shanghai. The new buildings and the old which are in the process of being destroyed. And it is this latter aspect that got the attention of the authorities. More often than not, the owners of these places don't want to be relocated. There is a very intriguing video. It is made on the technical premise of a child's kaleidoscope; the toy that you looked through the hole at the end of a 20 cms tube and turn at the end. The imagery was a constantly changing geometric abstraction. He has replaced the simple geometric figuration with the faces of the 100 world leading cultural figures. Fun!

Stand 001: "Galerie bart" exhibits a video piece by Peter van der Es. Video art falls into one of two categories: Boring or mesmerizing. The Van der Es example falls into the latter description. He has made a continuous loop film (4 minutes per segment) that is a MUST see. We see the interior of an American diner with it's stainless steel trimmings and ubiquitous Coca Cola sign all in color. It is evocative of Edward Hopper's "The Nighthawks." There is a counter and tables. Above it all has ceiling fans slowly turning. Seated at the counter and at tables are seven people, all in b/w. Most are easily recognizable: a young Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Peter Lorre, Uma Thurman and all are smoking up a storm. There is a continuous cloud of tobacco smoke. It harks back to the era of B-movies and a time when smoking was seen as a glamorous pasttime. Great!

Stand 045: Galerie Willy Schoots doesn't have a "booth" per se, but an "island." They show Studio Job which is a husband and wife team. The duo tell their own story through objects and paintings. The former consist of a very unusual table as well as a very different styled desk; ceramic pieces and a beautifully designed marquetry cabinet made of Bird's Eye maple, Indian rosewood and ebony. The paintings are "framed" with utilitarian motivation. That is, a wall mirror has a detailed painted frame and a room divider is also hand painted. The colorful style is reminiscent of Bavarian and American Amish painted furniture.

Stand 147: Galerie Ron Mandos hangs the detailed pencil drawings of Rik Smits. He leans towards doing architectural monumental skyscrapers and Cathedral towers. But the imagery goes beyond the genré. He interjects surreal qualities and, sometimes, humor and/or creates representational abstractions. Nice work!

Stand 146: Galerie AKINCI has several of Esther Tielemans geometric abstracted objects on display. Some are wall hangings and other sit on pedestals. Colorful and innovative in design.

...Again, this is a sampling of only 24 galleries showing at ArtAmsterdam. The list is not meant to imply any order of excellence; it is a random selection determined more by the "geography" of their location. But, be assured that you will see true visual wonders---and some with sound---which reflects all styles, techniques and the nuances of avant gardé art.

The show closes on Sunday, so hurry. Open from 11 to 19:00. Admission price: 20 euro, 10 euro after 17:00 and FREE for children under the age of 12. More info at: www.artamsterdam.nl
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It's Party Time: Serieuze Zaken Studioos, the Melkweg in association with The Glass Center for Art, Science and Conversation presents "The Days and nights Festival Party #1." It is Friday the 13th from 22:00 to 01:00 and headlines: Philip Glass, Lavina Meijer, Tim Fain, Claron McFadden and the Attacdca Ensemble plus 17 "performers" that included F*cking PoP Queers and Ultrasexi, Chef Thor, Isis, Inez, Metropolitan Deli, et al. Tickets are 30 euro or order through the Het Parool website and pay 25 euro. Food and drinks provided. At Lauriergracht 80. More info: www.serieuzezaken.info

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

2011-04-23T15:32:00.002+02:00

Gould's 3D List: #16

How should 3D do this? I have neglected reviewing gallery exhibitions for reasons that have already been described (See Nov. (4), List # 11.) This is a disservice to the artists involved. So, should I just add on reviews to the current list, Number 15, or advance it to a new one. I do like the idea of maintaining the museum reviews, through the life of the exhibition, so this is what creates the quandary. What to do? How does this sound, I will list the museum exhibitions in the Index, but you will have to click on to List #15 to read them.

I complained, on the previous list, that sales for the first two months of the year were not good nor promising to the future. However, back in December, I read this article, "At Art Basel Miami Beach, a new bouyancy on display" by KateTaylor. (www.iht.com, 8th Dec. 2010). Part of what it said was, "'The art market is back!' was the chorus this week among most of the major dealers at the fair...they were thrilled to see the new buoyancy playing out at the fair...'I could have sold almost everything twice,' an elated if slightly exhausted-looking Marc Glimcher, of Pace Gallery, said Wednesday, a few hours into the fair." Holland has a tendency to follow the lead of Americans. Let's hope they do in this case. And with that said, during the last few weeks, a few galleries have showed lots of red dots. At one the total was over 150 euro. At another, I couldn't calculate there were so many.

INDEX;

Bits & Pieces:

What You Have Missed...But the Show Goes On...

Review for The Club of Amsterdam: The Future of the Brain

Reviews for Current Museum Exhibitions: Van Gogh, Stedelijk, Hermitage - Amsterdam are on April: List #15.
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BITS & PIECES:

The Broers Foundation and the Stedelijk Museum have announced that they have "dissolved [their] relationship on their cooperation for the 'Vincent Award.'" The two jointly hosted the prize in 2006 and 2008. No reason was given.
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The Service Garage has listed the names of contributors to their cause on "The calligraphed 'Memorial Stone.'" by Job Wouters. Several hundred names are noted. Are you one of them? www.vriendenvandeservicegarage.nl
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"Art students"---3D doesn't know how that is defined---are invited to participate in a photographic interpretation of your intimate space.'" A total of 42 contributors will be selected and invited to show their work on the project's website, in a book and at the Olympic Village in Innsbruck. This is in conjunction with the youth Olympic Games 2010. www.intimatespace.net
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"Your Name in Lights," by John Baldessari, with the Stedelijk Museum and the Holland Festival, invite you to submit your name via www.yournameinlights.nl. It will then appear on a large illuminated sign on the Museumplein in Amsterdam. Now is your opportunity for 15 seconds of fame.
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"foam" has launched its 10th anniversary project called "What's Next."More info at: www.foam.org/whatsnext
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It has been announced that Heineken is now the main sponsor to the Hermitage - Amsterdam Museum.
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"A morning at an Israeli checkpoint," by Katia Salomon. She writes, "As Jews we were stunned by what we saw." www.iht.com (4th April).
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The former Secretary General of the UN, Dag Hammarskjöld, noted, "The UN was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell."
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...To which Mark Twain replied---had he been still alive: "Heaven is for the climate. Hell is for the company."
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Garfield, the cat, had this recent observation: "I won't say Jon [his master] is a bad housekeeper...And I won't say this house is dirty...But I have to wipe my feet before I go OUTSIDE."
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Laser 3.14 says "Corners of Reality, Slave of the Digital Overflow," at Centuurbaan 89. And at the corner of the Paulus Potterstraat and Van Baerlestraat he has penned, "Benzedrine, Benzedrine, Benzedrine, Benzedrine, Benzedrine, Benzedrine, Benzedrine." Well, when you do speed you have a tendency to repeat things...Say it ain't so Laser. Next to this was a poster that said, "Your Art Could Have Been Here." and it was...For Laser.
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How has computer technology advanced since 1960? Well, since we measure memory as how many bits of info, that is how many "1s" and "0s," with a prefix like "kilo" which stands for 1,000 bits the stages of progression has been as follows: kilo-, mega-, giga-, tera-, peta-, exa-, and now zetta- and in the wings, waiting for technological advances, is yotta-. Please don't ask 3D how many zeros that is.
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WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED...And, STILL SHOWING...But, HURRRRRY!!!

Dick Cassée proves that artist neither die nor just fade away but they go on and on with each new creation, not only a work of art, but as something from the heart. I have been following his work for over 25 years after seeing him at Bram Volker's Assilyn gallery. At the time, he specialized with etchings that were minimal in their imagery. And, at 80 years old, he is still a conceptual minimalist and specialized in print making. In this show, at "galerie 9" (Keizersgracht 552), there are drawings and watercolors. The forms are simple and recognizable and tend to be monumental. (12.5x18 cms., watercolor @ 660 euro; 28x27 cms., drawing/watercolor @ 905 euro.)

Also on show is Sakia van der Made who works in marble. She carves simple forms and both polishes the stones and leaves part unfinished and rough. (27x55x40 cms., marble @ 1,900 euro; 55x30x20 cms., bronze, Ed 8 @ 5,000 euro.) Until 29th April www.gallerynine.nl
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Anton Reijnders is showing at De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) with something a little bit unexpected for this gallery which specializes in works of ceramic. Indeed, each work, on display, has one or more elements that can be classified as ceramic. But it is the other element(s) that get your attention: A stool, folding chair, a "JUMBO supermarket" bag, flower pot, black drape....Hmmm. Hard to put it all together into any one image. So let's call this an exhibition of conceptual ceramics. The prices range from 300, 950, 1,300, 12,500 and to 5,200 euro.Until 7th May. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl
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Galerie Mokum ||(OZ Voorburgwal 334) shows the work of Robert Vorstman who is a contemporary impressionist with expressionistic brush strokes. The imagery is the city street. In fact, the streets of New York. His colors are true to the subject matter, but the representation is vague enough to give not only a sense of "anywhere" but also geometric abstraction. Three red dots and two green at opening. Until 1st May. www.galeriemokum.nl
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Two artists are showing at Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843). Inge van Haastert paints geometric abstraction with a difference...And it is a big one! The colors and color combinations are not what your might expect. Nor are the arrangement of symbols, colors, design and/or composition traditional. (50x50 cms., @ 1,100 euro; 100x120 cms., @ 2,420 euro.)

Saskia Moro is an expressionist. But her colors and their arraignments almost unconventional for the genré. The color themselves range from those favoring earth hues to aquamarine to cobalt blue to a few that look like washes. Then there are a few that are representative like landscapes and sky scape's. (44x44 cms., @ 1,100 euro; 100x100 cms., @ 2,450 euro.) Until 30th May. www.galerie-clement.nl
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Karin Hoogesteger is at Galerie Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570) with a show titled SUM. She paints portraits of young females, but that is only part of the story. Hoogesteger has a technique of doing washes on linen. She uses both ink and acrylic with nice visual results. In some works, she goes further by adding geometric abstraction to cover the subject matter creatng tension. (100x130 cms., acrylic on linen @ 3,400 euro; 160x200 cms., acrylic on linen @ 6,100 euro.) Until 29th April. www.galerierademakers.nl
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...And just across the canal, at Galerie Brandt (Prinsengracht 799), is photographic work by Sabine Pigalle; and it defies classification. The works are not "portraits", but the imagery is just that! What removes it from that general classification is its conceptual nature. The subjects---both male and female---have had their bodies covered with what appears to be white powder. The females have very original and sculpted hairdos. The background is always black. The artist adds geometric abstraction with objects like arrows, bugles, leather caps, etc. Sometimes the added object is a bold visual like a model red sailboat against the model's body; or provocative like a woman with bleeding nipples, a man holding a heart and whose neck looks as if it has been garroted. Good work. (120x120 cms., Lambda on aluminium, Ed 6 @7,000 euro.) Until 24th April www.galeriebrandt.com
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She paints female portraits with a style that is reminiscent of Modigliani. She enhances the ladies with backgrounds that range from floral designs to art deco to typography. The backgrounds should not come as a surprise because the artist, Marie Godest, At Art A Casa (Kerkstraat 411), studied fabric design in Paris. she brings her knowledge of this craft to her art.Other pieces have a typographical theme in which the background is a newspaper. What you get is the figurative juxtaposed with the geometric abstraction. (40x30 cms., oil + collage @ 225 euro; 30x30 cms., oil @ 350 euro; 110x70 cms., oil/acrylic @ 1,500.euro.) Until 3rd May. www.artacasa.nl
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"C&H artspace" (2e Kostverlorenkade 50) is showing Jarg Geismar who has several styles and techniques to amaze you with. On entering the space, you eyes revit on two neon signs; not to mention, the two dolls that dangle from the ceiling and just touch the floor. But then you get into the serious work. He does colorful abstracts on delicate cellophane and covers it with glass and frames it so that the imagery is on the glass but about 3 cms., from the backing of the frame. The result is twofold: the abstraction, itself, plus its shadow in gray and he sometimes adds color which mirrors that in the abstract. In addition, there are three figurative cut-outs which, once again, cast a shadow on the background surface. Plus, four miniature acrylic abstracts on cellophane from a cigarette package. Nice work! (950 euro for cigarette piece; 52x72 cms., cellophane, glass @ 4,300 euro; neon, Plexiglas and wires, Ed. 3 @ 5,000 euro.) Until 5th May. www.ch-artspace.com
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BORZO (Keizersgracht 516) is exhibiting the paintings of Koen Vermuele. I describe his work as contemporary impressionism but with the added nuances of both expressionism and geometric abstraction. However, he tends to be light on color. In fact, some works have a heavy black background that enhances, dramatically, both the light and subject matter. A huge canvas |(200x360 cms) is a tour de force in combining monochromatic elements with linear abstraction. The subject matters range from a simple and streamlined landscape to the figurative. In the latter, and generally, the subject is in contemplation. Good work; and one or two masterpieces. (70x40 cms., gouache @ 2,200 euro; 60x125 cms., oil/acrylic on canvas @ 6,600; 200x360 cms., oil/acrylic on canvas @ 20,000 euro.) Until 7th May. www.borzo.com
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KOCH X BOS (1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 5) is showing the French artist, CIOU, for what is the third or fourth time. Freud would have had a field day trying to get into the mind of this young females illustrator. She has a weird mind! It is filled with fantasy and often backed up "musically" or by journalistic reports from our time. Well, that's a cryptic way of saying she drawings on sheet music and newspaper, but, admittedly, it takes a little study to perceive it. First you must get through the figurative drawings which range from cartoon like damsels to an ET-like figure with a body of worms. Worms? Well, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Fun and whimsical; and the work comes in glorious colors or just plain b/w. The prices start at 290 euro for a b/w drawing. Who said you can't afford to buy a work of art? Also, for this show, there are T-shirts available in her unique design. All are 35 euro and the first 20 will include your name stenciled onto the back at no extra charge. Until 30th April. www.kochxbos.nl
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Hieke Luik does ink and pencil on paper and sometimes adds a collage element. The work is minimal expressionism. In addition she sculpts in both bronze and wax. Again, the pieces are minimal. (49x65 cms., watercolor @ 1,000 euro; 150x275 cms., watercolor @ 3,800 euro; 278x100 cms., sculpture @ 8,750 euro.) Also showing at "g_i_s_t" (Bloemgracht 82) is the work of Marjolijn van de Assem who draws on paper, in b/w, expressionistic pieces with elements of geometric abstraction. (23x30 cms., ink on paper @ 450 euro; 50x40 cms., oil on linen @ 3,100 euro.) Until 15th May. www.gistgalerie.nl
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Marieke Bolhuis is a photographer and glass sculptor; and to make it all the more exciting she sometimes combines both techniques into one work. She is showing at VERVERS (Hazenstraat 54) and does conceptual landscape photography. It is conceptual because she adds a recurring element into the pictures. An object that looks like a clay tumbleweed is prominent in the imagery. In a series of three photos, which have sort of surreal colors, she adds to the glass front half circles of colored glass. These add ons might, at first, be seen as kitschy, but since the colors reflects those in the photo it works beautifully. Two illuminated glass sculpture pieces are attention getting. (47x70 cms., digital print, dibond Ed. 5 @ 1,300 euro; 110x80 digital print, dibond, Ed 5 @ 2,200 euro; 200x40 photograph with glass, unique @ 3,000 euro.) Until 14th May. www.verversgallery.blogspot.com
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TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248) has a case of measles. Kid you not! Ten red dots, at the opening, for the work of the British artist, Andrew Gilbert. He has been here before with an installation that really got your attention. This show is no different in that respect. And in another sense it is a continuation of that show. He has a theme which is evolving: Military iconography. He manifest the subject matter in several ways. There are gouache drawings that in style border on the naïve, though when you see a line drawing, next to it, you know he is not a naïve. The drawings are military scenes or soldiers in 18th century style uniforms. He does sculpture pieces that might better be described as figurative objects. And he makes these objects more interesting by making the uniforms of canvas and then painting the designs and ornamentation on to that. www.tenhaafprojects.com

The gallery space has been turned into an installation which is worth a trip to the exhibition in itself. The installation "frames" the watercolors and drawings. Everything is for sale including the different elements composing the installation. (40x29 cms., watercolor, pen on paper @ 1,300 euro; 100x70cms., watercolor, pencil on paper @ 2,200 euro; sculpture objects, 2 meters high @ 2,500 euro.) Until 21st May. www.tenhaafprojects.com
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It may be the start of a measle epidemic. Not to be outdone, Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 34) was awash in red dots too. In fact, no one knew exactly how many. The gallery holder, in answer to my inquiry as to how many had been sold, said "There are four left!" His assistant said, "I haven't counted the red dots yet." When I suggested the figure ten, she said, "That should be close!" All this excitement for the New York artist Ryan McGinley and his photos. And it is unusual photography. Strange compositions. Weird imagery. Some incorporate motion photography, there are portraits---one with a pussy cat----and nudes, but the latter pieces ask a question: has this person been physically abused? One amazing photo features a man and woman, seen from the rear, looking into an orange sky. (80x150 cms., Ed. 3 @ 10,000 euro; 200x300 cms., Ed. 3 @ 30,000 euro; no these prices are NOT typos.) The latest issue of the magazine "I-D" (Issue #312|) features an article on the artist. Until 14th May. www.gabrielrolt.com
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Galerie Fons Welter (Bloemgracht 140) is exhibiting the conceptual work off Gabriel Lester. Several objects are easily identified, but as to their meaning in regard to an artistic statement it is ambiguous. You will see a snow globe with the model of a church inside; a glass globe; a potted plant. All stand alone. There is a "slide show" that has different themes. The first, shows a piano keyboard and a pair of hands positioned on it, the next, in the series, shows the hands in another position, and so on. This is followed by a series with the sun peeking through the clouds and as the series progresses so do the clouds and finally it all morphs into a geometric design.

PLAYSTATION features the work of Antonia Carrara. It consists of conceptual photographs and videos inter mixed with two molded wax hands playing with a small bronze ball. They are from molds made from the artist's own hands. Sorry, couldn't located the price list. Until ??? www.fonswelter.nl
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This review may be prejudiced. Prejudiced because the artist, C.A. Wertheim, and 3D use pretty much the same pallet. She supports her art making by delivering the mail. As she walks the streets, she collects material from the street: bottle caps (metal and plastic); paper products (reconfigured by the weather elements); fabric, springs, small brushes, tubes, etc etc etc. Where we differ is in how we use the detritus of society. She fashions bouquets of flowers and even makes "portraits" (One is a self-portrait). What makes it all so amazing is that you are not immediately conscious of any of this from a distance; the bouquet of flowers looks sorta like a bouquet of flowers. Nice! (52.5x40.4 cms., mix technique @ 1,400 euro; 70 cms diameter, mix media @ 2,400 euro; 180x120 cms., mixed media @ 5,500 euro.) At Cokkie Snoei (Hazenstraat 11) Until 8th May. www.cokkiesnoei.com
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Ron Amir is at Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Laureirgract 96) with super large (300x200 cms) and intricate drawings that seem to be a contemporary resurrection of the 17th century artist H. Bosch with a touch of the Breughels. One work has one hundred or more figurative drawings. There is a moodiness to the work and maybe even melancholy, but if you can overcome these factor, his technique is masterful. A series of expressionistic figurative paintings puts a little color into the show. See the exhibition and make your own evaluation. (30x40 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,000 euro; 50x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,200 euro; 300x200 cms., charcoal on paper @ 10,000 euro.) Until 30th April. www.serieuzezaken.com
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At the NO name gallery (Prinsengacht 575)---which really doesn't have a name---are the etching of Sanna Leupen. She has an unusual methodology for her technique: etchings on leather. As to the imagery, It ranges from figurative expressionism to conceptual redundancy to geometric abstraction. In other words, you won't be bored. 8 red dots at opening. Ooops, closed 17th April. Info at: sanna.leupen@xs4all.nl
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At Van Zijll Langhout (Brouwersgracht 161) is the work of Boukje Janssen and, well, it is something completely different. First of all, ALL the pieces are in b/w and elegantly so. Eight drawings are figurative, sorta, but conceptual in nature. They are playful and at the same time representational. Two works on canvas are three dimensional. Both are portraits with added decoration like sewing pins. And the sewing pins, in each piece, are manifested differently. What can you do with a black feather? Apparently a lot without doing much of anything. Huh! Well, you gotta see it. Nice piece! And there is more, some with typography as a focal point. (24x34 cms., embroidery on white tracing paper @ 400 euro; 19x83.5 cms., pastel, graphite, pins @ 590 euro; 50x60 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 1,000 euro.) Until ???. www.vanzijlllanghout.nl
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Michael Scott (USofA) is at "witzenhuisen GALLERY" (Hazenstraat 60) with very colorful linear abstractions in a variety of patterns. And that can be boring, if not banal. What saves Scott's work from being either is his chaotic and/or haphazard technique. But to understand that you got to GO! (43x43 cms., oil/enamel on aluminium @ 3,000 euro; 100x150 cms., oil/enamel on aluminium @ 20,000 euro.) Until 24th April. www.witzenhuisengallery.com
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This is a fun show and you better hurry since it closes like yesterday, almost. Jochen Mühlenbrink, showing at "aschenbach & hofland galleries" (Bilderdijkstraat 165), proves that art is only an illusion. On walking into the space, your eye sees canvas stacked against the wall with their backs showing. Did someone forget to complete the hanging? A few people thought so. But 3D knew that they were really painted images of the back of canvases because I had put my nosed right up to the surface only to discover that there was not really a stack of canvases, well, maybe one or two were stacked and the rest only painted to look like that. Cool. Then there were all these boxes on the floor as if they had just been delivered by DHL and not yet been opened. But look closely. Very closely. It was all paint; even the taped corners were painted tape corners. (100x74 cms., oil on canvas @ 4,200 euro; 220x238 cms., oil on canvas @ 15,000 euro). Until 23rd April www.gerhardhofland.com
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Check out the "International Art Exhibition," at the OudeKerk. There are 23 artists showing and the show is a WOW! Almost, without exception, every artists stands out: paintings, photography, sculpture, drawings, mixed media, video. etc. You name it; it's there. Until 12th May. Info at: www.artinredlight.com
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Jill Greenberg (USofA) is at Jaski Art Gallery (N. Spiegelstraat29) with large format photos of bears. And she bares all when it comes to the furry animals. She specializes in photographing them; all types and all possible poses and some that just don't seem possible. I mean, one of the bears winked at me. Kid you not! I asked her if she used stuffed bears or the real thing? She said, "Oh, they're are all alive." Hmmm. I then asked, "How do you get a bear to wink at you?" She replied, "You take a lot of snaps!" Each photo comes in two sizes: 61x51 cms., and 127x110 cms., And there is a progressive pricing system. Buy the first number in an edition of 10 and it is 3,500 euro; and the 10th number will cost you 9,500 euro. Two weeks after the opening there were 45 red dots. Until 24th April. www.jaski.nl
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Two artists are showing at RON MANDOS (Prinsengracht 282). Carl-Johan Högberg has an unusual technique in his use of painting with b/w. It is sort of di-positive in that the black is the background that also defines the form. His subject matter and style sometimes has an African feel; sometimes reflects classical imagery; and sometimes Euward Muybridge's style of a rapid figurative motion. ((20 cm diameter, oil on MDF @ 1,000 euro; 230x180 cms., oil on canvas @ 9,00 euro.)

Roderick Hietbrink is in the back galleries with his photography; but he adds elements to his compositions. He finds an outdoor scene and within the imagery he covers something with a heavy velvet like fabric. The color of the material becomes a factor in the overall composition. In a small gallery, there is an installation, with seven pedestals, draped in the same type of fabric. A video of flowers is both colorful and fun. In another gallery, there is a video projection presented as a trip-tych. In each, we see the same scene from a different angle and/or distance. And the scenes change. Suddenly, we realized that there is something going on. Slowly, it becomes a dramatic happening and with sound...But, hey, enough! You gotta see it to appreciate it. Hint: Its title is The Living Room. (2,500 to 16,000 euro.) Until 7th May. www.ronmandos.nl
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Paco Raphael is at "amstelgallery" (Stadhouderskade 155) with both a different and an unusual photographic technique and style. In fact, photography is only a small part of his technique though, admittedly, a major component in his compositions. Essentially, they are collages consisting of photographic imagery and typography; sometimes a pretty woman or two; with the New York city scape as a background and sometimes as the main attraction. He combines it all and plays with colors, b/w, mirror imagery, etc. The work is often busy, but certainly eye catching. (50x145 cms., mixed media @ 2,375; 175x75 cms., mixed media @ 3,075 euro.) Until 13th May. www.amstelgallery.com
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TORCH is showing the erotic work of Terry Rodgers in his fourth solo-exhibition at the gallery. He does paintings, videos, photography and mixed media, but that's just a simple description. His compositions range from reprsentational to conceptual. In the latter examples, he uses photographic images then applies graffiti atop it along with other unusual components. His large paintings explore the depravity of contemporary society by picturing orgies, but while they are explicit scenes, they are not pornographic. A new technique and style are his expressionistic prints on canvas. A few have an added element with painted on imagery. All are unique. Two videos are on display. One features and erotic "dance." The other consists of a column of six black boxes---each with a video screen---and each feature an individual; there are four females and one male represented. (Paintings: the price list says, "Price on Request" and a bird whispered in my ear that that worked out to $120,000 each. But don't let that scare you...Hey, it is cheaper in euros; 112x213 cms., mixed media---ink jet and acrylic on canvas @ 10,000 euro; Video tower installation with original music, Ed 5, on a sliding price scale, #1 @ 7,000 euro and #5 @ 15,000 euro; Light boxes, Ed. #, #1 @ 3,200 euro; #3 @ 5,400 euro.) Until 4th June. www.torchgallery.com
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At RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427) Roos Eelman shows her mixed media paintings. She paints b/w expressionistic canvas, but adds collage elements, also b/w, which blend in so well that it is hard to separate the oils from the printer's ink. How she combines them is marvelous as well as subtle. Nice! (1,500 to 2,850 euro.)...Manuel Esteban is an expressionistic abstract painter; and there is a subtle figurative element also included. Bright colors that border on the kitsch. (1,650 to12,000.)...Godelieve Geurts does figurative sculpture work, but with a radical technique. She cuts out (or collects?) scrap metal plates in various forms and welds them altogether. Wait until you see how she does hair. A nice touch is the humor she evokes like the smoker standing next to a butt filled ash tray. Good work! (4,000 to 8,500 euro.) ...Sofja Wolsky does representational paintings at their best.The style is contempory impressionism with elements of the avant garde; especially conceptual redundancy as exemplified with The Tower of Babel or the group of underground spies. (1,450 to 4,000 euro.)...Streamlined and simply carved marble forms is the work of Marja Verhage. It is monumental with subtle nuances. (1,600 to 3,500 euro.) Until 21st May. www.rudolfv.com
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At the new jewelry location, Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12), is the work of Felieke van der Leest. To give you an image to identify with think of those little finger puppets you would make as a kid. Now, put them in another context as jewelry and to be worn as a brooch or necklace. Of course, these are more elaborate and some resemble an Aztec' god; and they are made from silver and gold with beads. Beautiful and fun. The necklaces are often miniature tapestries made with beads, gold, silver and a small toy animal or, get this, pencils aligned in a series that makes a form resembling a house. (Brooch, Ed. 5 @ 750 to 1,350 euro; Necklace, Ed 5 @ 1,750 to 1,950 euro.)

Felix Linder shares the space with simple forms and simple ideas. Many of the examples are monochromatic and one series incorporates alpha symbols in conceptual redundancy. A necklace is comprised of several blue star on a gold chain. (Brooch 780 to 1,750 euro; earrings @ 275 euro.) www.galerierobkoudijs.nl
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The KUNSTKAPEL (Prinses Irenestraat 19) presents 20+ young artists; and there are lots of surprises. Stijn Basianene paints and draws. The latter work is figurative with a surreal touch. The paintings are, well, different. Unusual compositions and imagery...The sculptor Caroline de Bruijn gives the technique a new dimension. As an example, there is a young deer in the position that an avant garde dancer might assume or a contortionist. But the piece is "wrapped" (framed?) in heavy twine. Another work hangs from the ceiling. Its form is conceptual and the way it all comes together is captivating...Sarah de Vos does photography in b/w using motion as a style and technique...Bram van Leeuwenstein has created a four by one and one half meter simple conceptual piece in conceptual redundancy by using gray plastic cups---in various shapes. It is a wall hanging. ..Tom Poelman paints. The style is basically expressionistic but he approaches it from several directions with nice results...Thijs Zweers does b/w drawings but he contrast the figurative and/or representational with the abstract and sometimes a conceptual edge. The works are all for sale. Don't miss this show. It is a WOW! Until 15th May. www.virtueel-museum.nl
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SOLEDAD SENILLE GALLERY (Sloterkade 171) is two spaces in one. It is a fashion design studio that presents two collections per year. After that is out of the way, the space is made into an art gallery. Emmeline de Mooij is a conceptual photographer and sometimes with something added on like the sitting man covered with mud and his over sized cartoonish head is made of clay. Two works are fashioned from material and are dimensional; plus an abstract tapestry. (830 to 1,900 euro)...Ruth van Beek does photographic collages which you really gotta see to begin to appreciate and not only for her sense of compostion and imagery but her sense of humor. (22x26 cms., @ 750 euro; 33x39 cms., @ 950 euro.)...Eleni Kamma does a series of cyanotype monoprints in b/w and gray. She also shows a five minute HD animation with voice over which is colorful and against a black background with a beautifully animated abstraction. (65x50 cms., @ 2,975 euro; DVD, Ed 5 @ 3,800 euro.) Until 15th May. www.soledad.nl
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Gallery Victoria Kovalenchikova (Centuurbaan _____) shows Victoria Kovalenchikova. This artist gives herself about three or four shows a year. Generally speaking, this could be boring. However VK continues to evolve if not reinvent her style and technique. Her current show is a mixture of almost representational works---a vase of flowers---to a fantastic b/w paintings that is expressionistic, representational and is a linear abstraction. In other words, it is visually exciting. In other works she has taken a page from Bram Bogart by her generous use of pigment. The flowers all seem to be real. From that description you might expect the work to be colorful, but this is really not the case. She uses color with discipline which enhances the imagery, but not overcoming it. (50x50 cms., @ 1,000; 210x185 cms., @ 10,000.) Until ??? www.vkgallery.nl
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WALLS (Prinsengracht 373) is always a headache to review. Not because of the work; that part is most enjoyable. But by the fact that there are generally about 15 or more artist. Hey, give 3D a break. I get writer's cramps when there are more than five artists. But I digress. Fieke van Dieren proves that anyone can afford a work of art. The prices begin at 35 euro---framed! It is a photo print measuring 10x6 cms., and in an Ed of 20. The style is conceptual representational. She does larger work and there is always a mysterious aspect to the imagery. Nice....Corine Barendregt does lacquer paintings using symbols but with a raw and likable quality. (120x130 cms., @ 1,750 euro)...O.N.A. (three people) hangs photos on dibond. They are conceptual and in b/w; and they certainly don't look like photos...Tabitha Sluis uses mixed media to produce portraits of young girls. She draws then adds paint and various fabrics. Hey, it works! (30x21 cms., @ 150 euro; 120x100 cms., @ 1,300 euro).

Vera West has an intersting style and a good technique. She favors b/w and shades of gray. The work is representational. Sorta. Sometimes there is a strong geometric abstraction element and sometimes the influence of motion photography. (40x50 cms., @ 500 euro; 90x120 cms., @ 1,250 euro.)...Ingrid van der Kamp does minimal mix media. Simple figurative line drawings decorated with a few dabs of paint and gold foil. Nice. (80x80 cms., @ 1,000 euro; 120x180 cms., @ 1,825 euro)...Sigurd Koeleman uses, well, a variety of techniques and even imagery: expressionism, graffiti, strip art, collage and colorful; did I forget b/w? (30x30 cms., @ 250 euro; 90x145 cms., @ 2,000 euro)...Paul Tas does Delft Blue like ceramics but with humor. Vases and jars that reflect the classical with the Dada and a little kitsch thrown in. (150 to 250 euro)...Margreeth Evers' work is mix media on glass. The work is mounted about five centimeters from the wall. The ambient light does much to influence the imagery and the nuances of the contrast and/or color. Those factors change as the light changes. (62x115 cms., @ 1,200 euro). Well, sorry, I didn't mention everyone so it is up to you to go see what else is being offered. Until 4th June. www.walls.nl
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Susan Schildhamp has an exhibition at Fine Fleur Art Gallery (Weteringstraat 21) showing here Amsterdam city scape. And while she does paint canal houses, they are much different then you expect from the genré. The compositions look more like a color chart; and the compositions are geometric abstractions. There is also a naïve quality to her style. It will be her colors that win you over: Bright, vivid, vibrant, etc. (120x100 cms., @ 3,980 euro; 120x20 cms., @ 1,750 euro; 35x120 cms., @ 2,250 euro.) Until 16th May.
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It doesn't get any better than this...Melanie Bonajo is at outLINE (Oetewalerstraat 73) with a very personal and most unusual exhibition. She has arranged, on shelves, some 80 personal objects that reflect her life. She has labeled each as to their significance. And all this comes with a very nice surprise: EVERYTHING is FREE for the taking...But, one to a customer. At the opening, Bonajo sat blinded folded, in a chair. You would take the object to her and describe it. She would make a further comment and hand you a numbered tag with her initials. Here is a sampling of what you would have seen: "Lingerie. Saved for special moments, only used once," for a piece of underwear that looked like she had bought it from a Victoria' Secrets' catalog; "Two passports. 17 countries." One was described as a gift from her father: "Only personal gift ever received from father. Never worn. Golden Blouse." (Price List: FREE). Until 21st May. www.outlineamsterdam.nl
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REVIEW: The Club of Amsterdam

Once a month, The Club of Amsterdam, presents a program in which three or four people discuss a certain topic and each from a different perspective. Always interesting and from time to time even a bit provocative. The topic for April was "The future of the Human Mind." What I had expected was not what I got. I had been expecting neuroscientists, maybe a brain surgeon or even a psychiatrist, but what the audience got was the actress Adda van Zanden as the Moderator; Luc Sala, a media personality, though with a scientific background; Humberto Schwab, a philosopher; and Maurizo Zollo who was billed as a management expert, amongst other things.

Luc Sala said that an individuals persona was a mask; and we must discover and understand out inter self. "We sense energies, past, the now and the future, but in a very distorted way...We create our own world." His overall approach was metaphysical. He quoted Jung in saying the brain functions with: thinking, Sensing, feeling and Intuition. One revelation was this: "You are your breath, not your heart. This is what a Yoga teacher will tell you." And some of you will like this, '" Astrology! I use it!."

Humberto Schwab got our attention by explaining some misconception that are common even to the well educated. He said in talking about Physics we are not really talking about a science. "Einstein said, 'physics is philosophy.'" And he extended that even further when he said that "physics is an artistic expression by scientist. Forget about facts."

The next event is on the 19th May: The future of Singularity. See for more info: www.clubofamsterdam.com
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That's it! Considering what the weather has been like---read: beautiful---it will probably take some effort to visit a gallery near you. And, what can I say, the parks have been like a work of art for the last two weeks. But, hey, TRY to take in a show or two. Remember, artists NEED your support. Kid you not!

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

2011-04-07T17:04:00.001+02:00

3D List: #15

Well, 3D was reporting, last fall, the revival of the Amsterdam art market; lots of red dots where sprouting. Then the new year came and, damn, it seems as if a virus hit the city's galleries and the red dots have been few and far in between. One gallery holder told me, last week, that during February, and after 15+ years in the business, she was asking herself, "Maybe I should be doing something else." There is not a logical explanation since all economic factors are showing increases from company' profits to increased employment numbers. You gotta do your part!

Of course, 3D could put the blame on himself since I have not been reporting on What You Have Missed since last November. But that would be egotistic for me to think that I had such an impact on the art buying habits of the Dutch public. And as to the fact that the "3D List" has been on hold, here is the latest. I appealed to Meldpunt Discriminatie: Regio-Amsterdam. They sent a letter to dienst@oba.nl which replied to that with the same exact "offer" that was made to me last November by a supervisor at the new Openbare Bibliotheek. When I pointed this out, I was told, by Meldpunt, that they could do nothing and that there where NO discrimination laws in the Netherlands. Huh? Again, Hans van Velzen (dir@oba.nl) is the man to direct your letters to if you want the return of the "3D List."

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Museum Reviews:

Rijksmuseum: Metsu;

Van Gogh Museum: "Picasso in Paris, 1900-1907;"

Stedelijk Museum: "Temporary, Part 2;"

Hermitage-Amsterdam, "Splendour and Glory, Art of the Russian Orthodox Church." + Restaurant Review

Bits & Pieces:

The Rijksmuseum has announced the appointment of Jane Turner as the new Head of the Print Room as of 1st September. She is an American and a specialist in Dutch 16th and 17th century drawings. The Rijksmuseum Print Room is one of the top five in the world with more than 800,000 paper-based works.
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Christa Meindersma has been appointed the new director of the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development. She is an international lawyer by training and most recently was the Deputy Director at the Hague Center for Strategic Studie.
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Did you know that the first audio tour of a museum exhibition occurred at the Stedelijk in 1952?
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Laser 3.14 says, "Bathing in River of light and Everlasting Glee." At Nieuw Kerkstraat 5.
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Quote: "Architecture is an abstraction of nature."
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The wisdom of the comic strip: First character: "Texting...facebook...Twitter...Fantasy Leagues...All this so called social networking is just a soulless waste of time...People use to enjoy being alone in their thoughts...Now it seems like that's every one's biggest fear!" Second character: "Maybe we should just start an anti-social network." First character: "Other than being an oxymoron, that's brilliant." Non Sequitur. 11th January. 2011.
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MUSEUM REVIEWS:

Gabriël Metsu: A master rediscovered

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Well, this is embarassing. I have misplaced the notes I took concerning this exhibition; I have now made three searches but to no avail. Therefore, the review will probably be shorter than the exhibition deserves. Sorry.

Gabriël Metsu (1629-1667) is not a 17th century Dutch artist that is well known even to those who think they have a knowledge of that century's Dutch artist. I speak from personal experience. A year before this exhibition opened I was at a press showing at the Rijksmuseum and it was announced. We were taken into a gallery to look at one of his portraits that was hanging there. My first thought, how his style was so like Johannes Vermeer; especially the light.

When you see the exhibition you will undoubtedly think the same and why not? Until the late 19th century, many Vermeers were misidentified as being by Metsu. They were contemporaries and were born in the same neighborhood: Metsu, Lieden (he moved to Amsterdam in 1654, at 25) and Vermeer in Delft. It is estimated that there are about 25 known and authenticated Vermeers and about 130 Metsus. So why Vermeer took prominence over the last 100 years is any one's guess. Obviously, they knew of each others work and style. Whom influenced whom is not really an important issue. What each did speaks for itself and beautifully so.

A brochure visually compares two works by Vermeer and two by Metsu. Vermeer's "A girl reading a letter by an open window" (1657), and Metsu's "A man writing a letter" (1664-1666), show that there are similarities in composition, subject matter and light. The other comparison is of Metsu's "A woman reading a letter" (1664-1666), and Vermeer's "The love letter" (1669-1670), and there is, again, an uncanny similarity. In one case, Vermeer's work came first and in the second example it was Metsu that may have been the influence. But, despite their similarities, their paintings are very different in both atmosphere and technique. Was one a better painter---or artist---than the other? That's like comparing apples and oranges. They were both masters. And both painted several masterpieces.

Metsu was a noted genre painter in Amsterdam and painted scenes from history, portraits and still lifes. There are 35 examples in this excellent exhibition.

Damn, I just noted, in a brochure, that the show closed the 21st of March. Sorry about that.

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Picasso in Paris, 1900-1907

Van Gogh Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 7)

When you attend a museum exhibition you expect to see an artist's masterpieces. Perhaps everything hanging doesn't really fall under that classification, but a significant percentage should. The current show, at the Van Gogh Museum, titled "Picasso in Paris, 1900-1907" has only a few "masterpieces," but, for any afficiano of his work, this is a must see exhibition. Must see because in a sense a more accurate title would have been "The roots and formation of a master." And the show has taken four years to piece it together.

At the age of 19, Picasso left Spain and came to Paris. His "training," up to that point, had been mainly at the feet of his father who taught at an art academy. His knowledge of art styles had been limited to what he could see in the museums of Spain. Paris was an eye opener to the young man. The Louvre was a mind-boggling experience. The Paris art community, his training ground. And it was in Paris that he came face-to-face with the Impressionist. A whole new world. It was staggering. It motivated him, inspired him and drove him to work at a furious pace.

The early part of this period is most famous for "The Blue Period." The inspiration to that was an emotional one. One of his first friends, in the city, was an artist by the name of Carles Casagemas who committed suicide in 1901. That event had an enormous emotional impact on the young Picasso. His paintings became more somber, dark and with much melancholy and we see a metamorphosis from the portrait-like style to the symbiotic rendering. But there was a great deal more to his oeuvre, at the time, than this.

You will be surprised to see how many different styles are represented. You will also be surprised to see works that look like they could have been done by Steinlen, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas and Cezzane. And they look that way because Picasso had not only a good eye, but the skills to copy another artist's style. He did it intentionally because it gave him an understanding to their technique. Even Van Gogh is represented; in fact, in the 50s, Picasso would claim that he was a modern day Vincent. He was fashioning his own education.He was looking for his style.

During the summer of 1905, Picasso traveled to the Netherlands to the seaside resort of Schoorl. You will see "Three Dutch Girls" a beautifull and colorful gouache on paper work. It was during this period that the blue period faded into the "warm hues of pink and red." His trip to Holland was probably motivated by his friendship with the Dutch artist, Kees van Dongen. There are four works in the show that could have been painted by this fauve artist; the colors, the style and even the brush strokes are all Van Dongen. It was no accident. They were neighbors. Back in the 80s, I spent an afternoon with Von Dongen then 80 year old daughter, Dolly, in Paris. She regaled me with stories about the Paris art scene from her youth to her middle age. She told one story about how she had awakened late one night and her parents were not at home; they had gone to a party. She wandered from the house and into the narrow lane, outside her door, and the wind slammed it shut. She became frightened and began to cry. A man came up to her to ask what the matter was? Choking back tears she explained the problem. The kind man invited her to his place down the lane to await her parents return. He became friends with the parents. His name? Picasso.

Much of the work on display is done on cardboard. There were two reasons for this: 1. It was cheap. 2. Oil paint dried more quickly on cardboard than on canvas. These are a few of the small gems of trivia that you will come away with from this excellent exhibition of a painter becoming a master. The show concludes with the year 1907 and these two works: "Female Nude with Arm raised" (pastel, chalk and led pencil on paper) and "Study for Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (pencil and pastel chalk). Two seminal works that were the prelude for Cubism. This exhibition is the road map to how the master got to where he was going before he knew what his destination was. Don't miss it.

Performance: Each Friday night, during the life of this exhibition, there is a performance by the Dansgroep Amsterdam titled NOMADE. It is choreographed by Krisztina de Chatel and has been inspired by Picasso's Blue and Pink periods and specifically with his themes revolving around burlesque and the circus. Three men and one women---two in Harlequin costumes---perform a conceptual dance. One man is continuously "walking" on a large ball. A very stocky man---and nothing like what you would expect physically of a dancer---lends a rather disassociated presence. Oh, yeah, there is also a full scale horse. The opening scenes are without sound. The "dance" is reflected on the back wall in shadow. Then the woman mounts the horse and about five minutes later there is a roll of drums and this is followed by music hall' sounds and the dance becomes more animated. The duration of the piece is about 25 minutes.

It is presented every Friday night through to 27th May and at two times: 19:30 and 20:45 and at no extra charge.

The exhibition, itself, closes 29th May.

The Catalog:

Marilyn McCully, a leading expert on Picasso, is both the curator of the exhibition and editor of the catalog. In addition, she has contributed seven chapters.

In the first, "Picasso Discovery of Paris," she tells us that he came to Paris for two reasons: 1. As a journalist for "Catalunya artistica" assigned to cover Exposition Universelle (1900); 2. One of his paintings, "Last Moments," had been selected to be exhibited at the Grand Palais. You will learn, too, that Picasso did not intend to stay and didn't. He would return to Spain, but after a series of disappoints related to his art, he decided that his future was in Paris. The suicide of his friend, Casagemas---which launched his "Blue Period"---was another contributing factor. He returned to stay. The catalog follows the early years for a young person growing into a man.

There are a total of 80 photographic reproduction of Picasso's work done between 1900 and 1907. An excellent----and very revealing---overview. Included are a few works not in the show. There is also work by Van Gogh, Van Dongen, Daumier, Derain, Cézanne, et al alongside a derivative piece by Picasso. All the important facets of his time in Paris between these pivotal dates is fully covered. A reading of it will give one more than an introduction into the future master; it will give you an understanding of everything that came after 1907. A student of art becoming an artist.

The reproductions are beautifully realized and the layout is both clean and elegant.

Available in English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Catalan. @ 29.95 euro, 256 pages with 175 illustrations. Paperback.
***

Temporary Stedelijk 2

Stedelijk Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 13):

For the new Stedelijk Museum's director, Anne Goldstein, her experience thus far must seem like it is a combination of the Kafkaesque, a journey with a white rabbit into Wonderland and an odyssey all mixed into one adventure or maybe misadventure. The latest, almost surreal event, was the bankruptcy of the construction company, Midreth, that was building the new wing. Fortunately, another company stepped into the void and not too much time was lost. But, somehow, Goldstein continues to function, admirably, like nothing has happened.

Her second show, that carries the apt title Temporary Stedelijk 2, brings us closer to the normal and what to expect for the future. On exhibition there are the masterpieces from the permanent collection to new acquisitions. And many nice and unexpected surprises. As an example, as you ascend the grand stairway, to the upper floor, your attention is immediately galvanized on the lobby's "lighting." The lighting is actually two massive light installation works by Dan Flavin (USA). One is titled "untitled (to Piet Mondrian through his preferred colors, red yellow and blue)" and it dominates every section of the four walls. It is bold, dramatic and monumental and all this in a subtle sort of way. The style is simple with circular fluorescent lights attached perpendicularly to linear tubes. It is a spectacular display with 80 separate fluorescent light units. The second Flavin piece complements alll of this by becoming a halo in green as an accent. The green linear fluorescent tubes ring the overhead skylight. It is on loan from the Flavin family. Both would make for an outstanding permanent piece to the museum's collection because it defines the space brilliantly; a perfect juxtaposition of the old and the new.

From the lobby, you enter the Grand Gallery which has been segmented into three sections allowing for more work to hang; and the arrangement also puts the majestic Matisse collage into not only a new context but a more dramatic setting then the small gallery it occupied before the renovation. It hits you as you come through the doorway, into the gallery, and you have a distance that allows for its full appreciation. In the same gallery, on the east end of the room, there is an abbreviated selection of Piet Mondrian's work ranging from his Naturalistic period to the linear abstractions You will see a compact overview of the latter style from the years 1920 to 1929.

He shares the space with with the Russian Kazimir Malevich and his works dating from 1915 to 1927. They make a perfect contrast to the Mondrian selections. Both were seminal to the 20th century modern art movement. At the opposite end of the Grand Gallery is work by later 20th century artist: Ellsworth Kelly, Barnett Newman, Brice Marden and, the American female artist, Jo Baer who has made Amsterdam her home for the last 30 years or so.

Just off the Grand Gallery a surprise awaits. There are five patinated bronze expressionistic figurative sculptor works by Willem de Kooning done in the early 70s. I have had a strange history with appreciation for this artist work. I saw my first show of his work at the Chicago Art Institute in the late 60s. I didn't like it! I took a dislike to him personally, too. The show consisted of his series of expressionistic black "portraits" of ladies. I thought him a misogynist. The opinion changed when I viewed his expressionistic landscapes that have been hung in the Stedelijk over the years. I was also unaware of his sculpture work until seeing the pieces now on display. Complex in form and visually captivating.

And more surprises...The first show of the Temporary Museum featured graphic work by Willem Sandberg, the museum's director after World War II. Linear notes explained that many posters designed during his reign, as director, were, in fact, from his own designs. This current show continues our education of the man who stands out as probably the most influential and innovative director of the museum during the 20th century. There are vitrines that display more of his graphic work. From April, 1943 until May, 1945, he was in hiding because he was part of the resistant underground fighting the Nazis. During this period, he amused himself by producing 20 manuscripts under the collective title "experimenta typographica." The works are exquisitely made note books consisting of collages, graphic design and typography. Nice!

And there is more design. A corner gallery has a collection of furniture by both Dutch designers---like Gerrit Rietveld to Piet Hein Eek---and non Dutch---like Charles Eames. There are also other examples by lesser know designers. Another small gallery has eight vitrines displaying examples of new jewelry. The style ranges from simple forms to whimsical and conceptual to the kitschy. Something for everyone.

Look for the room with the mirror composition. It is a composition that's always changing----right before your eyes---and never the same. They are eight mirrors that revolve 360 degrees thus reflecting not only the room and the viewer, but the outside as well. Simple, but fascinating. It is by Germaine Kruip (NL, 2004).

Olivio Martinez Viera (USA/Cuba) shows six works on paper from 1970. Two are about 3.5x6 meters. Big and dramatic! They were originally commissioned by the Cuban government, in the mid 60s, as posters "to mobilize the Cuban society to support and achieve an unprecedented level of [sugar] production." These are reprints of the originals. Bruce Nauman's X-Rated and provocative five meter long neon sculpture is back in all it fascinating debauchery, great colors and continuous action. They must be on Viagra.

In the ground floor galleries, in the east wing, you will find an eclectic mix of work. There is a gallery with Alexander Calder's (USA, 1898-1976) mobiles. He had a whimsical approach to everything he created. He was first befriended by Willem Sandberg when they met in Paris in 1937. Sharing the space is another creator of whimsical sculptures or objects---hard to classify---Jean Tiguely (Swiss, 1925-1991). He made "kinetic machines" that he refered to as "anti-machines." On view is his "automated writing machine" sitting atop a rectangular box "decorated" with "graffiti" which consist of signatures, signs and initials.

"Bewogen Beweging" was an unusual initiative organized in 1961 by Daniel Spoerri, Willem Sandberg, Pontus Hulten (Swedish museum director) and Jean Tiguely. The exhibit consisted of 222 works by 72 artists and was "a comprehensive survey of art about movement." At the time, the critics said of the show: "Ho-hum." But, 50,000 visitors came over a five week period to view the works. One wrote to Sandberg, "I hope it will please you to hear that an unsuspecting conservative appreciated this show that is stupidly laughed at by so many." On display is more ephemera consisting of correspondences along with photos.

There is much video art to be seen as well. And it spans from early items from the 70s and up to the present. In one room there are several video screens (14 to 20?) lined up and stacked together. Only one video is shown at a time. You will need two hours to see them all.

The exhibition is scheduled to continue through the summer months. More info at: www.stedelijk.nl
***

Splendour and Glory, Art of the Russian Orthodox Church

Hermitage-Amsterdam (Amstel 51):

Ho-hum was my first thought when I received the first press announcement concerning the current show at the Hermitage-Amsterdam. Religious art? Boring. Especially if you had been raised in the Catholic Church and inundated with religious icons, of many forms, from the time you were six years old and starting school---the school day began with Mass---and looking at the same religious objects and scenes more than 4,000 times over 12 years until graduation. I have been to Italy and did the Vatican and Florence. I admire Da Vinci and Michelangelo. But, hey, I have seen it all...Or so I had thought.

The director of the Hermitage-St. Pertersburg said that this show had three themes: 1. Art that is inspired by religion; 2. The discovery of this religious art first noted in the 19th century by western curators artists and collectors; and 3. The story of the Russian Orthodox Church itself and its relationship with the country's rulers. And you get it all from the 6th century to the 20th. And an evolution of iconic art from the 12th to 20th century. A thousand years of outstanding Russian art; 350 religious artifacts.

You start in the main gallery with the theme of the Orthodox feast of "Pascha" (Easter) as the high point; the czars and their "private churches," the saints; religious heirlooms from the 15th to 17th century when Moscow was the center of religion and art. On entering the main gallery there are eight 14th century frescoes in various states of preservation. You will be amazed that the Hermitage would allow them to travel. They look that fragile. Then there is the "The Miracle of St. George and the Dragon" a work from the late 17th century. Kandinsky, over a hundred years later, would use the same pose to do his own rendering of St. George. The large icon paintings are in remarkable condition. Very well preserved. And it will become apparent that well into the 17th century the style was naïve. And the liner notes are exceptional in their detail. The focal point of one large painting is surrounded by 20 individual boxes and each with its own painted scene. A schematic diagram numbers each and describes it like: #5, Torture on the wheel."

A five meter high gold framed partition shows 11 icons from the Church of the Assumption in Paromenya and dates from 1613. Again, liner notes describe each section. A large glass case exhibits elaborate gold and silver chalices, incense burners and clerical robes. An even more amazing is a hug silk tapestry-like painting measuring about five meters by four plus meters. It is from 1695 and illustrates over 100 individuals. On the left side are the saints and on the right side both saints and earthly people. Unfortunately, it is hung in a location where you can't get any distance and it is too high from the floor. With that said, there is another view and that is from the balcony of the upper gallery. However, from that perspective the lower quarter is not visible and the light is poor. Opposite is "Alexander 1st's traveling (campaign) iconostasis" which went with the tsar throughout the 1812 War and foreign campaigns in 1813-1814. It is in six panels. The liner notes describe each.

The side galleries, along the main one, shows smaller pieces. There are wooded and painted chalices; small icons and an incredible wood and silver "book." The four panels of wood are framed and hinged with silver moldings. Each section contains about 70 miniature carvings of saints and religious scenes. Wait until you see the "Saints' Calendar." It consist of 12 A5 paintings on enamel and each divided into the number of days in the specific month and each day illustrated with one to several saints. An interactive video screen allows you to select individual months which are then magnified. Touch a "day" and you get a description in either Dutch or English. Cool! Opposite this is an elaborate icon with nearly 1,000 miniature paintings of saints and with labeling.

What would the "Pascha" be without Easter eggs? Don't expect the elaborate gold and jeweled Faberge examples, but you won't be disappointed. These are fashioned from glass and ceramic and decorated with paintings of saints and sometimes gilded with gold. A nice touch is that they have been collected into an Easter basket.

In the upper galleries you will see coins and a commemorative stone with Greek inscription which is dated "6021." It is from the 6th century and the dating refers to the belief that that was the number of years since the creation of the world. There are 35 symbols. One gallery offers a very interesting and revealing video history of religion in Russia and the USSR from 1900 to 2020. It chronicles the twist and turns that affected the Russian Orthodox Church. I can only say I learned a lot and it wasn't the show I expected.

Free English tours on Sunday at 14:00.

The Catalog: "Splendour and Glory: Art of the Russian Orthodox Church." Authors: S. Tomsinsky, I. Barinova, M. Yevtushenko, O. Maltseva and S. Nilov.

A catalog for an exhibition of art can't get much better than this. And even though it is bound as a paperback it is lavishly done. As I paged through, I read again the captions on individual pieces I had seen and admired. But as I did so, several pieces got my attention that I had not given much time to or had forgotten or just overlooked. And regrettably so. So many, in fact, that I wondered if everything in the catalog is on show. Doesn't matter, but, I guess, I'll have to go back. Also, like all good catalogs, it sells you on the idea of returning.

The catalog---and the show---goes beyond a style in a period of history in art. It is a history of a significant period of nationalistic development. A history of religious development, its suppression and its rebirth as a focal point in society.

Then there is the reproduction detail. A good example are the Easter Eggs on display. The catalog not only pictures them as you see them in the exhibit, but alongside that photo is another which labels each egg with a number so you can identify it and read the caption notes on the lower page. Another very good example is the full page photo of "The Resurrection and the Descent into Hell, with Feast-Days and Passions of Christ, Annual Mineia and Miraculous Icons of the Mother of God." Phew. Some title, but wait until you see the work. One another page is a description---again with schematic numbering---of this complex multi-figure composition. The avant garde term conceptual redundancy is very accurate terminology to describe its style.

If you don't take home the catalog, you missed half the show. Until 16th September.

ISBN: 978.90.78653.25.7, (English); 978.90.78653.24.0 (Dutch). 248 pages and 350 illustrations. Price: 29.95 euro.

Footnote: The Hermitage always serves the press lunch. Much appreciated since the offerings are always, in someway, special. And since the opening of the main space, they have been exceptional. Part of the reason is that the lunch, indirectly, promotes the restaurant which is at the entrance to the museum, the Neva, named after the river that St. Petersburg is built on. Generally, I wouldn't even mention this courtesy, but it was so exceptional that I feel it must be applauded.

It was inspired by two things: the Russian table and the season. The chef of the Neva creates new dishes to correspond to each new exhibition based on these two criteria. He is very secretive as to what it will be and introduces it on the official opening day of the show. Perhaps this is a sneak preview.

The main course was a salmon loaf. The fish was moist and flavorable and the pastry crust crispy. There was a chaffing dish filled with creamed mushrooms. I asked if it was meant for the salmon and was told, "It's up to you." I covered half the loaf with the mushrooms. Roast potatoes in a very pleasing sauce plus shredded and seasoned cabbage which was rich and very tasty. There was also Russian egg salad served with two types of Russian bread. A bowl of tartar sauce was an added condiment; I covered the other half of the salmon loaf with it. Of course, the final evaluation must wait for the tasting. There was not one false note to any of the dishes. Each nicely seasoned, perfectly cooked and the ingredients obviously top quality.

The Neva is open from 10 in the morning to one in the morning, long after the museum has been closed. Take in the exhibition, relax with a drink at the long bar and cap it all with dinner. Not a bad way to spend the day.

WHAT YOU MISSED:

"Sukebeningen" or "Scheveningen." (Some confusion here. The invite used the latter title, but the program listed the former.)

STEIM (Utrechtdwarsstraat 134) is an avant garde post grad school for new music and sounds. And you get even more. Years ago, there was a monthly program, presented on Thursday, that 3D never missed. It has been nearly ten years since it became history. Pity. But the magic goes on. Through the month there are various programs. Several are offered for FREE and the others, generally, never cost more than 5 euro. And you won't believe what you get for the money. Last Sunday was a perfect example.

The invitation described it thus: "Seven Japanese artist work on a multi-sensory performance program. The Scheveningen Project....creates multidimensional works of art based on characteristically Japanese eroticism. We explore the cultural differences in the conception of eroticism from the many different angles such as music, electronics, dance, fine arts and olfactory art." I had no idea what to expect. Was there to be an evening of Japanese pornography? Naked ladies...and, maybe, even a few naked men? And also mentioned was "music, dance and a performance." You had to make reservations and it was apparent, by the fact that there were but two or three empty seats, that many people were probably not as ignorant as to what to expect as I was.

The opening piece, called "Moon," set the tone for the evening in a very minimal way. We were requested to shut off our cell phones. We were told that the room would go to total darkness. What followed was a truly intimate sound experience. It reached your senses on different levels and in various ways. Because the room was dark, all your attention was on the sounds. You could get a feel of what it must be like for a blind person. You have read that those who are sightless have an enhanced perception of sound. And it is true. The sounds---as opposed to being music---were atonal cords which you approach on that other level of hearing them in the intimacy of total darkness. The high points had the resonance of the sounds of a thunder storm and sometimes even the abruptness. I love thunder storms---and especially the lightning---it is one off the few things I miss about America...But, I digress.

At one point, the music faded in and out while a woman breathed like she was in the act of making love. We had been sitting in the dark for perhaps ten minutes when, suddenly, I felt a hand against each side of my skull which then followed its outline down to my neck. It was so gentle that the sudden shock of being unexpectedly touched was no more than a start which quickly dissipated and my body relaxed to the pleasant and intimate sensation. The person had to have been wearing night goggles (I later talked to someone who professed knowledge, of the event, that no night goggles were used). But the show was just beginning.

There was a huge screen at the front of the room. It came alive with dimmed light and a woman appeared behind it. She began a choreographed strip. Erotic to be sure, but certainly not pornographic in any sense. There were nuances to the act in that the light intensity changed and the different brightnesses and contrast added to the figurative abstraction of the act. Cool!.

There was an intermission so that the room's seating configuration could be changed. The second performance was much more complex, intense, expressive and mind blowing. Titled, "48 Kama Sutra," is was a breathtaking performance both visually and musically. The dancer, Chiaki Horita, catalogued the 48 positions of the Kama Sutra, alone, and in a continuous flow. The music was supplied by two musicians; one playing about ten "instruments" like a snare drum, a block of wood, three bells, et al with two wooden mallets. The other musician played a string instrument with about 15 strings. The program notes explained that the sounds were based on the actual sounds heard in the yukaku (Japanese red light district).

But back to the dancer. The physical demand on both her body and her endurance made you wonder how it was possible. And the imagery...Was it pornographic? Again, no, but it was erotic and in both an artistic and non sexual way. There was no easy nudity to tantalize nor overt sexual-like projection to titillate. Just the grace of the body in motion. I had but one criticism. The lighting was such that the audience was visible. It would have been even more dramatic had spots lights been trained on the musicians and another following the dancer around the floor.

The final act, "The Tattooer," was, once again, minimal in music and expression. But don't get me wrong, the dancing was impressive and energetic. This time, the lighting was right on.

Nearly forgot. There was another sense level to be experienced. Maki Ueda (Japan/Netherlands) is an 'olfactory artist." She uses smell as a medium. Scents were interspersed throughout the room during the performance. Fantastic!

Chiaki Horito (Japan/Netherlands) is both a dancer and choreographer. Ryoko Imai, (Japan/Netherlands), percussion; Noriko Koide (Japan/Netherlands) is a music composer; Mini Koto (Japan/Netherlands) is a pianist; Yuki Hatazawa (Japan/Netherlands) is a graphic artist; and Yota Morimoto ((Japan/UK) is a composer exploring unconventional approaches to generating and transmitting sound. All are Japanese, but all are now students in the Netherlands or the UK.

...And the entrance fee was five euro. It could be 1950 all over again. It doesn't get any better!
***

Jimmy Kets is showing at De Brakke Grond (Nes 45) in an exhibition titled, "Brightside/Shot in Flanders." He does color photography and with humor. His scenes could not be more ordinary, but it is the way he captures the imagery that makes you take notice. He uses, essentially, a technique that I have coined the phrase "decomposition-composition" to describe it. As an example, the camera focuses on a chair with a package of Marlboro's laying on the seat. To the upper right is a woman in a red dress with a deep cleavage but her head is cropped out. The colors are bright and the lighting, too, is special though almost invariably he uses only ambient light. Until 17th April.

Restaurant Review:

Often De Brakke Grond passes out hapjse from the Belgium style restaurant which is part of the complex. The invite for the Kets show mentioned a special evening called Diner Pensant. It would consist of seven courses at only 30 euro (28 euro if paid on line prior to the event). It sounded like a good deal to 3D. We were invited to sample "sumptuous Flemish dishes and Belgium beers."

An aperitif was served to the guest as we entered the restaurant as the "first course." The second consisted of a white shredded radish with walnuts, a mustard sauce and a cheese mousse. Fresh on the palate and a nice balance of flavors. The beer was Suvée René Lindemans which is fruity with a pleasant and sweet aftertaste. This was followed by a soup course with an interesting combination of delicate flavors. The main ingredient was a fish, smoked sprot which is a variety of herring. But it was so understated that you didn't expect that there was a fish base. Topped with shredded witloof and sla.

The next course was a multiple experience with a trio of blood sausage examples. Picky eaters generally avoid blood sausage if only because of the name. Pity. It is delicate and subtle in its flavors and the three varieties bare out the complexities of making it. A rhubarb chutney, sweet, was to me more of a compote. But lets not quibble over terminology because it did compliment the sausage. The beer was Palm.

The main entree was simple. Small Dutch shrimp piled high over mashed potatoes with a buttermilk puree and watercress. Tasty and very filling. The beverage was Rodenbach. It is a mild in alcohol, 5.2%, as compared to most Belgium beers, and it has a sweet-sour taste with a fruity ambiance. Most refreshing.

A nice selection of three cheeses: Le Petit Lathy, Le Doré de Lathy (Oboth biological) and a goat cheese. And the beer was Trappistes Rochefort (8%) a fitting finale to a very interesting and untraditonal meal in any language.
***

Hey, folks, that's all! I had meant to include reviews of recent gallery shows, but time has run out. It is 16:55 and the free Internet connection I make use of pulls its plug at 17:00. Now I must go to another location where I can "cut & paste" and transfer rhese pearls of wisdom to the blogspot. It is not possible to do so at this location. Life is hard!

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

Gould 3D List: Week #14

2011-02-05T14:39:00.000+01:00

Gould's 3D List: Week #14

Sorry, this is not a return to the original "3D List." No one has replied offering a work space with Internet connection---free or otherwise. However, I have received complaints from readers and support. The support has been in several forms. I have visited an organization that deals with discrimination problems. The forms have been filled and they have notified the OBA.

Here is an interesting sidelight...Someone suggested I contact the Amsterdam'Ombudsman. They provided me with an address. I went by the first time on a Wednesday. There was a sign on the door that said: "Tuesday, 10-12:00." Okay. My first thought was, "Two hours a week? There will be a long line of people before me." I am more than pleased to report that I was WRONG; only four were in the reception room when I arrived at 10:30. It is nice to know that not many people have complaints towards the city' government.

I filled out a one page form. Two questions were pertinent: What city department are you complaining about? and What is the beef? Easy, OBA and discrimination! I handed the paper to the receptionist. Five minutes later he came over to me and said, "We can't help you. The OBA is no longer a part of the city administration. It has been privatized." There's that term again. He then gave me an address where I could send my complaint to: info@oba.nl. Looking at it, I said to him, "This looks like a conflict of interest situation." He answered, "Yes!"

Here we go again with privatization. The social infrastructure that had made a country, with the highest density of population, in the Western world, into a social homogeneous and egalitarian paradise is slowly disintegrating into a paranoid it's-mine-and-not-yours nightmare. As an 80 year old medical doctor said to me recently, "Goddamn, this isn't my Holland anymore!"
***
That last statement should be followed by something Marshall McLuhan observed about a crowded society: "When people get close together, they get more and more savage, impatient with each other." Up until now, the Netherlands, has avoided the expected....He also said, "Art is anything you can get away with!" Both quotations are from a recent book "Marshall McLuhan" by D. Coopland
***
Until I can return to my normal work schedule, the rubric "What Is Happening This Week" will not appear. Ironically, it is this section that requires the most time though there is little original text from me. I must do the research and the composing is tedious not to mention boooooooring to do.

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

What You Missed During January:

BITS & PIECES:

But just so you will be able to recall all the interesting things you had an opportunity to learn from reading Bits & Pieces, here is an item I found in the LA Times. The new estimate on the number of stars, in the universe, has been increased by a factor of three. But, first, to give you an appreciation as to how many stars there were thought to be I will relate this description of the estimate. I once read an article that I later remembered saying that there were more stars than grains of sand on all the beaches of the world. Then, I saw a BBC TV documentary where the moderator said that there were 1,000,000 stars for every grain of sand. The new estimate is that there are 300 sextillion (that's 100 billion squared, multiplied by 30). It looks something like this:310,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, if I got it right. Of course, with that many stars, how many planets must there be? And with so many planets there must be a lotta living goin' on in this vast universe we call home.
***
...And Napoleon said c. 1800: "When China awakes, it will shake the world!" And 200 years later the quake is measuring a "9" on the Richter Scale.
***
Comic strip wisdom...From Non Sequitur, 11th January. 1st Character: "Texting...Facebook...Twitter...Fantasy Leagues...All this so-called social networking is just a soulless waste of time...People use to enjoy being alone in their thoughts...now it seems like that's everyone's biggest fear!" Second Character: "Maybe we should just start an anti-social network." 1st Character: "Other than being an oxymoron, that's brilliant!" Amen.
***
The newest chocolate on the market is Nacional and comes from South America. For details check: www.moonstruckchocolate.copm. It sells for $11 for 100 grs.
***
"If your pictures aren't good enough your not close enough." Famous last words of Robert Capa (1913-1954), the photo-journalist, who was killed, in action, by a sniper, in Viet Nam.
***
The latest word from Amsterdam's street poet, Laser 3.14 is: "Why the hell are you reading this?" @ Kerkstraat 367. 3D's reply, "Why the hell did you write it?" Maybe it's the weather.
***
...And speaking of the weather...Sure, it has been cold for the last week or so, but Chicago has nearly 50 cms., of snow---at this writing---and it is still falling (2nd Feb). 3D was there in 1967 when 60 cms., fell in 24 hours. My then wife was expecting a baby any day. The expected event took place five days later. I did get her to the hospital and the doctor got there on skis. Like I say, I like Dutch weather!

WHAT YOU MISSED DURING THE LAST MONTH:

At "VERVERS modern and contemporary art gallery" (Hazenstraat 54) is the work of the Polish artist Dominik Borkowski. Think of combining the styles of Keith Haring and A. Penck. Then limit yourself to working in b/w and shades of gray. The result is both conceptual and cartoonish. Sometimes funny, sometimes grotesque, or a touch erotic or just an abstraction. (13x15 cms., oil @ 200 euro; 130x120 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,000 euro).) Six red dots at opening. Until 19th February. www.verversgallery.blogspot.com
***
Here is something different. Tessa Verder, showing at "g_i_s_t galerie" (Bloemgracht 82), does landscapes that mix reality with the make believe. That is, elements of the composition is indeed a photo, but some subject matter has been added with a paint brush then it is all photographed again. Trees tend to be the focal point and, generally, with a background of mountains. (45x77 cms., Ed. 15 photograph @ 1,650 euro; 120x132 cms., Ed. 3 @ 7,500 euro.)

Showing with her is Viktor Baltus who paints conceptual representational abstraction with subdued color. Simple and appealing. (16x14.5 cms., oil on panel @ 450 euro; 41x38 cms., object and oil ! 1,850 euro.) Until 12th February. www.gistgalerie.nl
***
Black and white is really in! Eva Rader, at Galerie Gabriel Rolt, works only in b/w for the most part. Well, sometimes there is a touch of color but more often than not it is nearly subliminal. The style is best described as expressionistic cartoons. Crude is the imagery, but at the same time engrossing. (40x30 cms., @ 1,950 euro; 150x200 cms., @ 8,500 euro.) Until 12th February. www.gabrielrolt.com
***
Well, graphic/video technology is expanding so fast that it seems like 3D is seeing something completely new every week. Jacco Oliver, at RON MANDOS (Prinsengracht 282), is a painter who animates his canvases and does it with 3D. This technique is a new style or one that I have not seen before. One short piece of just over a minute long is so engrossing that you find it difficult to walk away. His painting style ranges from figurative expressionism to pure expressionism. "Revolution," a 24 minute video loop, is an epic journey through the universe without a boring moment. Give this show a WOW!. (Animation on DVD, Ed. 5, 2:22 minutes @ 13,500 euro; Animation on DVD, Ed. 5, 24 minutes long @ 35,000 euro.) Until 12th February. www.ronmandos.nl
***
Ron Galella, the godfather of American' paparazzis, is back at Galerie W. van Leeuwen (Hazenstraat 27), with a show titled "jackie: my obsession." Indeed, and it got him into trouble with the legal authorities when Jackie accused his of stalking her. He was ordered by the court to never approach her closer than 100 meters; maybe it was even a greater distance. This exhibition revisits those days when she still commanded media attention both as an assassinated president's widow and as a rich man's concubine. We see John-John and Caroline as teenagers; and Ari Onasis, the shipping mogul, is in several photos. There is even a photo of Jackie smoking at a restaurant. The only such photo 3D has seen with her doing so. No price list available. Until 12th February. www.woutervanleeuwen.com
***
Are these portrait photographs? Galerie Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570) is showing the work of Carli Hermes in "Candy Shop." And indeed some of the pictures have an array of colors that look like a display of penny candy. Again, portraits? They are all ladies but the range in style is from representational/figurative to conceptual figurative with pleasing results. Some have a surrealistic feel. Nice! There is also a very nice catalog available and priced at only 10 euro. (100x134 cms., Ed. 7 @ 6,500 euro.) www.galerierademakers.nl
*** ]
Elza Jo, with "The Age," is what's at Cokkie Snoei (Hazenstraat 11)exhibiting photography? Objects? Mixed-Media? Collages? well, ALL those techniques...and then some. The work borders on kitsch, but don't let that deter your appreciation of her imaginative imagery and humor. Most of the subjects are female, but there is a pussy cat or two. A wall of a collage/installation of photographs, embellished with paint and/or colored penny candy, is eye catching. (42x32 cms., mixed-media, Ed. 5 @ 1,100 euro; 53x75 cms., Ed. 5 @ 2,850 euro; collage/installation, 224 pieces @ 5,000 euro.) Until 13th February. www.cokkiesnoei.com
***
TORCH is exhibiting the photos of Wouter Deruytter under the title: "Billboards, NY." And that is what you see. They are b/w photos of the New York' urban scene and focus on the super large coverings of buildings under renovation. There is a fashion theme in the sense that most of these billboards feature threads by Calvin Klein Jeans, Liz Claiborne, H&M, etc. (40x50 cms., Ed 12 @ 1,200 euro; 87x87 cms., Ed. 6 @ 3,900 euro; 150x150 cms., Ed 3 @ 10,900 euro.) Until 19th February. www.torchgallery.com
***
At "Galerie bart" (Bloemgracht 2) are photos of people---very Dutch people---that are as vibrant as a portrait painted in oil. In fact, at first look, that's what you think you are looking at. Louise te Poele portraits are for the most part unposed and spontaneous and all against a jarring black background. There is also a book available titled "Framers" @ 49.50; a special signed edition (50) with an original print---30x48 cms---@ 395 euro. (50x35 cms, print on aluminum, Ed. 10 @ 350 euro; 100x150 cms., Ed 10 @ 1,750 euro.) Until 12th February. www.galeriebart.nl.
***
There is a group show of 11+ artists at Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Lauiergracht 96). The theme appears to be figurative. But what makes it interesting is that all styles imaginable from representational to expressionistic to Surreal are hanging. There is an exception, a series of kitsch objects which are very colorful and full of humor. Nine red dots at opening. Until __?__. www.galerieserieuzezaken.com
***
Pascale-Sophie Kaparis hangs work all in red at Maison Descartes (Vijzelsgracht 2a). She either draws or paints in red ink or oil and always against a white background. The forms resemble---and are meant to resemble---the body's internal organs. There are several shades of red giving each "organ" the illusion of depth making them dimensional. A couple are titled "Self Portrait," but, again, of "her" internal organs and one has a clearly defined vagina. (65x50 cms., Drawing, ink + tipp-ex; 208x350 cms., oil. No price list.) Until 25th January. www.maisondescartes.com
***
At the Lijnbaansgracht Group (Lijnbaansgracht 314-318) both VOUS ETES ICI and LUMEN TRAVO is hanging what could be described as the "Best of 2010." The only thing missing is the wall painting that was at V.E.I. It is history! Damn!

At Akinci is Dafnl Barbageorgopoulou who is a constructionist sculptor working with wood, fabric, photography and playing cards. Playing cards? Well, yeah, sorta. They are oversize (A4) and made from plastic and scattered about the floor. Her piece de resistance is an installation made from several sections of veneer wood; each has been cut into geometric abstract shapes and forms. It is about eight meters long and three meters wide. At one end, is a large tapestry measuring 455 cms., high and 300 cms., wide. It looks like it should be part of the wood piece, but, according to the price list, it isn't. Together, they would be truly monumental. (Tapestry @ 7,000 euro; wood floor piece @ 16,000 euro.)

Anne Wenzel has a large ceramic walling hanging and floor piece that resembles a funeral wreathe that has wilted with time. (75x34x114 cms., ceramic and metal @ 16,000 euro). Until 19th February. www.akinci.nl
***
Nicole Ladrak does mixed media differently...Very differently! She is showing at Art A Casa (Kerkstraat 411) with paintings plus added fabric, collage and, more often than not, it is all covered with a fine mesh net. The imagery ranges from female portraits to still lives. The colors are vibrant. (12x12 cms., @ 75 euro; 25x25 cms., oil @ 150 euro; 90x90 cms., oil @ 950 euro.) Until 16th February. www.artacasa.nl
***
At Galerie Witteveen (Keizersgtracht 538) is the work of Krin Rinsema. She does "portraits," sorta. Well, how else can you describe a full body female staring out from the canvas surface, but has NO face? And, to make it all the more mysterious, there are several canvases where we see a female from the rear. And it is all in b/w with a non-decrepit background. She does do young girls in color, but even her color work looks like b/w. Huh? You gotta see it! Also on view are a series of b/w etchings and, again, all with a female subject. Nice work! (15x10 cms., ets. Ed. 7 @ 297.50 euro; 30x20 cms., oil @ 750 euro; 145x145 cms., oil @ 3,280 euro.)

At the back of the gallery is a large metal sculpture piece with silver plate. It is a depiction of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However they appear as skeletons. A monkey, a few bird-like dinosaurs are also present along with a two meter long snake making its way up the tree trunk. It could also be described as a figurative linear abstraction. John Breed is the artist. Good piece! (350x200x120 cms., metal/silver plate @ 50,000 euro).
***
Tineke Porck shows at "Galerie nine" (Keizersgracht 552) with minimalistic paintings bordering on the monochromatic. She works in white, gray and black. Sometimes all are included in one composition. She also "structures" the paint with some pieces looking like the freshly plowed farrows of a farmer's field. A series of eight dip-tychs are diminutive with each section measuring 10x10 cms. (10x20 cms., dip-tych, oil and mixed media on wood @ 450 euro; 120x100 oil on canvas @ 2,700 euro.) Until 12th February. www.gallerynine.nl
***
Galerie LWW (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 5c) shows several sides to Marliek Schoen. She does drawings and paintings of male and female nudes in black and white and the style reflects the academic school of the 19th century. She also does sculpture work and with various materials. The head carved from oak is an exceptional piece. Other sculpture pieces are fired clay with a black gloss surface. (55x40 cms., charcoal + Conte @ 425 euro; 100x90 cms., oil & acrylic @ 1,150 euro; 35x40x25 cms., fired clay head @ 1,495 euro; 26x20x20 cms., Oak head @ 1,495 euro.) Until 19th February. www.galerielww.nl
***
A New Zealand new jewelry maker is at Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12) with an updated version of 19th century cameo brooches. Not only has she updated the concept, but also the type of material used to achieve it. She is using plastic sheets of acrylic and creates variations in the material intrinsic structure. She does something else novel as well. Several pieces incorporate her initials. Not only does this give each work a "brand" identity, but the typography becomes part of the design itself. Cool! So, what you get is a "traditional" form of jewelry with a contemporary twist. Good work! (Earrings @ 240 euro; Brooch @ 850 euro; Necklace @ 2,400 euro.) Until 26th February. www.galerierobkoudijs.nl
***
"The air was magic when we played" is the title for Sven Kroner's exhibition at Galerie Fons Welter (Bloemstraat 140). You will see panoramic landscapes reflecting the best elements of 17th to 19th century style landscape paintings. His use of light is inspired. It is sometimes dramatic like a lightning bolt and at other times very subtle. This is work that will appeal to both the traditionalist and those into the avant garde approach to landscape painting. (170x250 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 21,000 euro.)

In the Playstation section of the gallery is the work of Theun Govers who takes multiplex wood boards and carves its surface into a representational scene---rooms---but are in reality linear abstractions. Part of their attraction is that Govers maintains the integrity of the actual wood's brown tones in various shades and hues and only, sometimes, with a subtle nuance of color. (122x64 cms., acrylic and transparent polish on birch multiplex @ 1,400 euro; acrylic and transparent polish on poplar multiplex @ 2,400 euro.) Until 19th February. www.fonswelter.nl
***
Galerie 23 (KNSM-laan 307) is presenting the first showing outside of Africa of the work of Fally Sene Sow (Senegal). The technique is an unusual mix of Senegal traditional and mixed media. Sow adds to all this an endearing naive quality in his complex compositions of a market place in Dakar. In each case, it is the view from his atelier's window so we are looking down on the scene. He paints, adds photos and other material that ranges from cardboard with its ribs showing to package foil and material that looks like freshly cut grass. Colorful to be sure, but again the work's strenght is in its composition: Busy and complex. (47x36 cms., mixed media @ 1,050 euro; 47x36 cms., mixed media @ 1,250 euro.) Until 24th February. www.galerie23.nl
***

Simon Raab, A Special Review:

Recently, I reviewed an exhibition for an European/North American artist. This is what I had to say: "At Art Affairs is Simon Raab with something completely different. In fact, in a sense, he has introduced a new technique. First he finds an old gilded frame; second, he takes a large sheet of stainless steel and shapes it with a result that looks like you are viewing a mountain terrain from 10,000 meters high. He then shapes the edges of the stainless steel sheet around the edges of the frame. Finally, he paints on the entire surface. The painting style is expressionistic and while there is a kitschy flavor it has a pleasing visual effect. Nor is there any redundancy as you go from work to work. Each piece is unique. And because of the nature of the steel, there is a glow to the colors. Nice!"

Short and to the point.

It is not often that I am motivated to go back and see an exhibition a second time, but it happens. I found myself in the neighborhood, of the gallery, and decided to take advantage of the situation. Once there, I browsed through a catalog titled "PARLEAU," published by Galerie Peter Zimmermann (ISBN: 978-3-9808352-8-2) illustrating his work from 2006 to the present. I also took time to read other viewers observations. I'm glad I did. Now I have an even greater appreciation for both the work and the artist.

Simon Raab didn't begin his professional life as an artist. In fact, he began that phase of his "creative" evolution in 2006, at the age of 54. That's generally a point when an artist has either made it or realizes they never will. His first "creative life" began after completing a doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1981. He has been assigned 70 patents which includes work "for the creation of digital 3D models and laser devices." Think perspective and light. The latter could be described as the "protagonist" for the imagery and, the former, the "subject" matter. And he expresses these elements in a variety of ways: 1. geometric abstraction; 2. expressionism; and 3. figurative expressionism. Then, to make it all the more interesting, he sculptures the working surface; and all together it makes for a tasty artistic stew.

The resulting work is somewhere in-between being painting and sculpture. He has coined the term "parleau" to describe it: "Amalgamating the French word "par" (through) and "l'eau" (the water), the term suggests the seductive quality of light passing through liquid." But let us go back to the technique that he has developed which will shed light---if you wish---on the validity of the word parleau.

The steel or aluminium sheets are a polychromatic bas relief causing the colors---which are layered with a glazed acrylic coating between them---to change continuously as your eyes move across the surface. The light is reflected in infinite directions because "he bends and dents, wrinkles, crinkles and variously distresses the painted metal support;" or as another person described the process, "He folds and forms, bends and dents, presses and crimps - now wholly the sculptor - the coloured surface into a richly faceted relief." And in the same way these lyrical descriptions ring melodiously in our ears; so do the resulting visual imagery excite and tantalize our eyes.

So far I have discussed his scientific background as it has influenced his technique and the resulting visual aspects because of that technique. But, that says little about the imagery which is more complex. More complex because his influences are historical, literary, musical, philosophical and, well, a lexicon of terms is required for your full appreciation to understand where he is coming from. Add to that Raab's personal history---such as the fact that his parental grandparents both died in Auschwitz; and that his "second father," an uncle, was a renown sculptor---and you have more ingredients into the artistic stew that has shaped both the man and the artist.

The imagery that has resulted includes "Oblique Mondrian in 3D - Box of acreage" (2007) which---like the title indicates---emulates Mondrian in three dimensions. I especially like when he creates conceptual expressionistic portraits like "Regen Projectus - Eyes and lips of a dealer," and "Bob Dylan - Bob Zimmerman." Then there are the more straight forward portraits like the three different modes that he uses to portray Elizabeth II, he says, "I respect her as a woman and mother, and I respect her devout dedication to the role she was handed in 1952...She was a beautiful new Queen." The three modes begin with that new and beautiful Queen; continues to the second phase, "Royal Skullduggery," depicting her as a skull; and ends with "The Sun does set" showing an aged woman with sad eyes.

There is truly something for everyone in his imagery. Personally, I favor the expressionistic work, though "Arthur Miller" (a homage to Andy Warhol), Vonnegut, Cohen and Baudelaire could hang on my wall as well.

Perhaps it is both proper and informative to conclude this piece in Raab's own words: "I am obsessed by confusion with reality. I no longer see anything or any situation with any confidence. I cannot help but wonder if what I see is real, who is who and what is what. It is not revisionist history; it is revisionist present. In my art, I am expressing my humility...I continue to see reality expressed either in mathematical or philosophical terms. Chaos surrounds us and confusion is predictable...I am attracted to neither the abstract nor the figurative, but rather to the transition and confusion between the two. I find comfort in the figurative form and I am compelled to abstract it by deforming the surface."

Amen! I say to that.
***

...And there you have it! 3D has no other comments to make...Still waiting to hear from the organization trying to get me back into
the OBA...Later...

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2011

Gould's 3D List: Week #13

2010-11-27T14:52:00.001+01:00

WEEK #13

(Please, note: This is the third part of a three part series. To read from the start, click on to "November" and scroll down to "List #11" and "List #12" When will the original "3D list" return? When I find a place to do it.)

Again, apologizes that the 3D List isn't back yet to its old form. There has been no response for my request for a work space with Internet connection (e-mail: danielrgould@hotmail.com); nor any response from the Openbare Bibliotheek inviting me back.

This week, I complete my series, of three essays, concerned with discrimination and tolerance in the Netherlands. Thank you for your suggestions and response to the two previous ones.
***

Dutch Tolerance Is On the Line: Part III

After meeting a Dutch person, for the first time, and perhaps five minutes into the conversation---during which time I have expounded on my appreciation for the country---I am asked "What do you like the most about the Netherlands?" My answer has become a cliche: The weather! Needless to say, this initiates an expression of shock bordering on horror: "Is this man crazy?" I go on to say that I had lived in Chicago for six years and I do love that city---even more than New York, where I also had lived. But, as far as ChiTown is concerned, there are four things that I hate: January, February, July and August. Too god damn cold or too god damn hot. Holland has four seasons and few extremes. Some summers, when the temperature sky-rockets to the low 30s, and the Dutch begin to complain that "it is too hot," I tell them that it is a bearable, if not comfortable, summer day in the States.

Then I get serious. I explain that I appreciate the tolerance of the Dutch. My beef against my own country is the bigotry. Of course, I do understand that this country's tolerance has more to do with commerce than a moral conviction, but there is that too. The Dutch have been traveling the world for 500 years. They did it for commercial reasons. They brought back the commodities available in other parts of the world to sell to Europe. And unlike the Spanish and the Portuguese who "exported," to their colonies, the Jesuits and the English that brought to theirs the Anglican Church missionaries, the Dutch didn't try to impose themselves on other societies. That's why the Japanese allowed them to stay back in the 17th century after expelling other Europeans.

This policy has served the country well. It is a rich country because of the fact that the Dutch never relinquish their connections with trading partners. Governments come and go, and the Dutch always adjust. They have extended this tolerance to others in another way. They welcomed both the Portuguese Jews and the French Huguenots---who could pay their way---when they fled persecution in their native lands. The country is still a home to international publishing---which brought me here in the first place---because it has been in the business since the discovery of the printing press with movable type; and the fact that they published the unpublishable like Galileo when the Roman Catholic Church excommunicated him and band publication of his scientific tomes.

I have studied this country as a university trained geopolitician. I majored in three subjects: Political Science, Geography and Communication Arts. A prerequisite in the study of Poli Sci was two courses in political theory. Well, the subject matter is rather boring, the two courses were both at 13:00---just after lunch---the classroom was overheated with steam heat and the professor spoke in a monotone. I was generally asleep five minutes into the lecture. When it came time for the final exam there was a dearth of notes. But I guess something got through. Both finals were essay exams. One question, I remember, was the one that got me a B+ (8 on the Dutch system). It asked: "What precludes a country's revolution, do the citizens foment it by talking about conditions or do the journalist writing about the conditions alert the people to the issues? Hey, is this akin to asking what came first, the chicken or the egg? Almost. My answer was that the journalists/writers were members of the society; and, being so, they reported on what they were hearing and their articles and books alerted other members of the population to the like feelings of the society.

If you have read the previous segment, of this three part discourse, you are aware that I neither, speak, understand nor read Dutch. Often I am asked if I don't regret that I cannot take a more active part in the Dutch society because of it? My answer is a resounding: YES!!! I do not read Dutch writers unless they are in English translation which limits me to the likes of Louis Paul Boom, Cees Nooteboom, Harry Mulisch, et al. Unfortunately, the list isn't very long. The newspapers and magazines are also inaccessible. I know nothing to very little of the celebrities. I have not owned a TV set since December 1974 so I don't see them on the tube. Often, at an opening, someone will point to someone saying that's so-and-so. "He/she is on TV." Means nothing to me. But if you want to discuss Dutch art, from the Flemish period to the avant garde or Dutch history, you will be flabbergasted at my knowledge. In both art and history, the Dutch have been at the forefront for, well, the last 500 years. My way of compensating myself, personally, for my disability, is to say I know of current affairs and other societal factors from my one-on-one discourse with the Dutch. I do not hang out in the American or English speaking community. My friends and acquaintances are Dutch. And, for the most part, talented and/or well educated. Since I am a naturally curious person about everything, I asked a lot of questions. I get a variety of answers to any one question. I assimilate and analyze it.

Because of these various factors---and don't forget that final exam question of what came first---something began to get my attention during the middle to late 90s. When I first arrived, in the early 70s---and still through the 80s---when I would ask for something at the green grocery or bakery, in Dutch, they immediately answered in English. I use to joke that it made my efforts at learning the language all the more difficult because I never heard it.

Piet was my bike repairman from the time I moved into the Old West (1986) until about two or three years ago. Piet is a simple man. He only fixes bikes. He doesn't sell new nor occasion ones. His work space is a mess. But I never found anyone cheaper. Add to this, that I could come in with a minor problem and he would fix it there and then, kept me coming back even after I left the neighborhood. But, at some point, during the 90s, he began to ask why I didn't speak Dutch. I tried to explain. During the next ten years he became more insistent of talking to me only in Dutch. The last time I visited his shop, for a simple problem---even though I was now living in the east of Amsterdam---he said, in Dutch, come back tomorrow. The next day, I returned and, once again, he said he was too busy and to come back another time. All in Dutch. I got the message and have not been returned.

But Piet, as I have noted, is a simple person with a limited education. I cannot expect him to understand my handicap. Peter, on the other hand, had a university education. I had known him for about ten years. He had been a guest, with his then girlfriend, and sat at my dinner table. Then, one night, at a gallery opening, and in the middle of our conversation, he said, "Why are we still talking in English? Why haven't you learned Dutch?" Well, by this time I had read the article that described "dyslexic of sound" and the impossibility for people afflicted by it to learn another language. I began to relate to Peter what the article had said. He turned from me and walking away said, "You don't want to learn...Your just lazy!" Lazy, I'm not...and I have given it my best to learn. We never talked again nor will we. He's now dead.

In the new century, there has been more confrontations like these two. For those of you who saw the film documentary, "I LOVE ART," where I am the protagonist, you may recall an interview with a gallery holder who said that I had called him an "arrogant asshole." True...And he is. What precipitated the rather rude remark was an incident, at an opening, at his gallery. His space is part of a group of six galleries joined together by interconnecting doors. All the galleries, from the inception of the space, had their openings on the same day and at the same time. Then, this person broke from the practice. I was attending, an opening, on a Thursday night. He had a classical guitar player. I like the guitar no matter the style of the music; so I had stayed longer than I generally would have. I was sitting and sipping my second glass of wine when he walked by and said something to me in Dutch. I apologized to him, saying in my feeble Dutch, "Ik sprecken kliene betje Nederlands" and asked him, in English, to repeat what he had said. Again, he said something in Dutch and walked away. I turned to the person next to me---who was Dutch---and asked, "What did he say?" The person replied, "He said, 'I know you speak and understand Dutch'" Huh? I thought about it for a moment, then asked, "What did he say initially?" "He said, 'You only come here to drink!'" I was perplexed. As I bicycled home, and mulled over the experience; I thought he must have mistaken me for someone else. Ten or so days later, I was in the neighborhood and stopped at his gallery. I went up to him and said, "I think that you have me confused with another person." He replied, "That's possible." I said, "I think so because, you see, I do NOT speak nor understand Dutch!" He said, "I know you DO!" I was exasperated by this and blurted out, "God, you are an arrogant asshole." He knew something about me that I didn't. Remarkable. I turned on my heels and marched from his gallery.

The latest incident, in this on going story, was just a few weeks ago, at another gallery. I have been attending the openings there for about 25 years. I have seen much good work. But for the last several years the gallery holder answers my questions in Dutch and each time I explain that I don't understand Dutch and he switches to English. This recent show was very special---I would give it two WOWs!!---but I had questions. I went up to him and asked the first one. He answered in Dutch. I said, "Please, you know I don't speak Dutch." He said something again in Dutch which included this phrase, "...over twentig yaars..." and since I DO understand numbers I assumed that he was saying that "You have been in the country for over twenty years..." When he had finished, I said, once again, "I have this disability..." He smirked and as he walked away, again, said something in Dutch which I could not follow. Okay. I got the message. The review I wrote was incomplete. The opening after that, I boycotted. I have no intentions of returning.

The last three examples relate to my experience with people that I assume have both a degree of intelligence and an education. But they refuse to consider that my inability to speak Dutch can be anything other than laziness. Worse than that, they don't want to hear about the problem. Several times when I have tried to explain "dyslexic of sound" the person will say: "I never heard of it!" or, even worse, "I don't believe that!" and they walk away.There is NO discussion. I resent this. The very thing that I have always considered to be a major attribute of this society, tolerance, is now disappearing. I am also, now, assuming---in retrospect---that what led the floor librarian to complain, at the Openbare Bibliotheek, back in July (see Part I), to her supervisor, about my needing the key to the disability toilet, was something more than that. The fact that, in May, she began to respond to me only in Dutch leads me to believe that this was what was at the heart of her animosity towards me.

Over the last several months, I have been satirical and sarcastic when I speak out on Pretty Boy Geert and his anti-anti platform. It is not just the anti Islam---I'm certainly no fan of that religion nor any other one for that matter. But, it is the venomous rhetoric against all facets of the "problem" that bothers me. And, let's face facts, folks, he wouldn't be in the new government had not a lot of "simple" people voted for him and maybe even a few "intelligent" ones as well. Chauvinism is alive and well in the Netherlands. This new rightest government, which is against culture---it cost too much money---and even egalitarianism---the hallmark of the society since there has been a sense to its meaning---was elected by a significant percentage of the Dutch population.

Ironically, I am not against the position that the Dutch have taken on immigrants and foreigners---that have chosen to live in the Netherlands---that they MUST learn Dutch. And as I have said, I have made every effort. What I am attacking is the fact that there is always the anomaly---for whatever the reason---and not recognizing that fact or challenging the validity of their problem is prejudicial as well as counter productive.

About 25 years ago, there was a front page article, in the International Herald Tribune, that chronicled the difficulties in the Bijlmer. It described the "new city" as a ghetto and with a police force that was anti-ethnic. I had been living there, at the time, with my three teenage children, for five years. I replied to the newspaper piece with a long letter; and it was published. Perhaps I should reproduce it. But the essence of what I had to say was: The Dutch try very hard to combat racism. A few years later, at a gallery opening, I was talking to the gallery holder, who was Jewish, and she said something about discrimination in Holland. I argued her points and said that while certain segments of the elderly population may cling to negative ethnic stereotypes, the youth were taught to ignore and to overcome the stereotypical smears. She thought about it and then said, "You might be right. My children were talking about a classmate. I couldn't place him though they mentioned several reference points. At the next school' function, my son pointed him out. He was black. They never mentioned that." And it has been reported that the police are now faced with a rising wave of "hate attacks" on Orthodox Jews (easily identified because of their attire) and gays. And we have "respected" and elected politicians delivering another message about those ethnically different or who deviate from the norm because of their sexual orientation. Is this really the way to go? Tolerance has paid the bills for the Dutch for several hundred years. If the system ain't broke, don't fix it!

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould

Gould's 3D list: Week #12

2010-11-18T17:29:00.000+01:00

Dear 3D List' readers;

I appreciate the response to the piece on DISCRIMINATION posted on last week's list. There have been suggestions too. Here are two of the best: Send a short message to Hans van Velzen, the director of Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA). You can address it: dir@oba.nl and a copy, of that same message, can be sent to one or more newspapers.

I would like to thank the two people who offered me an opportunity to use their Internet connection and PC. In each case, they requested that I pay for the Internet connection fee. I considered that a fair offer. However, as I mulled it over, I thought, "Why should I pay for the privledge of working for nothing." It didn't compute.

So, the 3D List remains on hold. I am looking for a work space/atelier (I also make drawings, objects and collages) with an Internet connection. Should you know of one, let me know at: danielrgould@hotmail.com

This week you will read an introduction to an article concerning Dutch TOLERANCE.
***

TOLERANCE on the line in the Netherlands: Part 2

"'S dat ur titty tat?"

"What did you say?"

"Danny don't talk so good. He said, 'Is that your kitty cat?'"

Bonnie, my first love---we were a thing from the age of two until six at which time my parents moved to another city---acted as my interpreter when I spoke to an adult.

My mother would introduce me to people---as I was growing up---by saying, "Until he was four years old, no one could understand him. Once they did---and he had their attention---he's never stopped talking."

My father was fluent in two languages. He often bragged that his father had spoken seven. My father had married outside his ethnic community so when there were family get-together, on his side of the family, the spoken language was Germany or as he described it, "low German" or "bloody German." My mother complained that she was left alone during conversations. But I was curious, especially when everyone one laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks.

At eleven years old, I asked my father to teach me. After a few months, he gave up saying, "Ah, kid, you're too dumb to learn."

I went to a Catholic school and classes began each day with the Mass. I decided it would be cool to be an altar boy and "speak" Latin. The nun, in charge, gave me a two sided card and told me to memorize what was on it. I couldn't.

My mother was encouraging me to go to college even though my father was a machinist in a Detroit factory. She wanted that I achieve the American dream.

My high school education was the same Catholic school I had attended from grade one. The only "foreign language" offered was Latin.

A report card was issued four times a year. The first grading for Latin had me with an "A" (10 on the Dutch system); the second listed a "B;" the third, a "C:" and the last, a "D" (a 3 or 4). I successfully fulfilled the required two years, however, since the final exam, in year two, was on the Gallic Wars; and the questions were in English and we could answer in English. Whew!

At university, there was also a language requirement for graduation. I signed up for German; after all it was in my genes; or so I thought. I flunked it. I also flunked out of the school. I had had another "F" and that was in English. I called, Dr. Montesi, my English professor, to ask him why he had given me a failing grade? "Because, Gould, you deserved it...And you'll thank me one day." I explained that that wasn't going to happen since I had been told I could not register for the next semester. He asked me "Did you flunk anything else?" I replied, "German." He paused and then said, "Go tomorrow and ask for Father Hastings [it was a Jesuit university]. He's the dean of your college. Tell him to call me." I did. It worked. I was back in.

I switched to Spanish. Everyone said it was easy. Wrong. Flunked again. However, I persevered. I would satisfy my language requirement by passing only by the skin of my teeth and by luck. But that's another story. A funny one too. And Fr Hastings played a role in that too though he would never be aware of it.

I made it into graduate school when the same Fr Hastings invited me to join a new graduate program he was setting up: American Studies. It was a three year PhD program. Now I was really concerned about the language requirement. You were required to be proficient in another language. A year into the program, Fr Hastings asked if I had selected a dissertation topic. I replied, "the American Gypsy." It pleased him and he said, "You will probably have to learn Roma, the Gypsy language." I was actually thrilled because there were no formal courses for the language. It would be a one-on-one learning experience.

But it never happened. I had married at the beginning of graduate school and when my then wife became pregnant for the second time it meant getting a job.

Flash forward six or seven years. I was working for a scientific publisher of books and journals. I was offered a promotion to European Sales and Marketing Manager. Of all European countries, Germany accounted for the largest percentage of sales. But for tax reasons, we would warehouse our publications in the Netherlands and I would live in Amsterdam.

Not wanting to be perceived as an "Ugly American" (the title of a revealing book I had read) I insisted that the company pay for an intensive language program, for me, in German. For five hours per day, six days a week and for six five weeks I listened to tapes and worked with an instructor. At completion, I was sitting in the office of my boss when a German speaking co-worker walked in. My boss said, "Say something to Eleanor in German." I turned to her and said, in German, "What time is it?" she replied, "10:30 in the morning." My boss said, "What did you ask her?" I repeated the question in English. He looked at me and said, "We paid $5,000 so you could ask what time it is? A Rolex would have been cheaper." (This was 1972.)

I was thrilled to be coming to Holland. At last, I would be living in a completely different linguistic environment. The first weekend, I was in Amsterdam, I found myself at a disco, off the Leidseplein. I would approached a pretty Dutch lady an ask, in German, "Sie gern tanzen?" A puzzled look would appear on her face and she would reply, "Do you speak English?

I would be here for three years. During the last one, I was living with a Dutch lady who decided to teach me the language. She prepared 3x5 inch index cards with simple verb conjugations and phrases and, in addition, for two hours a day, she would only talk to me in Dutch and not acknowledge any understanding to my English. Nice try, but it didn't take.

I returned to the States. Five years later, I came back to Holland and with three American teenagers. Their mother had sent them to live with me. I entered all of us into Dutch language lessons. I could continue my own personal study of the language for another three or four years: classroom and small group lessons; tapes and even a tutor. Nothing worked.

I came to the realization that I had a problem. It was then that I began to try to define what it was. Hey, my father spoke two languages and my grandfather seven. Then I recalled that my father had mentioned, a few times, that his mother had lived in the States for seventeen years, before she died, and never learned English. Aha, I had her genes. Damn! It was at this time that I recalled the anecdotes that I related at the beginning of this essay. Ironically, people often comment to me that "You have an incredible memory!" Yes, I do! But, for language? I was now telling people it was like there was a transistor missing in my brain.

Sometime during the late 90s, I read an article, in the International Herald Tribune, that described something called "dyslexic of sound." It said, that about 4% of Americans were incapable of learning another language. Studies were only just beginning to try an understand the phenomenon. It said you could see in already in a child at three and four because they would say "titty-tat" for "kitty-cat."

About 2005, a Dutch friend who knew of my problem, told me about a neuro-linguistic lecture coming up at the University of Amsterdam. I attended and listened as a neuro-anatomist, who specialized in language, explain how using MRI she was mapping the brain and identifying areas and lobes and what they were responsible for. She gave several case histories of people unable to learn another language; and she said it was a real physical disability. "They are not dumb people. Some are very intelligent..." and she went on to describe an American professor who had been diagnosed, at seven, as "mentally impaired." She said that "He still sends me professional papers to copy edit for him." She explained that, with these people, there appears to be a stem missing from the lobe which is responsible for language.

At the end of the lecture, I went up to her and said, "Some of those case history could have been mine." Her immediate response was, "Can you spell?" I said, "No! Not at all...But I write professionally." Her retort was, "Impossible!" I countered with the fact that I had gone to a very good university and "there was this Dr. Montesi..." I asked if there was anyone doing a study in the Netherlands, on the problem, and she said "No, but if you ever find yourself in Miami, look me up. I would like to map your brain." I also asked if there were any methods and/or tricks that could help me learn another language? "None that we know of."

A few years ago, I was talking to a Dutch person who was interested in language and people with problems dealing with the discipline. I told her I had this disability called "dyslexic of sound." She said, "I know!" I was taken by surprise and asked her how she knew? She replied, "You mispronounce 'dyslexic.'" There are several English words that I mispronounce and even now I must pause in a sentence when I am coming to one to think how to say it: "renumeration or remuneration;" "expotential or exponential." When I am writing, I get confused with were/where; then/than; red/read; hear/here; and so on. Simple words. A friend, from my university days, married a woman named Virginia. Bob, called her by the diminutive form and so did I. One day, Bob said in exasperation, "Dammit! Her name is 'Ginny' not 'Jenny.'" From then on, when I wanted to use her name, I thought of the English alcohol drink, "gin." Problem solved. I can't hear sounds. I can't remember sounds. I love to sing, but no one likes to hear me.

Why this extended discussion on a language disability? What is its significance to "Intolerance in the Netherlands?" Well, that's for next week and Part 3 of this series of essays. And don't be surprised if Geert de Wilders name pops up.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2010

Gould's 3D List: Week #11

2010-11-11T17:30:00.003+01:00

Week #11

The 3D List is now on hold!

Put the blame on the Openbare Bibliotheek near Central Station.

Since September, 2007, the third floor of the new library has been my "office." When I make appointments, I tell the person anytime between 12 and 18:00, Monday through Thursday, you can find me there. And sometimes I am still there when it comes time for lights out at 22:00.

The choice of the third floor was for convenience. That's where the dictionaries are located. I can't spell. Often the word processor's "check spelling" can't determine what word I am trying to use. But more on that later. It is relevant.

I take medication daily. One of the little white pills is a diuretic. When it kicks in, I need to urinate every 15 or 20 minutes for three to five hours. The library has two open toilets. One on the 7th floor and one in the basement. You pay 20 euro cents for access. But each floor has a toilet for the disabled. When I began using the new library, I explained my problem to one of the floor librarians---there are perhaps ten or more librarians that serve each floor daily and weekly; it is a revolving system. She said, "Oh, my mother took the same pill." She gave me the key to the toilet for the disabled. The other librarians did the same.

Fast forward to last spring. One librarian began to show exasperation when I would ask. She would say something to me in Dutch and I would ask her to speak English since I neither speak nor understand Dutch (that problem will be discussed further in Part 2 of this discourse. It to is relevant.). Finally, at the beginning of July, as I was composing the last 3D List, of the 2009-2010 art season, she refused me the key. She called her supervisor and talked to her in Dutch and then handed the phone to me. The supervisor began to explain that there were special cleaners for the disabled toilets and the more people that used them the greater the work load. I replied that I had had only one complaint in the two years I had been using the toilet and that was from a floor librarian who said, "You always leave the toilet seat up." It didn't happen again. The supervisor finally said, "I will need to see a letter from your doctor." Two days later she had it.

I took a holiday from the library during July and August. When I began doing the list once again, I asked for the key and it was given to me. Even the lady, who had called her supervisor, did so, though reluctantly---and with a frozen smile. Then three weeks ago, another supervisor came up to me as I was working at the PC and said she wanted to talk to me. She said that the problem with my being allowed to use the third floor toilet was that the librarians left the key out for me---this was true---and they were not allowed to do this. Often the floor librarian is working the stacks or somewhere else so they accommodated my need by leaving the key partially hidden on the service desk. The supervisor told me that I could use the one one the fourth floor since that toilet was left open when the "radio studio" was in use. She rattled off the days and times that it would be available.

Well, the first week went without incident. In fact, even when the radio studio wasn't being used the same librarians that service the third floor gave me the key. Then, two weeks ago, the same supervisor appeared again at the PC, I was using, and said she wanted to talk to me. She lead me off to where two security people where standing. That took me by shock. I asked what they were doing there? I was told it didn't matter. She proceeded to say she understood that I was using the toilet on the fourth floor during hours when the radio programming wasn't scheduled. I told her that neither my bladder nor the medication, I took, adhered to any other schedule but their own.

I was told that they had a "solution" to my problem. I could use the toilets on the 7th floor and in the basement FREE. I said that that was not a solution. I added that while the 20 cents was a consideration---think of making use of the facility 10 or more times a day, four days a week---but that the main problem was the time it would take me to reach either of the toilets. In my present physical condition, when nature calls it screams. Waiting for the elevator can take from a minute or two to five minutes or more. But when you gotta go, you gotta go. I said that their plan was unacceptable. I was told to accept their solution or I would be physically put out of the library. I replied that this was discrimination.

Oh, yeah, one of the security men said, "The disable toilets are only for people in wheelchairs!" What, no blind person is allowed? I am reminded of "The Seven Commandments" for animals, in George Orwell's "Animal Farm." One of the commandments reads, after first being posted, "No animal shall sleep in a bed." Later, in the book, some of the animals noted that the pigs, who had taken over the farm house, were now sleeping on beds. When they checked the commandments again, they saw this, "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets."

Four month ago, I asked for a letter from my doctor attesting to my disability. Now, the meaning of the term "disabled" has been amended.

Last week, I composed the list at three different locations. One of them was the Amsterdam's Stadsarchief. Unfortunately, it closes at 17:00 hours. That I could adjust to. But when I showed up, at their door, on Monday---my main writing day---I discovered that it was closed on Mondays. I tried the University of Amsterdam library but was told that I could not use their PCs nor Internet connections without a student or faculty ID. I then decided to hell with it! No one pays me for what I do, so why bother.

Of course, there are those who have offered their appreciation for my support of art and artists exhibiting in Amsterdam. But, hey, who are they? And the government is cutting monies for the support of cultural activities so obviously they think that art has little importance in the overall scheme of things.

The powers-that-be are no longer acknowledging that art is the soul of a society.But without soul,can there be a soceity?
***

This is part one. Part two will discuss how Tolerance---that has been one of the great attributes of the Dutch society---is now on the line. And not always in obvious ways.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould

Gould's 3D List

2010-11-04T17:44:00.000+01:00

WEEK #10

3D keeps screaming that the recession is over! And there is more evidence that supports that contention. Last week saw RED DOTS in multiple numbers at a couple of galleries. Then there was the Affordable Art Fair. A report from just two galleries made me smile. "Gallery nine" reported 18 RED DOTS which is a wonderful surprise since they show conceptual avant garde work; and RudolfV had 8 Red Dots. I had three e-mails from readers saying that they found there way to Art A Casa and bought "sardines." They were over joyed with their purchase and the price. Folks, this is what it is all about. Artists creating and people BUYING. It makes the world go round. Putting money into circulation. Buying art is better than an ocean cruise and there is no sea sickness to suffer from. It's win-win.

P.S. There may be an interruption with the 3D List posting in the coming weeks. As regular readers know I do the list at the new Open Bare Bibliotheek. However, I have been pushed out. This has created a problem. I am now in the process of filing a discrimination suit against the library. I never would have dreamed, until recently, I would be forced into a position of doing such a thing in this country...But, hey, the times are a changin'.

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Art Fair Review: Het Sieraad: Jewelry

Amsterdam Art Scuttlebutt:

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week:

BITS & PIECES:

Scams, scams and more scams...The misuse of the Internet is appalling. Last week, I sent an e-mail to someone castigating them for passing on to me click-on address for one of those "...Friends, I recently found a very good site. It can offer you..." deals. She replied that she had not. Of course, she hadn't, but how was I suppose to know. Well, you never do. A month or so ago, I got another of these "I recommend you try this site to buy..." And who sent that? ME! But I hadn't! How do these people get our e-mail addresses? Trickery is how.

In reviewing these incidents, I recall that the same lady who had NOT sent me the e-mail with her reply address had sent an e-mail sometime last summer. There was just a click-on which said something about photos and had my full name. When I clicked on, I got a blank page. I assume that that was the "bait" and I took it hook, line and sinker. BEWARE.
***
ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS: At Fotovakschool (Nieuw Spiegelstraat 10, formerly de Appel's space) is a workshop lead by Alice Ramos (Brazil) for beginners with a basic knowledge of photography. Language: English. FREE. Maximum: 30 people. RSVP: cathelijn.st.amsterdamphoto@gmail.com
***
ATTENTION ARTISTS: "AVRO...is looking for students who like to participate in a debate on art subsidies...Please send in your artistic opinion on how to finance the arts, what importance the arts has, and what is going to happen to art without much of the subsidies. More info at: www.kunstindeknel.nl. Want to participate? Contact: Ernst-Jan Hamel/AVRO at: ernst-jan.hamel@avro.nl
***
Since the opening of The Temporary Stedelijk, at the end of August, there have been 50,000 visitors.
***
See what is happening on the Den Haag art scene at: www.stroom.nl.
***
"The Paris Review" was founded in 1953 by a group of writers and editors---and published in English---is now online and FREE: www.theparisreview.org. "Spend sometime with the rambling 1968 interview with a pill-popping Jack Kerouac, who by the end is so whacked-out that he asks his interlocutor, 'Why is there a little white beard in your mortality belly?'" Each issue has one or two interviews. The very first was with E.M. Forster. He was followed by Hemingway, Jorge Luis Broges, Hunter S. Thompson plus another 300.
***
Memo to Mark the Shark and Derk the Jerk. The new prime minister and one of his appointed ministers wants the Netherlands to emulate the American Dream. Here is the current status of that NIGHTMARE. "It is 6th in global innovation based on competitiveness, but 40th in rate of change over the last decade [thank you Georgie Porgie II]; 11th among industrialized nations in fraction of 25 to 34 year-olds who have graduated from high school; 16th in college completion rate; 22nd in broadband Internet access; 24th in life expectancy [hey, folks, that is what universal health care is all about]; 27th among developed nations in proportion of college students receiving degrees in science or engineering; and 48th in quality of K-12 math and science education...Charles M. Vest, the former M.I.T. president, worked on the study...[he said] 'This is not a pretty picture, and it cannot be washed away.'" See complete article, "Can't keep a bad idea down," by Thomas L. Friedman at: www.iht.com, (28th October).
*
...And more about DREAMLAND..."US falls in corruption survey, moving down three places to 22nd," by David Jolly (www.iht.com, 27th October). The least corrupt are 1) New Zealand; 2) Denmark; 3) Singapore; and the Netherlands is ranked, 7th.
*
...Nor should we overlook the fact that the "economic liberalism" that endears Mark the Shark's heart for the USofA nearly brought about the total collapse of the world economic structure. Also, the USofA has not had a favorable balance of trade in products (manufactured goods, agriculture, etc) since 1971. So much for the benefits of "economic liberalism."
***
Did you know that Oscar Wilde's mother, Speranza, named him "Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde?" Just thought you would.
***
MuseumNacht is this Saturday. 3D says go at your own risk. The promotion brings out an army of people. This results in very, very long lines at popular exhibitions. The wait can be an hour or more which makes the specially priced ticket---that allows you entrance to all venues---an expensive investment since you may only be able to see three or four shows because of the lines. 3D is campaigning for a Paris style museum night where the venues are open until sun up on Sunday and ALL are FREE.
***
METROPOLITAN/DELI (Warmoesstraat 135) is celebrating its first anniversary. This Saturday, at 20:00. you have read about Kees Raat's incredible chocolate creations in this section of the 3D List previously. Now check out for yourself what an eating experience it can be to sink your teeth into the dark brown delights. There are taking this occasion to introduce the following: "cerious breakfast" [sic], "cafe Bicerin," and ice cream with a dip sauce. Enjoy!
***

ART FAIR REVIEW: SIERAAD INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY ART FAIR 2010 (Gashouder, WesterGasfabriek)

Until the 20th century, jewelry was more about making a statement of wealth than it was about adornment. Precious jewels and gold, in abundance, that dangled from the necline, the wrist and graced every digit of the hand. The 20th century brought to the market "costume jewelry" where the diamonds and rubies were made from paste. But it did decorate and accent the body and clothes. Towards the end of the century, "new jewelry" became a term to describe the new niche in the market. New jewelry is made from everything thing imaginable. It is sometimes simple, other times highly elaborate and everything in between.

You now have a perfect opportunity to see an unbelievable and comprehensive overview of what is available and from around the world at SIERAAD until this Sunday. But let me take you on a very short tour:

Malu Berbers works with---of all things---plastic. But don't let that put you off because you won't see it. The bracelets are real cool and the brooches and necklaces are a surprise as well. She draws, in water proof ink, on the plastic. The same with the rings. 59 to 129 euro...Angela Jansen works with rubber, metal, plastic and crystals. she shapes the material into rings, ear rings, necklaces and bracelets. One series consists of whimsical animals like you expect to see in a Dr. Seuss children's book. 15 to 85 euro...Isablel Schaupp does a full range of jewelry from rings to necklaces. Some pieces are elaborate with beads, wire and miniature wire "baskets." 75 to 760 euro...Eva Schreuder works with gold and silver plated in very simple styles which come across elegantly. She etches words like "you" and I'll" onto the metal. She does these in edition of 17 and they sell for an amazing 17 euro. Sweetwater pearl ear rings @ 62.50 euro....

Frauke Timmermas does a take-off on 19th century silhouette cut-outs, but in metal. Also, necklaces made of felt with gold or silver adornments. 40 to 230 euro. ..Eelco Veenman does something completely different. A large necklace resembles a young girls charm bracelet with 33 "charms." It is titled, "Collector." It refers to things the designer has made over the years but now in miniature like a bird cage, knife and parachute. Some items you can wear and some you can't. But you gotta see them! 1,000 to 6,000 euro...Zita Jansen does more traditional jewelry design but the fun is in the presentation. You will see a large maple tree branch, above the booth, with examples hanging like Christmas tree ornaments.The material she uses is gold, silver,, bronze and textile/fabric. In fact, her rings are interchangeable with a pearl, fabric and a metal base. You can take it part and arrange it to fit your mood. Clever. 250 to 4,000 euro...

Ute van der Plaats works with themes. Her necklaces tell a story and there is a brooch that is like a footnote to the tale. She uses the same theme to make two necklaces and one brooch. Everything can be purchased separately. The material is more often than not, recycled from the flea market. But you will find a couple of pieces that are reproductions of Roy Lichtenstein's work. Very nice. 30 to 450 euro...Nelle Content shapes meta that looks like the results of someone peeling an apple where the skin is of an irregular line and with a three dimensional effect.. Well, this is another one you gotta see. 90 to 300 euro..."...Fabienne Vuilleumier uses plastic and silver; and the results are elegant. Kid you not! 100 to 2,000 euro...Julia Miltenberger uses super light neoprem to make colorful geometric designed work. Nice. 12 to 89 euro...Looking for good kitsch? Look no further than at what Sally Collins has to offer. She has it in spades! She combines silver, gold with textile and fabric. She crochet, tears, cuts, etc and more often than not combines it all into simple to elaborate pieces. 45 to 2,200 euro.

Don't miss "Stone Matters." It is a large installation consisting of rubber inner tubes used for the tire of scooters to big trucks and measuring 25 to 150 cms., in diameter. But that's what gets your attention. On an adjoining wall there is a display of jewelry by 20+ designers. Expect to see anything and everything you don't expect to see. More? A large booth is titled, "Inspiration." It is just that. Work inspired by who knows what? But the results are very nice. Eight people, all Dutch, contributed. 35 to 3,900 euro. Oh, yeah, there is nothing "traditional" about the work.

On your way out, you will find the only new jewelry gallery at the fair, "galerie ra." But they are not showing any trinkets. Instead there are nearly 200 book titles on display all about new jewelry and design.

There is a very well illustrated catalog available at 3 euro.

In conjunction with this event there is also the "DowntownArtJewelry Festival...A jewelry route through Amsterdam. from the 4th to the 7th of November. More info at: www.bsidefestival.wordpress.com, and for a map and list of participants: www.bsidefestival.wordpress.com/where-is-the-b-side/ that you can print out.

AMSTERDAM ART SCUTTLEBUTT:

...And more on Grid1020...The final nail...A gallery holder came up to 3D, last weekend, at an opening, and handed me the illusive GRID2010 program saying " I just got it a few days ago. Thought you would like to see it." It is rather useless. There is no real Table of Contents. There is a page, at the beginning, that has "Locaties" (locations) and that is divided into ten geographical areas. But there are NO page numbers for the locations; in fact, there are NO page numbers at all in the program.

"AMSTERDAM-OOST/cruquius" is the first section. The first two pages are for "Duitsland." The next two are for "Polen" and the third is "Tsjechie." The pages that follow are: Kenya and Columbia.There is NO alphabetical order, not by country, gallery nor by photographers' names. This is also true for the other geographical designations. Nor is there an index at the back. How do you find the names of galleries, photographers or a country, you are particularly interested in, is any ones guess.

Nor is there a standard style to the type face. The type face design changes from page to page; there is a mix of bold and normal, but no consistency. The pica size also changes from page to page. Then there are typos like "De balie," in bold and red print. On the opposite page, with a photograph, it is "De Balie."

And this is suppose to be "GRID2010 International Photography Biennale Amsterdam Metropolitan Area [sic]," however it is ALL in Dutch with a few exceptions; and those exceptions are ONLY in English and a few in both languages. The introduction, written by the Managing Director,r is nearly unintelligible in the English translation. To wit: "She [Amsterdam] wants to go from its social orientation committed to a society of acceptance, respect and tolerance are central. This is already more than eight years reflected in the design and implementation of a comprehensive arts education and social societal programming." Huh?

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

Wednesday:

A special performance was staged at W139 (Warmoesstrat 139) by the Paris group, JET SET. Three male performers entranced the audience for 90 minutes in an exhilarating theater piece. All were dress in black and leathered and/or bedecked in a scarf or necklace. Two were black and one white. One black man spoke in French and the white man translated his words into English. The group have their origins in the Paris suburbs and carrying on the influences established by Doug Saga (1974-2006) who was from the Ivory Coast of Africa. He along with six other Ivorian immigrants founded a band which mixed Congolese soukous (music) and choreogrpahy.

The black man told a story. It was real and it was improvised to suit the place and situation. They projected the dialog with beat and dance. It was, in a way, a continuous rap, in both English and French, done with style and rhythm. The dance became robust as the story developed. They were fun as well.

One black player was silent for the first half. At one point, he takes out an enormous 50 cms., long cigar and lights up arrogantly and blows smoke in our faces. Another performer goes up to a photographer, who had been recording the event, and begins to lick the lens of his camera. All this was against a black curtain that was five meters high and lined the back wall of the space.

It was an evening of spectacular and entertaining theater. The players were Gotta Depri, Hauke Heumann and Franck Edmond Yao. (No web-stie listed for the group. www.w139.nl.)

Saturday:

Galerie Serieuze Zaken Stuioos (Laurierstraat 96) is hanging the work of Roland Berning who is now doing something different while sticking with the same themes that he introduced into his oeuvre 25 years ago. The Disney elements is still there as is the fun and games and jokes. Already in the early 90s he was playing with the figurative vs abstract/expressionism. He has coninued to develop that style and has added collage parts to enhance it all. A new element are the cut holes which resemble the type where you stick your head in and become Mona Lisa.

But back to the overall imagery...He breaks all the rules for compositon going to the edge of both the figurative and expressionistic. Some works have a strong flavor of street art. In several pices the same figure appears and always in the same pose, dress and colors. There is a series of six drawings titled: "Pinocchio." He has taken pages from an over sized children's coloring book an embellished them in a variety of ways. Nice! SEVEN RED DOTS. (42.5x55 cms., drawing @ 800 euro; 70x90 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,250 euro; 160x122 cms., mixed media/acrylic on triplex @ 4,000 euro.) There is also a catalog specially priced at 10 euro; 90 pages, hardbound in 4-color. Until 1st December. www.serieuzezaken.info
***
There is a new gallery in town: Jeanie Hofland Contemporary Art (De Clercqstraat 62). the first exhibition is for a Canadian artist, Michael Jones, in a show titled, "Tolerance Time." The press release says, "Jone's project revolves around the complex motion of tolerance post-9/11 in relation to the Vancouver Multicultural Society's state sponsored activities of the 1980s and 90s." He expresses the theme in several ways. At the entrance to the gallery there is a sign in 51 languages (except English) that says "Welcome." Inside, there is an abstract mosaic collage that says, "Learn the rules." A photograph shows a similar piece but it flanked on four corners with a quarter section of the world globe. On the wall there is a four-color "unity symbol" in yellow, red, black and white.

Included is an eight minute 16mm film, "Broken Window," which combines all the factors into a short scenario. It is a drama of sorts involving a police officer---played by the artist himself. Another wall of the gallery has about 20 or so posters all promoting the virtues of a multicultural society. (91.5x61 cms., ink on whiteboard @ 970 euro; 83x63 cms., broken mosaic tile @ 1,250 euro; 90x61 cms., acrylic on paper @ 1,500 euro; "Broken Window" 16mm, 8:04 min Ed. 3 @2,500 euro.) Until __?__ No web-site address listed.
***
At SEELEVEL (OZ Voorburgwal 153) are about seven photographers. All female? Anyway, from the price list 3D was able to determine five first names to be female; the other two were listed as: "Freudenthal/Verhagen." But I digress...The styles are as diverse as is the subject matter. Unfotunately, while there is a price list, there is NO key that indicated who did what neither by number nor location. there are NO name tags nor numbers with the works. Hey, give us a break! This is becoming too common amongst galleries. Is it that they overlook the obvious or are too lazy? (Editions range from 5 to 10; and prices from 1,000 to 5,600 exclusive BTW.) Until __?__
www.seelevel.nl
***
Erik Andriesse (1957-1994) died too young. Too young because he was taking the figurative and representational into uncharted areas. The work, in this exhibition, at Galerie De Expeditie (Leliegracht 47), consist of drawings that he made between 1985-1993. You will see flowers, skulls (human and animal) and skeletons. But don't let that keep you away since both the skulls and the skeletons are either studies in b/w and shades of gray or expressionistic. He had a fascination with flowers and he did them differently from any other artist you have seen. The works are all on paper in chalk, charcoal, ink and/or wash. FIVE RED DOTS. (34.5x48 cms., @ 3,000 euro; 69.5x99 cms., @ 7,500 euro; 300x138.5 cms., @ 18,500 euro). Until 4th December www.de-expeditie.com
***
"tegenboschvanvriend" (Bloemgracht ____) has a group show of five artists with a theme that, well, it is not really apparent. There are several pieces that are maquettes of buildings made from either wood or plaster or both. A plastic sack is stuffed with lots of plastic sacks in various colors. Five cardboard Black & Decker boxes, in different sizes, are aligned as one. A stck of eating plates and cup saucers are all of different sizes and stacked in a way the the final shape looks like a big egg.

A two meter high plaster head is monumental if only because of its size. There is an "installation" of 20, 30 or more transformers with their wiring meandering from the center like the tenacles of an octopus. As to who did what? That's anyone guess. No names tags nor numbers. But there is a price list with photos for each work. (Khan Lee's plastic bags @ 1,125 euro; to Johan Tahin's plaster/metal head---222x140x160 cms., @ 27,500 euro and everything else priced in between.) Until __?__ www.tegenboschvanvriend._____
***
Hebert Hoffman (1919-2010) was not a photographer, but someone who took pictures. His "Living Pictures" are now on view at TEN HAFF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248). The collection documents a subculture of people who decorate their bodies with tattoos; they range in age from the young to some in their 50s and 60s. In 1961, he opened a tattoo parlor in Germany. What you will see are his clients with their bodies exposed to the camera including genitalia. The latter is represented with two penis heads that have a cartoon face tattooed on them. And females are also part of his "diary." The people appear to be quite ordinary; and perhaps the tattoos are meant to tell their story or the story of their alter ego. No matter. These b/w photos are striking in their grotesqueness. Damn, forgot to check the price list. Until 18th December. www.tenhaffprojects.com
***

WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Reminder: The (?) indicates that the info could be incorrect. And the "*" means the same when it comes to the times. You are advised to phone ahead.

THURSDAY: 4th November, 2010
THURSDAY: 4th November, 2010

17-21:00 Het Sieraad Jewelry Fair (Gashouder, WesterGasterrein). This is an unusual fair because only individual jewelry designers are invited---NO galleries. This means cheaper prices and the chance to talk with the maker of an item that you will cherish. This year 205 international designers participate including 17 booths for "young talent." www.sieraadartfair.com

17:30 "foam" (Keizersgracht 609). "Immersion, fotografie & Video," with Alexandre Maubert, Justine Pluvinage and Vera Sch"ope. There are two other locations for this exhibition of young French photographers. See below. www.foam.nl

17:30 Maison Descartes (Vizelsgracht 2a). See above at "foam."

17:30 Museum Van Loon (keizersgracht 672). See above at "foam."

18-21:00 LOCUSLUX Amsterdam (Brouwersgracht 151). Pascal Danz' solo exhibition with "out of focus." www.locusluxams.com

19:30 Stedelijk Msuem (Paulus Potterstraat 13). "Theory Talks: The modes of history...looks at the different modalities of history that (art) historians have available for incorporation into a contemporary practice." Hendrik Folkert, Keith Moxey (Columbia Univ., NYC), Donald Preziosi (UCLA, LA) and moderated by Eric de Bruyn (Groningen Univ). Language: English. Entry: "5 [euro] entrance fee museum," not sure what that means. RSVP: reservations@stedelijk.nl, www.stedelijk.nl

FRIDAY: 5th November
FRIDAY: 5th November

11-18:00 Het Sieraad Jewelry Fair (See Thursday for more info)

13:30 Stedelijk Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 13). "GalleryTalks," with Liesbeth Bik who "leads a tour focusing on highlights from the two exhibitions" now on view. Language: English. FREE, but you pay museum entry. www.stedelijk.nl

16:00 "cbk-amsterdam" (Oranje-Vrijstaatkade 71). "Installatie Muck," by Daniel Verkerk. www.cbkamsterdam.nl

17-19:00 Persmuseum (Zeeburgerkade 10). Book presentation for "Empty Your Pocket," by the photograher/artist, George Maas. This is an on going project by Maas where he asks men to "Empty Your Pocket[s]." You will see 289 examples and probably even 3D exposing himself. Huh? www.xs4all.nl/~birgitl/georgemassnl/portal

17-19:00 ARTTRA (2e Boomdwarsstraat 4). Photobook presentation for Aram Tanis, "Blowing Smoke and Seahorses." Works in b/w. www.arttra.nl

17-19:00 AYACS (Keizersgracht 166). Stijn Mulder, paintings. www.ayacs.nl

17-20:00 [De is Ka] (Hirsch Building, Leidseplein 23). "The story comes full Circle." An "exhibition featuring the historical photographs taken in Atelier Jacob Merkelbach in the Hirsch Building in the period 1913 through 1969." An interpretation of the work by Isi Kunath. www.deiska.com

17-19:00 Oranjekerk (2e van der Helststraat 1). Jo Hameleers, paintings. www.hameleers.nl

17:00 or 18:00 Chellerie (Raamgracht 58). The invites list TWO times. "De dames Fokkens," a duo exhibit for Louis and Martine Fokkens. They paint the Red Light District in a naive style. 3D suspects that they use to sit behind the windows too. According to The American Heritage Dictionary (1st edition) the English word "fuck" is from 17th century Dutch word "fokken" which means to breed. Tell me about it. See what you can learn by reading the 3D list. No website address.

19:30-21:00 Op Stekker (Noorerstraat 61). Angel Gonzales Llacer (Spain) paintings. www.eduarte.nl

20:00 DasArts (Mauritskade 56). Bojana Bauer gives " a lecture on the complex relation between language and embodied artistic practices." FREE. www.dasarts.nl

20:30 SKYBOX (Murcusstraat 52). Arnout Killian and Willy Wodka. This is the smallest, tinest, most miniature gallery in Amsterdam. Kid you not. www.skyartbox.wordpress.com

SATURDAY: 6th November
SATURDAY: 6th November

11-18:00 Het Sieraad Jewelry Fair (See Thursday for more info)

15:00 Galerie PETIT (NZ Voorburgwal 270). Be J. Bizra, sculpture work and Anna Metz, etchings. www.galeriepetit.nl

16:00 MLB Exposities (Witte de Withstraat 32). "Joy of the Earth & Light of our Pottery," ceramics by Junko Shigaki and Erika Futo. www.mlbgalerie.nl

16-19:00 Jaski Art Gallery (Nieuw Spieglestraat 29). Emilio Kruithof' "The Gift." www.jaski.nl

16-19:00 Galerie Brandt (Prinsengrqacht 799). Emmanuel Barcilon (France), abstract paintings. www.galeriebrandt.com

17:00 Van Zijll Langhout Gallery (Brouwersgracht 161). Go Eum (Korea) whose exhibition was inspired by the Korean poem, "Till A Peony Blooms." Film, video, collages and an installation. www.vanzijlllanghout.nl

17-20:00 VERVERS Gallery Amsterdam (Hazenstraat 57). "Fiat Lux, let there be light," group show of 12 photographers doing the 80s and part of the "Fantastic Photography" nationwide exhibition. www.verversgallery.blogspot.com

17:00 Galerie M. van Zomeren (Prinsengracht 2776). Maurice Scheltens and Liesbeth Abbenes, "Detail in Reverse." www.gmvz.com

(?)17-19:00 Galerie D. Stigter (Elandsstraat 90). Helen Verhoeven's "The Thingly Character." www.dianastigter.nl

19:00 Mediamatic BANK (Vijzelstraat 68). "Ignite Amsterdam 2," "...a wide variety of speakers to express themselves, their work, or an idea. Musicians,, artists, designers and writers will take turns wooing you just five minutes." At least 19 people and/or organizations take part including the ubiquitous Papa Adama. He does get around. Entry:P 3 euro. RSVP: www.mediamatic.net

19:00 Smart Project Space (Arie Biemondstraat 111). "Smooth Structures," seven artists, curated by "Enough Room for Space," a Rotterdam based artists' collective. www.smartprojectspace.net

SUNDAY: 7th November
SUNDAY: 7th November

11-18:00 Het Sieraad Jewelry Fair (This is the last day. See Thursday for more info).

15:00 Galerie Ei (Adm de Ruijterweg 154). Michel van Dam. No website address.

16:00 ABC Treehouse (Voetboogstraat 11). Rene Zuiderveld, photography. "Rene's work often expresses itself through a sharp use of color, a nod to the kinky/fetish world, and through the sometimes joyful eroticism." www.treehouse.abc.nl

TUESDAY: 9th November
TUESDAY: 9th November

18:00 Bellamy-etalages (N.B. @ Euroland, Kinkerstraat 279 + other locations in the neighborhood). "Caissieres Kiezen Kunst." Reception at 18:00 at Beeldend Gesproke (Borgerstraat 102). www.beeldengesproken.nl

20:00 NIMk (Keizersgracht 264). Olia Lialina (Russia) "will discuss...the subject of Digital Folklore and the book on this subject." Entry: 2.50 euro. Language: English. www.nimk.nl

20:00 DasArts (Mauritskade 56). Jan Verwoert will lecture on "'What Was Mine Is Yours Now: Theft and Empathy.' The success model of corruption versus a culture of compassion." www.dasarts.nl

WEDNESDAY: 10th November
WEDNESDAY: 10th November

20:30 STEIM (Utrechtdwarsstrat 134). "Hotpot Lab #11 - Niche Music Talk 2" "There are just too many songs on iTunes and too many sub-genres to explore, so we have invited some expert listeners to help to help us navigate through this mess." USB sticks are welcome. Five separate programs. FREE. www.vimeo.com/12012233 , www.steim.nl

THURSDAY: 11th November
THURSDAY: 11th November

14-16:00 ARCAM (Prins Hendrikkade 600). "Uitnodiging lansering UAR Amsterdam." RSVP: w.thissen@nai.nl, www.nai.nl/uar
***
Sorry for the delay in this weeks list but 3D ended up making use of three different locations to use the Internet. So it has been done quickly with no times for all the nice little touches. Apologizes for all the mistakes that I haven't the time to look for. Life is hard!

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2010

Gould's 3D List:

2010-10-28T16:43:00.001+02:00

WEEK #9:

As always, last week, on the Amsterdam art circuit, was a visual delight; not to mention, at one opening, there was a four piece band playing 50s and 60s rock and roll. It doesn't get any better! It is these little things that make going to galleries an unforgettable experience. It is an exercise for the mind and often rattles your various senses. 3D estimates he has been to over 10,000 openings over the last 40 years and, guess what? I am still seeing things for the first time. That's what makes art so exciting. Its reinvention of itself. The nicest part is that you can take the experience home with you. Make this the week that you BUY something to last you a life time.

...And, once again, NO icons for color, etc. So sorry...

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Art Fair Review: Affordable Art Fair

Restaurant Review: Lucius---Seafood Restaurant

Amsterdam Art Scuttlebutt:

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week:

BITS & PIECES:

A competition was sponsored by the Guggenheim Museum (USofA) and YouTube. It is a "biennial of creative video." A total of 23,358 submissions were made and 25 awards were given out. See the winners at: www.YouTube.com/Play.
***
...Since writing that, 3D has been informed that one of the winners is Christóbal León, one of the 25. He is represented by Upstream Gallery, of Amsterdam. www.YouTube.com/user/playbiennial. www.upstreeamgallery.nl
***
Laser 3.14, the Amsterdam' street poet says, "Some Decisions End Up Tumorous." At Westeinde 18.
***
ATTENTION ARTISTS: A call from the pamphlet publisher "PRESENTeert" that "invites painters to express themselves in written form...These writings range from discrete documents to personal and critical pieces on art, politics and life. As works of art in themselves or simply [as] evidence of the artist's life and craft." There will be a "special event: Wednesday 17th November, 20:00 hrs." For more info: www.presenteert.wordpress.nl (See "What You Missed...Sunday" (below) for the review for their current group show at "outLINE Amsterdam.")
***
NIMk, "5daysoff," Pervasice Media Studio and Kitchen Budapest "launch an open call for a cross-European residency program." They are "looking for interesting artists seeking time and space for research, produce and present projects at the intersection of art, mobility and culture involving audience participation." Deadline 12th November. More info at: www.nimk/nl/eng/call-for-proposals-shared-artist-in-residence.
***
"Plutonian Striptease, is a series of interviews with experts, owners, users, fans and haters of social media, to map the different views of this topic, outside the existing discussions surrounding privacy." The artist Dave Griffiths, Aymeric Mansoux and Marloes de Valk did the interview. More info and ALL interviews at: www.pluto.kuri.mu/
***
A profile of 3D, by Radostina Kushelieva, editor of "Spoke," can be read at: www.amsterdam-spoke.com
***
ATTENTION ARTISTS: "A THOUSAND LIVING PAINTERS is a track of artist initiative Verfhond, based in Amsterdam." It has been online since January, 2010. www.a1000livingpainters.com. See website to learn how you can be included.
***
"Some books are undeservedly forgotten; none are undeservedly remembered," This is a quote from W.H. Auden, the poet. It begins the article, "Opening the pages of innovation," by Alice Rawsthorn (www.iht.com, 25th October), devoted to book design. She list her "personal pick of the current crop of books that seem likely to be remembered for their design credentials----for old reasons, and new ones."
***
Did you know that it is said that the Netherlands has more museums per square km than any other country in the world? There are over 800 cultural delights (read: museums) and they are all a short train ride away.
***
The Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht, is looking for a new director. Closing date for application is 23rd November. www.janvaneyck.nl, or e-mail: info@janvaneyck.nl
***
Forbes Magazine says that there are 117 billionaires (1,000,000,000) in China; and the Horun Reports say that there are "hundreds of thousands of millionaires." Pass the fortune cookies.
***

ART FAIR REVIEW: Affordable Art Fair @ Westergasfabiek

Art fairs are always a challenge to review. How can you justify talking about, say, 15 galleries out of 80 or more? This is the formula 3D is using for the AAF: I will describe what is on show at non-Dutch galleries participating this year. There will be mention of a few Dutch galleries as well. However, that selection has been made strictly on a monetary level. We will call it: Good koop!

So, its off to the races...It was a dark and stormy night, but the people came. At times, there was a 20 meter long line of visitors waiting to check their coats. But once inside 3D saw: Marcello Corazzini Studio (Italy) who offers a potpourri of styles and techniques. Paintings, photography, collages and sculpture. From 200 to 5,000 euro....Galerie Envie d'Art (France) shows contemporary Pop School Art (Pop-Con) to paper folded forms with a Japanese flavor; and photography. 1,010 to 4,770 euro...Gallery Panati (Italy) with Pop-Con to representational to contemporary impressionism. 2,000 to 5,000 euro...Pigros La Clastre (France) is heavy on linear abstraction both in the print style, as well as, mixed media and paintings. Most work is minimalistic.. 480 to 3,000 euro...Palma Arte Gallery (Italy) is hanging representational, Pop-Con, abstract and an artist that emulates Picasso. 700 to 4,300 euro...The French Art Studio (England) has Pop-Con but with a difference. Two artist use metal and make their work dimensional. 450 to 4,500 euro...

Minotaure Contemporary Gallery (Israel) also has Pop-Con, as well as, photography, metal on paper (and very nice too) plus mixed media. 950 to 3,500 euro...Galerie in Art (Germany) shows street art on canvas, oversize kids' toys in stone and rather grotesque faces carved in a variety of marbles (Greek, German and Italian), plus sandstone at 320 euro each...Gallery K.A.G. (USofA) hangs unusual work. It is basically expressionistic painting but with a mixed media technique which means that overall it is hard to describe. Some pieces are mounted on brushed aluminium. The prices vary, but are very reasonable thanks to the weak dollar.

GOOD BUYS: Art A Casa offers several oils and acrylics at 50, 60 and 70 euros. But what will win your heart are the "sardine cans." The artist makes a drawing of a fish on paper; takes a sardine tin and twists pack the lid; then inserts the drawing and covers it with an epoxy. Great! At 50 to 70 euro, a real steal...Not to be out done, ATH offers miniature and mixed media drawings (one is three dimensional) at 2 for 100 euro. And they are endearing...Wies Willemsen has jewelry beginning with a bracelet priced at 20 euro. Kid you not!...Aan De Amstel offers several paintings of high-heel shows, ala Warhol, on composite board. These 20x20 cm works are available for 199 euro and come with a black gift box secured with a red ribbon. Wonderful Christmas gift...

At Radar Architecture & Art are silkscreens from none other than Amsterdam's street poet, Laser 3.14. You can buy a 25x20, signed and numbered (Ed. 24) print for ONLY 50 euro. The imagery is embellished with his "poetry:" "Future Copulation;" "Soon My Dear;" and "Watch Me Fall."...Dayang's Art (China/NL) offers porcelain "eggs" standing about 10 cms high. It is sort of a Humpty Dumpty image with shirt and tie and in Delft Blue at 50 euro...Galerie de Ploegh shows a sculpture object of wire and stone priced at 120 euro, as well as, small bronze pieces, in an Ed. 5, @ 150 euro...As you leave, be sure to check out the "take aways." FREE copies of both the glossy "Tableau" and "Elegance."

Finally, the CATALOGUS 2010 is a 42 page map of who and what's on display. Each gallery submitted a piece to illustrate what they are all about. It makes for easy shopping.
***

RESTAURANT REVIEW:

I had a strong desire for lobster and an excuse to celebrate. But where to go? The last time I enjoyed the delicacy was during the early 80s, at the Oyster Bar, at the Leidseplein. But a few years back, I was hearing bad things about its quality. So I decided to check out another noted fish and sea food restaurant, Lucius (Spuistraat 247). It was a Sunday night and nearly every table was occupied; a group of Japanese were also present. Both good signs. The last time I had eaten here was about 20 years ago. Time flies.

On the walls there were chalkboards touting oysters and mussels. Four types of oysters were available: Zeeuwse Creves (@13.50 for 6); Fines de Claires (@15.50 for 6); Gillardeau (@21.50 for 6); Zeeuwse platte (@30.00 for 6); and you could order a sampler plate featuring two of each variety for 26.50. Sounded good to me. The waiter set in front of me a plate that was filled with crushed ice which was topped with the oysters. A tart onion flavored dip was at its center. When the assortment was put before me, the waiter identified each variety. As he did so, my eyes scanned each half shell. I noticed one that appeared to be almost empty. It looked like only the muscle, that connected the body of the oyster, with the shell, remained and the meaty part had slipped off. I tried to point this out to the waiter just as he turned away and he didn't seem to hear me. But, then, I checked and sure enough there was the "body" of an oyster there. Small. Very small. The oyster' shucker should have consumed it himself as one of his perks. Nor were the other varieties all that much more meaty. Well, it is early into the season.

Lobster! I have partaken of this culinary delight in the USofA' state of Maine where I had it boiled, cooked in cream and butter and deep fried. The latter was more from curiosity than anything else. I knew it would be unlikely that I would ever see again on a menu, prepared that way, outside of the state. I mean, deep fried lobster? It deserves better treatment. To be sure, it was good, but not as good as traditional cooking methods normally associated with its preparation. Then there was that lobster sandwich with homemade mayo at Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. My mouth still waters from that memory. The Lucius' menu said it was from Canada and served "cold or warm." I asked the waiter if it had been frozen, "Not frozen solid...After all, it comes all the way from Canada." Okay, there's that.

It is priced at 22.50 for one half and 44.00 for a whole portion. I opted for the small serving. The waiter muttered something about if that would be enough. I thought so. But I was wrong.

The lobster was of a variety that we refer to in North America as a "chicken lobster." That title designates the smallest legal market size lobster. They weight from 400 to 500 grams, whole and with the shell. My half serving, with all the meat, together, probably weighed in at less than 200 grams. I had declined the grilled version in favor of boiled. I have no idea if the grilled would have been a better option, but the boiled was tough and stringy. There was melted butter and mayo for dipping. A very small salad of lettuce, pickled onion and whatnot was also on the plate. On the side was a dish of mashed potatoes. I had not been offered a choice of cooking style for them.

I ordered an half liter carafe of a white German wine, Weingut Johaneshof Rheinhessen (bottle @ 18.50; carafe @ 13; glass @ 4 euro) and it was nicely priced and very drinkable. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate ganche with "bilberries [sic] (read "blueberries) , hazelnut sauce, black pepper and whipped cream (8.50 euro). It was delicious and made up for any short comings to the rest of the meal...almost. The service was fast, friendly and good.

Will I be back? Probably. After all, it was a Sunday night and any self respecting restaurant goer knows NEVER to order fish or seafood on a Sunday night. It was delivered to the restaurant no sooner than the previous Friday. Also, my previous visits---albeit ages ago---were memorable. Maybe this was just an off night, but I still can't get that slimmer of an oyster laying nearly invisible, on its shell, out of my mind.

Total bill: 70.50 euro. The menu comes in nine languages and a vegetarian dish is available. E-mail: seafood@lucius.nl, www.lusius.nl
***

AMSTERDAM ART SCUTTLEBUTT:

Another gallery shared this experience with 3D: "FYI, regarding the GRID2010 saga: this week, a young man showed up at the [gallery] with 2 boxes of program books. I informed him that 1) he's late, the exhibit is already half over; and 2) there's is no way we could use two boxes. I took a nice stack from him and sent him on his way...only to find, upon flipping through the book that [though] we are a participating location we are not listed. Sigh...Signed D.D."

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

Friday:

At Art Affairs (Veemkade 354) is Simon Raab (Germany) with something completely different. In fact, in a sense, he has introduced a new technique. First he finds and old gilded frame. Second, he takes a large sheet of stainless steel and shapes it with a result that looks like you are viewing a mountain terrain from 10,000 meters high. He then shapes the edges of the stainless steel sheet around the edges of the frame. Finally, he paints on the entire surface. The painting style is expressionistic and while there is a kitschy flavor it has a pleasing visual effect. Nor is there any redundancy as you go from work to work. Each piece is unique. And because of the nature of the steel, there is a glow to the colors. Nice! (120x90 cms., polymers and stainless steel on wood @ 18,000 euro; 144x100 cms., polymers, stainless steel on wood @ 28,000 euro.) Until 20th November. www.artaffairs.net
***
Art Inn (Servaes Noutsstraat 12) is a new venue for exhibitions at the edge of De Pijp. The current show is for "Mathilde uP" who does photography and titled, "Amsterdams Kleurencanon." She employs a consistent theme in this exhibition: Color coordination. The photographs are all of Amsterdam but the concentration is on the elements that make for the city scape. As an example, we see a red one-way sign with a red bike and a man in a red jacket. In another, snow covers the ground, the parked cars and two people are wearing white coats. (42x28 cms., Ed. 8 @ 600 euro; 60x40 cms., Ed 8 @ 750 euro.) Until 26th November. www.kleurpsychise.nl
***
Thom Boekhoven is back at Galerie Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570). He paints still lifes in realistic style that from a distance almost looks like hyper-realistic. The settings are simple and sometimes with only three objects making up the composition: a bowl, a flask and an apple, as an example. There is also a purity to the work, but you gotta see it to appreciate the meaning of it. (70x70 cms., oil on linen @ 4,750 euro; 120x80 cms., oil on linnen @ 8,250 euro; 170x95 cms., oil on linnen @ 7,000 euro.) Until 20th November. www.galerierademakers.nl
***

Saturday:

Art A Casa (Kerkstraat 411) is showing the work of Monique van Stokkum who paints and works with old wood. This is her third or fourth time at the gallery. She works with old wood in three ways: she paints on it; makes identifiable objects from it; and---what's new---she has added a conceptual element. Van Stokkum collects oddly shaped pieces of wood and paints them in pastel colors then arranges them sometimes in a pattern and sometimes randomly. Her paintings---all of ladies---are also colorful and with group scenes. (10 cms., high painted stone @ 20 euro; 45x45 cms., @ 850 euro; 80x200 cms., @ 3,250 euro.)
***
Peter Vos brings back the magic to representational painting. His subject matter is banal: a swan, a monkey, a tree or flowers. But the way he captures each image is special. It's the colors, which are subdued, and the "posing" which is sometimes not only unusual but gives the representational an abstraction look. Good show. (35x40 cms., oil @ 2,800 euro; 58x34 cms., oil @ 3,500 euro; 100x120 cms., oil @ 8,000 euro.) Until 27th November. www.gerhardhofland.com
***
3D at first thought that Henri Jacobs composed his drawings on a computer. WRONG. The work, now at Galerie Paul Andriesse (Westerstrat 187) is all in pen & ink and sometimes with color. All have been meticulously drawn in very intricate abstract and linear forms and designs. The imagery harks back to the 60s and the Op-Art School which stylized the abstract geometric concept. But his work goes beyond the simple abstraction. Each one is a unique work even when it involves a conceptual and consistent theme and an almost subliminal redundant pattern. The works are in b/w, color or a combination of the two. Any further description of this work will come up short of what you will see. And 3D gives it a WOW! (A4 @ 1,500 euro; A3 @ 2,400 euro; 150x100 painting/construction @ 14,000 euro.)

Sharing the space is Stephen Wilks with the installation titled "Carrousel 2010." [sic] And it is just that! But, also, so much more. At the base, of the carousel, there are several gears arranged like an intricate mechanism of an old wind-up clock. And they work. They also actually control the movements of the six skeleton figures that stand atop. Each figure is holding a donkey and each is in a different color---one of which is decorated with Japanese characters. Nice. 3D asked the price but was told it was "Reserved." I then asked if it had been optioned by a private person or a museum? "That's confidential!" Really? Why? Until 5th December. www.paulandriesse.nl
***
At Dom Polski (Keizersgracht 174,Second floor) are the b/w nude photographs of Blanka Wasowicz (Poland) which have classical themes; one recalls Botticelli. However, his nudes are posed in a variety of ways that vary from allusions to the Virgin to fashion models. (No price list)...Sharing the space is Rutger ten Broeke (NL) who also does b/w photographs. But he uses both architecture and wooded scenes as a backdrop for his nudes. There is one cavorting through a meadow; floating in a lake; and standing in the window of a French style chateau. But all are not all that obvious. (No price list) Until 23rd November. www.dompolski.nl
***
Ana Carvalho is at "galerie LWW" (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 5c) whose work could be classified as to style as: representational, conceptual, abstract and expressionistic. She goes on the street and photographs a broken window through which we see an old paint peeled door; or a row of cement street barriers with their orange tops reflecting the late afternoon sun; or metal louvred sheets, in colors, with an abstraction being part of its construction. She just doesn't find interesting subject matter, but she crops the imagery, at the scene, in ways that turns the representational into conceptual abstraction. THREE RED DOTS. (30x40 cms., @ 225 euro & 240 with frame; 40x50 cms., @ 325 euro and with frame 350 euro. All in an edition of 10 and signed.) Until 27th November. www.galerielww.nl
***
New jewelry is always the theme at Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgrcht 12) and the present show is no exception. Annemarie van Gorkom takes as inspiration something as ordinary as sliced white bread and turns it into a fashion statement. Or how about the ubiquitous directional arrows? There are 30 on display and all in different colors or hues. But it is the necklaces that get your attention. She uses sheets of mother-of-pearl and cuts-out symbols.sometimes they are typographical, sometimes arrows and in several designs; sometimes simple circles and/or squares. THREE RED DOTS. (Necklace @ 750 euro; Brooch @ 950 to 3,500 euro.)

Well, now, what do we have here? Mi-Ah Rödiger (Korea/Germany) makes the concept "new jewelry" exciting because it goes where the traditional approach has not. She takes even the intention of how we wear jewelry to new levels. As an example, there are full size ear phones (though not usable for the purpose of hearing sounds) that you slip on over your head and clamp to your ears. Each side is decorated and glazed with gold. Three brooches have an uncanny resemblance to the female vagina---though someone told 3D it was the inner-ear. A necklace has the same imagery. A "bracelet" is made of a sea shell with added resin that forms the loop and its all in pink. Nice. (Brooch @ 300 euro; armband @ 400 euro; necklace @ 400 to 1,200 euro.) Until 27th November. www.galerierobkoudijs.nl
***
At Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140), in the back gallery, is an installation that is just sooooo Cool! Shana Moulton (USofA) uses video to convey her themes which are on a multilevel. The central focus is a three by five meter screen with a short film titled, "The Calatic Pot Healer." It is strong in color and busy in composition. Then it gets better and includes three dimensional illusions and delves into mysticism with a headless oracle among other things. But it is more fun than it is supernatural. On another wall, there is a continuing review of iconic images of the female nude with a variety of interpretations. Then there is an installation which includes both a video and side show...And there's more.

In the Playstation section there is the work of the Swiss artist, Flurin Bisig with "The First Rendez-Vous." He does constructions using cardboard with emphasis on linear abstraction. One series of five works has two in b/w and sandwiched between them there are three compositions in green. blue, b/w. There are three "tables" set up in the space and atop each there are four constructions. Again, heavy on the linear aspects. (Cardboard & wood @ 900 euro; cardboard, paper and "kapa" @ 1,000 euro; cardboard, paper & Plexiglas @ 2,000 euro.) Until 20th November. www.fonswelters.nl
***
Paul Haworth (UK) is at Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 34) with several styles of art and sometimes he even brings them all together into one piece of work for an artistic stew. He has a high heel shoe fetish or so it seems. But he turns this rather ubiquitous woman's everyday accessory into dramatic compositions. One is in red could be titled just that, "Composition in Red." The fact that it is a spiked heel shoe is completely irrelevant. Another work is composed with typographic symbols which create an abstraction. A woman holding a mirror and applying lipstick looks like a painters pallet. The figurative part is unusual and the colors vibrant. An A5 size photo is nice. He has photographic a street lamp looking up its stand. There is, in the backdrop, the contrails of a high flying jet plane. A work on paper shows two black squares and each with a caption: "Girls in pink stetson" and "Boys in Dream Westerns." (50x84 cms., silkscreen, Ed. 50 @ 50 euro; 50x30 cms., oil @ 1,500 euro; 154x170 cms., oil @ 6,000 euro.) Until 20th November. www.gabrielrolt.com
***

Sunday:

At "outLINE Amsterdam" (Oetewalerstraat 73) there is an unique show of artists that are active members of "PRESENTeert." The latter is actually a regularly published pamphlet which was established by the painter Aquil Copier. Copier "invites painters to express themselves in written form." Interesting concept. The latest version asks questions of artists in English and the answers are in Dutch. Weird. But, I digress...This show features the work of about 20 contemporary artists working in several different styles from conceptual to abstract/expressionism to the figurative and representational; and there is computer art as well. No doubt you will see something to like; some you will dismiss, but none that you can ignore. Unfortunately, there are no name tags nor numbers next to individual works. There is a price list, but, again, there are no number nor a schematic outline to indicate who-is-who. The prices range from 80 euro to 4,500 euro to one at "Price on request." Until 20th November. www.presenteert.wordpress.com, www.outlineamsterdam.nl
***
At WALLS there are a whole lot of artists, but that's always true...The problem for 3D is that it is impossible to comment on ALL of them...A thousand pardons, but here is a brief overview of about half...Eefiene Bulhuis works with wood and copper. The results are conceptual linear sculpture/objects. Think of the schematic illustration of the atom with the spinning electrons and protons and you have an idea of how Bulhuis shapes his forms. Good work. (36x36x90 cms., @ 345 euro; 140x74x92 cms., @ 550 euro. Very cheap for what you get.)...Jennifer Huyer does painting and drawings. The drawings range from conceptual linear abstractions in pencil to representational in pen & ink plus a wash. A mixed media on paper is abstract/expressionistic with typography that reads, "Love & Communication." (50x70 cms., pencil @ 500 euro; 70x100 cms., mixed-media on paper @ 600 euro.)...Christl Wolf creates montages from photographs using PhotoShop. She pays homage to René Magriette in some works and others are like a study into absurdity with a surreal touches. (50x25 cms., @ 250 euro.)

Sanne Hak has a cute idea. She takes small boxes about the size of a cigarette packet and inserts a photo that she enhances with paint. (9x6 cms., @ 300 euro; 2x9x6 cms., @ 450 euro.)...Marloes Toonen makes mix-media collages with drawings. There is a childlike quality that makes each piece endearing. This is conceptual figurative work that will entrance your imagination. (15x20 cms., @ 250 euro; 29x40 cms., @ 400 euro.)...De Intuïtiefabriek displays simple bowl designs in white and gray. They are elegant...Mariet Ewalts embroiders on paper and cloth. But that doesn't actually begin to tell the story. Two works have, as a base, a page from a standard-size newspaper. She embroiders every line of typeface, the space for photographs, etc. The other work generally includes typography in some way as well. Good work! (20x20 cms., # 375 euro; 50x60 cms., @ 700 euro.)...Charlotte van der Horst has an installation that covers nearly all of the back space of the gallery. It comprises thousands of steel wool pads like we use to use to scrub the bottom of pots and pans before Teflon. In a sense, it is "interactive." Several children were sitting, laying or bouncing on the piles at the opening. (6,000 euro.)

Linda Hartman does figurative expressionism. There is a playfulness in her imagery as well as a fluidity. The colors are subdued and a series of three has a sense of Chagall's naïve elements. (90x80 cms., ink, "bister," on rice paper @ 350 euro; 90x180 cms., ink, "bister" on rice paper @ 950 euro.)...Coorie Blanksma is a painter with a mixed style of representational and expressionistic. The composition are excellent and unusual. The subject matter completely irrelevant. (100x70 cms., @ 1,000 euro.)...Tim Schoonhoven creates fractured imagery photographs. Sometimes you feel almost a representation then it seem to slip away into abstraction. (120-250 euro.)...Yasemin Türkoglu shows work that is worth the visit. A b/w acrylic painting on canvas is a linear abstract but works on several different levels. And she flanks the canvas with several porcelain objects---all in black or white---that look like the tentacles attached to the "Alien." (140x100 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 1,150 euro; "Aliens" porcelain @ 75 euro each.)...Malou Tan hangs three b/w photos and each is totally different. One, has the model in a Madonna (The Virgin) like pose. Next to it is an architectural photo that is best described as a study in linear abstraction. And, finally, a purely representational piece that looks from a distance to be an abstraction. Nice. (100x70 cms., C-print on Dibond @ 700 euro.) Until 18th December. www.walls.nl
***

WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Reminder: When you see (?)---and you will---it indicates that the info could be WRONG. And the "*" has the same meaning when it comes to the times. BEWARE!

THURSDAY: 28th OCTOBER, 2010
THURSDAY: 28th OCTOBER, 2010

10-17:00 and 19-21:00 Auction house De Zwaan (Keizersgracht 474). Art, antiques, furniture, jewelry, etc. See catalog at: www.dezwaan.nl

11-17:30 Affordable Art Fair (Westergasfabriek) This goes until Sunday. According to the promotional flyer the prices range from:100 to 5,000 euro. Not so! Last year, 3D saw original and one of a kind pieces for 30 euro. Even a student can afford that. Give your self a good three hours or more to take it all in. Avoid Sunday because that is the day it is really packed; and much has been sold. Avoid disappointment. go today or tomorrow. See review above and where to find the "good buys." Online ticket discounts available: www.affordableartfair.nl

(?)17-19:00* Museum Jan van der Togt (Dorpsstraat 50, Amstelveen). "Peter Blokhuis in Marrakesh," paintings. www.jvdtogt.nl

20:00 Mediamatic BANK (Vijzelstraat 68). "Synthetic Aesthetics Salon: future natures in a culture of synthetic biology." "This salon will be exploring why our notions of nature and technology may need to change and look closer at work in both art and science." FREE. Language ??? www.syntheticaesthetics.org, RSVP but no address on invite. See: www.mediamatic.net

FRIDAY: 29th October
FRIDAY: 29th October

10-17:00 De Zwaan (See Thursday)

11-20:00 AAF (Westergasfabriek) (See Thursday)

13:30 Stedelijk Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 13). "Gallery Talk" with Hripsimé Visser, curator of photogrpahy for the Stedelijk. Language: English. FREE but you pay the museum entry. RSVP: reservations@stedelijk.nl, www.stedelijk.nl

20:00 PLANETART (Wibautstraat 150). The winners of GOGBOT Youngblood Award will be announced. Also featured, in the program, is "The Blackbox" which is "designed to experience sound without the interference of the other senses." Plus "Small Talk" an interactive installation. www.planetart.nl

SATURDAY: 30th October
SATURDAY: 30th October

10-17:00 De Zwaan (See Thursday)

11-18:00 AAF (Westergasfabriek) (See Thursday)

15-17:00 SBK Amsterdam Zuid (Van Eeghenstraat 59). Geert Bartelink, "Nieuwe Aanwinst." www.sbk.nl. And, in upstairs at Galerie 59 is Maarten Brinkman, paper sculptures; and Truus van den Heuvel, forms. www.galerie59.nl

16-19:00 Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Lauriergracht 96). Roland Berning, "new work and other surprises." Expect to see an installation. Plus sounds by "Orange Mountain Music." www.serieuzezaken.info

17-19:00 "tegenboschvanvreden" (Bloemgracht 57). Khan Lee, Stephan Mörsch, Frederik van Simaey and Johan Tahon. www.tegenboschvanvreden.com

17-19:00 Galerie De Expeditie (Leliegracht 47). Erik Andriesse (1957-1993). A selection of drawings and print work by an artist who died young. www.de-expeditie.com

17:00 SEELEVEL (N.B. O.Z Voorburgwal 153 or 2e Kosterlorenkade 69, there is some confusion here as to the address). "'Contriving Inquiries' presents six representatives of the current generation of photographers who...pursue stage photography." At 17:00, an artist talk. Then at 18:00 the reception begins. This exhibition is in conjunction with the nation wide "Fantastic Photography" event. www.seelevel.nl

17-20:00 TEN HAFF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248). Herbert Hoffman, "Living Pictures." This sounds interesting. Hoffman opened a tattoo studio in 1961 and he took photos of his clients and "these photos are now a diary of his life." www.tenhaffprojects.com

17-19:30 Upstream Gallery (Van Ostadestraat 294). Maartje Korstanje, "What if..." [sic], sculpture work. www.upstreamgallery.nl

20:00 Punt WG (M. v. Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 15). "Corpus," Silvia Lepore, Sandra Pellarin and Christina Della Giustina. A presentation of a "work period" from 24th October to the 30th of October. www.puntwg.nl

SUNDAY: 31st October
SUNDAY: 31st October

10-17:00 De Zwaan (See Thursday)

11-18:00 AAF (Westergasfabriek) (See Thursday)

15-17:00 RETORT (Aansmeerweg 103). "PANORAMA," by Baukie Spaltro. www.retortproject.nl

16:00 Galerie 23/Hedendaage Africanse Kunst (KNSM-laan 307). Olga Dengo (Belgium/Mazambique), paintings. www.galerie23.nl

21-Midnight: Nieuw Dakota (NDSM-werf, Ms Van Riemsdijkweg 41B). "A Finnish party to celebrate the finissage of UITGELICHT...[the gallery's] current exhibition of contemporary Finnish photography and video. Entry: 10 euro (includes two drinks). www.nieuwdakota.com

TUESDAY: 2nd November
TUESDAY: 2nd November

16:00 Maison Descartes (Vizelsgracht 2). "Na tuindorp en vinexwijk...Architecten over de bestemming van woonwijken in Frankrijk en Nederland." A panel discussion. Language ??? RSVP: but there is no address on invite.

***
A wide variety of things to do. And this week is special because you have an art fair. A chance to see over 80 galleries at one go. Not only are there Amsterdam' galleries, but several from around Holland not to mention Germany, England USofA, Israel and...But, hey, go see for yourself.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2010

Gould's 3D List:

2010-10-21T16:02:00.000+02:00

WEEK #8 (...And the mystery continues...the icons for color, etc have
disappeared. What is going on here?)

...And the WOWs! keep-a-coming...And that's cool! 3D is always chiding his readers that if you don't go, you don't know. Why wait for me to tell you all about it. Be the first on your block to know what is hot, exciting and, well, mind blowing in the great city of Amsterdam. Part of the fun in being an "art sleuth" is discovering artist that are new on the scene. They are not always young and a few have been aging and evolving both their skill and vision over the centuries----or it may seem to them, at times, that its been centuries. But a real artist never despairs. His working is his therapy to get through the day, week and years. But they all---young and old---need your encouragement and especially your support. Read: Financial. BUY something this week. Pleeeease...

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Amsterdam Art Scuttlebutt:

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week:

BITS & PIECES:

This sounds good..."Bestel deze unieke print Achter Glas, 1956 van Johan van der Keuken gratis bij Pixum." 3D hesitates to do a translation because of his very, very limited Dutch, but I understand the key word: "gratis." So check out the website: www.pixum.nl/foam for more info.
***
Something new on the art scene...Well, almost new. "Zapp Magazine is an international art magazine on video. The 'videozine' presents exciting developments in contemporary art through registrations of shows, performances, artists' videos, interviews, etc." It will be presented, officially, at BOSCH ART FILM, Saturday, 23rd October at De Verkadefabriek, Den Boschm Hall 4, 19:30." It really isn't new but has been resurrected. Originally published between 1993-1999 (10 issues) and with one issue in 2007. Each video issue is 90 minutes long and covers the world art scene. It is published in Amsterdam. www.zappmagazine.nl
***
Lloyd Hotel is in Tokyo with "Still in LLove" [sic]. This is a celebration of 400 years of trade relations between the Netherlands and Japan. The event features "Japan and Dutch designers [who] will fit out the interior of the hotel by each creating a unique room...the exhibition includes a café that will serve food exclusively sourced from Nara." Over 50 Dutch designers and artists participate with 117 different rooms and public spaces offering exhibitions, presentations and meetings. The concept is by Suzanne Oxenaar, Artistic Director of the Lloyd Hotel, and realized by Jo Nagasaka, Architect Director of Happa Hotel "...a temporary pop-up hotel in his gallery in Tokyo." www.lloydhotel.com, www.cibone.jp
***
Halloween has come to Holland. Giving a party? Check this out: www.entertainment.msn.com. There are hints on: Things to do; Party Plans; Food ideas; Oddities and Costumes. Have fun and happy horror.
***
"Art magazine to artists: Drop dead!" Hey, that ain't nice, but indeed "A brain trust over at London's ArtReview wants you to know that artists no longer matter very much. For the first time since it began publishing the Power 100, a subjective annual ranking of who counts in the international art world...no artist made the top 10." Oh, the horror, the horror. www.latimes.com (14th October).
***
TED, the California lecture group, that has its roots in technology, entertainment and design, announced this week that they would give their annual prize of $100,000, for 2011, to "J R," the Parisian street artist. He is noted for plastering colossal photographs in cities around the world. Sometimes he uses them for provocative statements like: "You never know who's part of the police and who's not." You may remember him from his "foam" exhibition back in June of 2007. It was an unique show in that it was the first time that the exhibition was not inside the museum but located at five locations throughout the city: Paradiso, Anthenaeum, et al. Former winners included Bill Clinton, Bono and Jamie Oliver, the chef. See article titled, "Award to Artist Who Gives Slums a Human Face," by Randy Kennedy at: www.nytimes.com (19th October).
***
In front of the Tropenmuseum at the Mauritskade entrance there is a VW Beetle titled the "Tattoo Car" (2010). It is part of the exhibition "Cars & Traces," by Betsabee Romero (Mexico). www.tropenmuseum.nl
***
...And on the Dutch political front there is this from the lead clown's mouthpiece..."Anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders should never have been taken to court on inciting hatred charges because he has already been found guilty," said his lawyer Bram Moskowicz [whose list of clients also includes the Hells Angels]." He continued, "Judges, in a previous court, have already decided that Wilder's statements are insulting to Muslims." Well, yes, it is confusing, but I think that's Bram the Ram's intention. Confusion. As to Pretty Boy Geert's "guilt," well there are all those video tapes of him attacking Islam from every conceivable direction. Unless he has an a twin brother or there is a look-a-like speaking for him, I guess he is "guilty." Freedom of speech? An American Supreme Court judge said, in the early part of the 20th century, that free speech did not allow someone to yell out "fire" in a crowded theater.
***
...And more on the parliamentary three ring circus show...The new prime minister, Mark the Shark, has distant the CDA and VVD parties from Pretty Boy Geert's contingent by saying "That the CDA and VVD parties saw Islam as a religion and the PVV saw it as a political ideology." Not sure what he really means by that. Actually, he should be asked to explain these parties' stand on the Catholic Church. Now that group really does have a "political ideology." Ban abortion, homosexuality, stem cell research, etc., etc., etc.
***
...And this section of the 3D List has been chronicling cuts in the cultural subsidies by attacking the conservatives on where they place their priorities...But maybe it isn't conservative ideology that is at fault. The new British prime minister is also a conservative, but Cameron announced this week that "17,000 troops, a fleet of fighter jets and an aging aircraft carrier would be sacrificed" in an attempt to balance the UK budget. He is suggesting an 8% cut to the annual defence budget. 3D thinks he's got the right idea. Are you listening Mark the Shark?
***
...Finally, on the political front, 3D predicts that the new Dutch coalition government, consisting of three parties, with only 76 seats out of 150 seats, in parliament, will not last a year.
***
A couple people e-mailed after reading about the Van Gogh's PR department snub to the "3D List" saying that they didn't think it "important." Yeah, that's the message 3D got, too. But how do you measure importance. Sheer numbers? The quality of numbers? That is, who are the people who take the time to click on to the weekly list? What?

In September, something had gone wrong in my transferring a list to the blog spot. In searching for a solution to the problem, I discovered, "Stat." I clicked on. Wow, there was a list of countries from where the click ons had originated. China included. Yesterday, I checked it out again. Here are the statistics for the period "21st September to 20th October: NL---1,959; USA---240; Denmark---131; UK---90; Germany---62; Russia---45; Canada---44; Poland---34; Turkey---29; China and France---18." Who are these people; and why are they reading the "3D List?" The Internet is amazing.
***

AMSTERDAM ART SCUTTLEBUTT:

Peddling past the BLOW UP Photographic Gallery (Elandsgracht/Hazengracht) I saw the space empty. Looks like another gallery has bit the dust.
***
...And more on GRID2010...The mystery as to why there are NO programs available, for this non-event, at places you would expect to find them, has been solved. 3D was told that there is a charge of 1.50 euro. Well, of course De Balie, OBA, SPS, etc do not "sell" flyers nor booklet programs. But why are none of the programs available at "participating" galleries? 3D suspects that they, too, had to "buy" them and either give them free and absorb the cost or sell them to clients which would seem cheap.
*
...And still more about GRID2010...This from a gallery holder: "We're participating in the GRID...the 'organization' of GRID managed to make four mistakes in three artists' names, mentioning two artists who are only hanging in the gallery and not in the Winehall of the Cruquiusweg, not mentioning the artists' group whose pictures they published...not mentioning a specifically instructed 'courtesy of...' despite at least 10 e-mails, five telephone calls, four face-to-face conversations and sending them files with the right specifications file by file so no misunderstanding could arise. Signed S.R." The gallery went on to say that the opening night ceremony was a complete disaster and went into details ending with "I spent most of my time trying to mollify angry embassy official from the country of the photographers I was hanging."
***

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

Thursday:

Teun Voeten hasn't decided which is more affective. To tell a story of a thousand words with one photograph. Or, to tell a story in thousands of words with several photos. He is hanging b/w photographs at "VIP's International Art Gallery Amsterdam" (Spiegelgracht 8). The work is heavy on the contrast, but considering the subject matter, it is appropriate. He spent time below ground, literally, touring New York City's subway tunnels that are populated with "Tunnel People." There he chronicled this odd and diverse population of homeless people: Men, women, children and even cats. We see them preparing a meal; congregating and "partying" on a Friday night. (Hand printed on Silver Gelatin Fiber paper, Ed. 35, signed and numbered @ 450 euro.)

The opening was also the occasion for two book presentations by Voeten. But one of the titles was not what you would have expected from a photographer because it is prose and he gives us background stories to go with an insert of 16 pages of b/w photos. Ironically, perhaps, he begins his tunnel exploring odyssey on the 31st of October, Halloween. He describes Riverside Park and the people jogging, walking their dogs, etc and oblivious to the fact "that right underneath their very feet is a hidden underworld." If you have any humanitarian sympathies, don't miss this show. (22.50 euro. ISBN: 978.1.60486.070.2, 304 pages. First published, 1996. This is the second edition.)

The other book is titled "New York, New York," and you get what you expected: B/W photos of the architectural edifices that dot NYC's city scape; plus the homeless photos in this exhibition. Striking work. And he spotlights the classic buildings like 3D's two favorite NYC skyscrapers, the Art Deco masterpiece, The Chrysler Building (3xs); and the late 19th century gem the Flatiron Building, designed by Daniel Burnam (2xs). This is the catalog for the show and it is in a signed and numbered edition of 400 and priced at ONLY 10 euro. But there is a very limited supply remaining. Until __?__ www.vipsart.nl
***
From a photographic exhibition that's heavy on contrast---capturing the NYC' homeless---to another also heavy on b/w contrast capturing the general population of various cities in Turkey. Ahmet Polat walks in two different worlds: the European and the Turkish by virtue of the fact that his mother is Dutch and his father Turkish. Raised in Holland and for the past five years living in Turkey. Thus he sees the Turkish society from different perspectives and he has a very good eye for subject matter: Young people hanging out at a Burger King; two lovers on a ferry; three professional? club? ladies sucking on their Marlboro's and beach scenes. His compositions are excellent. There is a very large photo (250x280 cms) of birds in flight hovering just above the ground. It could be a cell from the Hitchcock classic, "Birds." His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, New York Times, Paris Match and Vogue. Until 8th December. www.foam.nl
***

Friday:

Black is back! Well, it probably never went. Joep van Liefland is at SM Bureau Amsterdam (Rozenstraat 59) with two themes: Black and b/w contrast and media. And the show's title is, "Black systems (extended version)." On entering the space, you first notice a vitrine housing 12 video cassette cases all in black but with a few exceptions. A 2 and 1/2 by 3 meter wall hanging has the image of a TV that's on the fritz with the screen showing staggered b/w bars. Next to this, there is a canvas with the silkscreen of an old reel of tape from a tape recorder. Before it stands a c.50s Telefunken record player cabinet with a small Sony b/w c.60s TV. A film is playing from time to time being interrupted by a "lost signal" and, again, the staggered lines fill the screen.

A seven by three meter black room has been constructed in the middle of the space. Enter it and you see two walls of black video cassettes; two vitrines of cell phones and TV remote controls; a cabinet with 10 b/w TVs of various sizes, plus other electronic equipment; and two walls of books that look like a compilation of various sets and with ornate bindings and all with the same title: VIDEO. Two prints portray moments in Radio/TV's evolutionary history. One is a b/w "test-pattern" which was common to see before TV programming became 24/7. The show, overall, is a study in conceptual redundancy held together around the theme of b/w and TV/Video. But forget the philosophy behind the concept and get off on the visual experience of contrast. Until 28th November. www.smba.nl
***
Amstel Gallery is at a new location----Stadhouderkade 155---and the first show was a visual delight with more colors then a showcase of penny candy. Mel Bagshaw (UK) inaugurates the space with highly polished and sometimes dramatic color photography. The linear notes describes one series, titled, "Doll Face," as "roles where women have a strong visual identity and potentially underling dominance and sexual power." What we see are 12 photos, of the same model, in 12 completely different roles and manifestations ranging from nurse, executive secretary, flight attendant, high school girl with lollipop, dominatrix madam, etc. The colors are in a word: Vibrant.

Several photos show the subject---a lady or ladies---sprawled on the floor, down a flight of stairs, across a road, etc. Depressing? Not at all,. The lady on the floor is dressed in orange down to her toes and contrasted against a b/w checkerboard floor. Another shows a woman lying at the bottom of a pool----lined with small tiles---in an orange bikini. In another, there are two ladies laying across a bowling alley dressed in zebra patterned dresses with a red and green bowling ball as a nuance. Beautiful work. (140x105 cms., photo in epoxy, Ed. 9 @ 4,500 euro; "Doll Face" series as installation, photo in epoxy, Ed. 12 @ 5,700 euro N.B. This is for the first four numbers only.) Until 27th November.
***

Saturday:

Joke Firma is at Mokum Galerie (OZ Voorburgwaal 334) with a style that is a mix of realism and contemporary impressionism. That is, unlike true realism the imagery is not meticulously rendered in detail and unlike true impressionism the imagery maintains its integrity in form and color. What does make the work special is her skill with composition. Some of which form unusual scenes: a pumpkin patch; or two rotting pears with small crab apples and a dragon fly. (8x10 cms., oil on panel @ 500 euro; 20x30 cms., oil on linen @ 3,800 euro; 100x180 cms., oil @ 18,000 euro.) THREE RED DOTS 15 minutes into opening. Until 14th November. www.galeriemokkum.com
***
Johannes Karman is hanging paintings at "Gallery nine" (Keizersgracht 552). He is a conceptual minimalist. A series of monochromatic "ribbed" canvases are in cream white and reflect Jan Schoonhoven in a favorable way. His color work is more daring and inventive. He overlaps two 30x30 cms., canvases and they are both basically monochromatic with some more so than others. That is, a red canvas, on close inspection, reveals two subtle diagonal red lines and each with a different shade from the other as well as the red of the surface painting. Next to it there are two yellow canvases and each have a black horizontal line dissecting the upper edge of each section. Two 200x20 cms., vertical canvases are curved and dramatically jut out from the wall, at the middle, by about 5 cms. He also hangs a neon sign reading: "The Light Is In Me." (46x38 cms., oil on canvas @ 925 euro; 61x38 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,200 euro; 201x20x5 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,900 euro.)

Also showing is Herman van der Madewho's works in stone. Perhaps, it would be more accurate to say he "enhances" found stones. He collects glacial stones washed up to the coast of Scotland, Denmark and Holland. As a result, most of the work are beautiful---and naturally shaped---ovals. But it is his carved nuances that bring them alive. One has an illusion of a face that brings to mind Modigliani. Next to it is a stone that has been split down the middle and one side is in its natural state and the other side has been polished. He has done this with other pieces as well. Minimal and elegant. (16x21x9 cms., granite @ 5785 euro; 22x21x13 cms., "gabbro" @ 900 euro; 38x19x17 cms., "basalt" @ 1,500 euro.) Until 13th November. wwwgallerynine.nl
***
LA has invaded the Amsterdam street art scene with its own version of the genre. "Street art" has come in from the cold and the practitioners of the style now work on canvas and paper. At Willem Kerseboom Gallery (Leidsegracht 38) you can see how three of LA's street artists have evolved in the transition from street to gallery. "Kofie" hangs compositions of geometric abstraction. A visual show stopper---if only because of its size (350x350 cms)---is dramatic and has an intensity created by a complicated series of linear angles and contrasting b/w areas. (60x60 cms., found paper, ball point pen, acrylic on panel @ 3,000 euro; 350x350 cms., acrylic/spray paint on canvas @ 25,000 euro.)

"Retna"---not to be outdone by sheer size---has a canvas measuring 350c450 cms. And, wow, it is simple but busy in its imagery and dramatic and intense because of the contrasting b/w. The right side of the work is a portrait---could be a mime---and the left side is a series of symbols that resemble typography. Nice. Two small works feature portraits of ladies with an overlap of symbols creating tension. (135x95 cms., silkscreen, ink, Xerox collage and enamel @ 7,000 euro; 360x450 cms., @ 30,000 euro.)

In the other gallery....well, for something completely different...is the work of "Mear One." Each work, and without exception, is busy, busy, BUSY and often in different ways. A full body portrait of a Marilyn Monroe look-a-like maintains true skin color but the hair, dress and back ground and floor is a multicolor extravaganza. Three other works pay homage to Fritz Lang's classic SiFi film, "Metropolis" (1924?) with its towering and futuristic skyscrapers. "The Katharsis" (350x350 cms.) has, in addition to the architecture, a reference to American Indians with a profile of a Bald Eagle; and a reference to Da Vinci's schematic drawing of man. It has surreal elements plus graffiti and is titled, "Look What We Became." Also, there are several silkscreen prints from this same artist that are from editions of 5 to 100 and priced from 200 - 900 euro. (61x122 cms., oil on canvas @ 7,500 euro; 122x153 cms., oil on canvas @ 18,000 euro; 350x350 cms., oil on canvas @ 25.000 euro.) Until 13th November. www.kerseboom.com
***
Let's get it out of the way...WOW! WOW!! WOW!!! for Hans Op De Beeck (Belgium) now showing at RON MANDOS (Prinsengracht 282)...And, get this part, as 3D was locking his bike, I glanced at the windows and the space was dark. Ooops, I thought. Goofed again...However, I noticed that the door was open, so I went inside. Indeed, the space was in half light. Only a few strategically placed spotlights provided what light there was. And the space itself was a study in gray. (Come to think of it, I seem to recall that the painting referred to as "Whistler's Mother" is actually titled, "Study in Gray.") The show's title, "Still Lifes," perhaps should be suffixed with "Studies in Gray." The walls have all been painted gray and a dark gray/black carpeting covers the floor. The artist had demanded these embellishments as conditions for gallery to show him. Glad he did! The resulting atmosphere is dramatic.

The reason for this theatrical approach is that the work, in a sense, reflects a stage play. Scattered through the space there are tables standing about 130 cms., high. But, no, they are not ordinary tables. They are made of gypsum including their "tablecloth." Atop are maquettes that could be a design for a stage set...almost. As an example, one table has a two wall section with three windows; a fireplace with mantel; a desk and a chair; plus a pen and a pencil; and a tangerine, partially segmented; and a glass. The size relationship is not true. That is, while the desk and chair relate to each other in proportionate size---but are in miniature---the pen and pencil are actual size and appear to be much larger, relatively, to the desk and chair. On another table, there is a "still life" consisting of three bottles; a tree, a folding chair, a water fountain and three pine cones. Everything has been carved or molded with gypsum...And then the show gets more interesting. Op De Beeck also does washes, photography and video. A b/w wash of a gas station is in a word: Beautiful. This hangs perpendicular to a man sitting in a large ornate c.17th century formal drawing room which is lighted for affect. Another large piece looks like the cosmos and, again, in b/w.

A video brings together several elements seen in the maquettes, but is also a study in contrast, linear abstraction, fantasy and there is, maybe, even a story. The musical score, which is a-tonal, sets the mood. You want more...Well, there is! A small gallery could be the studio for a contemporary music/sound composer. A large hexagonal table is topped with PCs. keyboards, sound speakers, various electronic pieces and the floor is strewn with electric cords and cables to feed the energy needed to bring it all to "life." And, again, all in gray. Great! (90x90 cms., photo mounted on Dibond Ed. 5 @ 9,000 euro; 100x81 cms., water color wash on Arches paper @ 11,500 euro; 84x103x132 cms., Ed. 3 sculpture, synthetic gypsum, steel & wood @ 30,000 euro.) THREE RED DOTS. Until 20th November. www.ronmandos.nl
***
Esther Janssen is showing at Cookie Snoei Amsterdam (Hazenstrat 11) with "Swell." The work vibrates from the wall! It is like the imagery was intensified with neon light. One painting depicts an American suburban housing tract with cookie cutter designs. Floating above this tranquil scene are 25 hot air balloons and while most are in traditional shapes a few are more daring. You will see other balloons looking like ponies, a heart (both the iconic style and a schematic one with arteries), a penis, Darth Vader, etc. A sculpture/object picks up on the horse imagery. We see a cage measuring 175 cms., high and 140x90 cms., enclosing a stylized blue pony with an exaggerated flesh colored penis; and don't overlook the pink bow on its rump.

Another work is a collage of sewn fabric/material. The image is a cabinet holding a TV and stereo system. Another "painting" is a suburban Christmas scene with Santa Claus, elves, Jesus (and the cross), a giant penis with a Xmas tree formed from lights. Fun, whimsical and imaginative. Give it a WOW! It should be noted that the "paintings" are done digitally. She composes the work on a PC and prints editions. (60x60 cms., digital painting Ed 5 @ 2,000 euro; 43x43 cms., sewn paintings @ 3,400; 100x100 cms., sewn paintings @ 8,000 euro; "Pony" 130x90x140 cms---without platform---sewn sculpture @ 12,000 euro.) Until 20th November. www.cokkiesnoei.com
***
There are always five artists at RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427) so you are sure to see something that gets your attention. In the front gallery there are mixed technique paintings made from plaster with marble powder added and mounted on cotton. Jan van der Ster then paints the imagery---using various techniques---which are often enhanced with typography. The result is conceptual figurative and an abstract visual experience. (30x45 cms., plaster/marble powder @ 750 euro; 45x65 cms., 800 euro; 100x120 cms., @ 2,500 euro.)...In the same room is the stone work of Fieke de Roij. She fashions from granite simple forms and often combines two pieces into one work. Most---if not all---is monumental. Elegance personified. (475 euro, 850 euro and 1,800 euro.)

Sjouke Dijkstra is a photographer who doesn't stop with the image captured digitally. It is only the beginning stage. Dijkstra takes the photo---and sometimes several---and manipulates the imagery with PhotoShop and prints on paper and canvas. You get distorted figurative imagery against an abstract/expressionistic background. (70x100 cms., @ 750 euro; 180x100 cms., @ 990 euro.)....In the back gallery is the work of Nerses Djaladian who makes conceptual figurative washes, on paper, which has nice influences from Picasso. There is a mix of styles and often with subliminal images. (450 to 900 euro.)

And now for something completely different...Olivier de Crayon has come up with a new and an imaginative technique 3D has not seen before. He photographs a Tokyo' Ginza scene----with all its garish colors---then he transfers the imagery also onto a metal screen with a grid of pin-point holes. He cuts the metal into five cms., strips across. Next, he lays the actual photo into a frame and then adds the metal strips---staggering them across the image---and at about three or so cms., from the photograph. It creates an unusual illusion. Cool! (120x70 cms., mixed technique @ 2,200 euro; 100x100 cms., @ 2,500 euro.) Until 20thNovember. www.rudolfv.nl
***
There was a "finnesage" at Punt WG (Van Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 15) for "Rooose" [sic] and that's all he wrote. Rooose is a conceptual sculptor that works with metal and keeps it simple. Very simple. An example is a two meter high staff with a five cms cross bar that sits atop. It is held by what looks like a small shovel that has been bent to provide a base support. His forms are all linear abstractions. Of the 10 pieces in the show, four have small glass or mirror attachments. Good work. www.rooose.eu

Hanging on the walls was the work of Helga Kos who does abstract/expressionistic work. In some cases there is a hint to reality as if the work could be a landscape. Two works in pastel and pencil have a nearly subliminal figures and a childlike flavor in the imagery. Sorry I missed the opening and if you did too, well, it's all over baby blue. www.helgakos.nl
***
Pala Salih is at De Levante (Hobbemastraat 28) with something very different. He constructs wooden boxes that when hung extend about 10 cms., from the wall. At the center of the form's surface he cuts a hole about 20x15 cms., and it is recessed thus creating a nook. Into the nook he arranges a coarse material or a small crunched canvas. The surface is painted in an expressionistic style, but he severally limits the colors to shades of white, gray and pale blue. (40x60 cms., @ 2,182 euro; 150x130 cms., @ 3,273 euro.)

Sharing the space is Safaa Khazal who uses the air brush technique to achieve a look of wrinkled fabric thus creating a distortion in the color of the fabric due to the refracted light and the fabric itself. Three are colorful and four are in b/w. Three of these combine the abstraction of the color distortion with another linear abstraction in contrasting b/w. (160x50 cms., air brush @ 700 euro; 160x110 cms., airbrush @ 1,400 euro.) Until __?__. www.delavante.org
***

WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Reminder: Always be alert for the (?) symbol because it indicates that the info may NOT be correct. The "*" indicates the same thing in reference to the time. Call ahead for verification. This is the weekly "3D List" disclaimer.

THURSDAY: 21st October, 2010
THURSDAY: 21st October, 2010

How odd...Nothing is happening...

FRIDAY: 22nd October
FRIDAY: 22nd October

13:30 Stedelijk Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 13). The "Gallery Talks" program continues and features Rachel Esner. She will give a tour of certain exhibits in the current show, now on display, at the museum. FREE + museum entry fee. RSVP: reservations@stedelijk.nl, More info: www.stedelijk.nl

17-19:00 Art Affairs (Veemkade 354). Simon Raab's "what comes together must come apart." Expect colorfully conceptual work. www.artaffairs.net, www.simonraabgallery.com

(?)17:30* Gallery Rademakers (Prinsengracht 572). Thom Boekhoven"'s "Voorbij de Stilter." www.galerierademakers.nl

17-19:00 Art-Inn (Servaes Noutsstraat 12). "Amsterdam Kleurencanon," by Mathilde uP, photography. www.mathilde.mup.nl

SATURDAY: 23rd October
SATURDAY: 23rd October

10-18:00 "foam" (Keizersgracht 609). GKf Festival. The Dutch Photographers Association is celebrating its 65th anniversary. They are hosting an international festival at "foam" on the theme, "The Value of Photography." "Admission free to photographers, photography students and anyone interested in photography." More info: www.gkf-festival.com

11:00 until 11:00 Sunday "Henk 24 Hours ADE [Amsterdam Dance Event] Festival (ITW-hall, NDSM-laan, Neveritaweg 1). It really is a "24 Hour" event which features a continuous showing of short videos and films for a total of 1,440 minutes...bring your own speed. The invite also says, "24 hours of electronic music, performance, art and much more." www.hollanddancefestival.com

16-18:00 Art A Casa (Kerkstraat 411). "Hout Met X Factor," by Monique van Stokkum, paintings plus assemblages on old wood. www.artacasa.nl

16-18:00 Gallery LWW (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 5). Ana Carvalho (Portugal), photography which she uses to "build an imaginary city full of imagination, fantasy and absurdity.." www.galerielww.nl

16-18:00 Galerie de Stoker (Witte de Withstraat 124). "fben-Leef je eens in in een stedeling...Maroesja bij Max." www.stoker.nl

17-19:00 Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries (Bilderdijkstraat 165c). Peter Vos, paintings. www.gerhardhofland.com

17-19:00 Galerie Paul Andriesse (Westerstraat 187). Henri Jacobs and Stephen Wilk with "Carrousel." www.paulandriesse.nl

17-19:00 Dom Polski (GGZ Building, Keizersgracht 174, second floor). "SAMEN," with Blanka Wasowicz and Rutger ten Broeke, photography. www.dompolski.nl

17-19:00 Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140). Shana Moulton with "The Castle of Secrets." In Playstation, Flurin Bisig's "The First Rendezvous." www.fonswelters.nl

17-19:00 Steendrukkerij Amsterdam (Lauriergracht 80). Alexander Lichtveld, "Lead & Pencil." www.steendrukkerij.com

17-19:00 A. Gellik Gallery (Laurierstraat 187). Sarah van Sonsbeeck, "Breaking the Silence." In The Bakery, David Malijkovic (Crotia). www.annetgelink.com

17-19:00 Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12). Annemarie van Gorkom and Mi-Ah Rödiger, new jewelry. www.galerierobkoudijs.nl

17-19:30 Gallery Gabriel Rolt (ELandgracht 34). Paul Haworth with "5." www.gabrielrolt.com

(?)17-19:00 Mart house Gallery (Prinsengracht 529). Jack W. Holden, paintings, videos and sculpture. www.marthousegallery.nl

(?) P/////AKT (Zeeburgerpad 53). Jean Bernard Koeman. www.pakt.nl

SUNDAY: 24th October
SUNDAY: 24th October

16-18:00 WALLS (Prinsengracht 737). "Multiple Choice," and indeed that's what you get...18 artists showing. www.walls.nl

16-18:00 "outLINE Amsterdam" (Oetewalserstraat 73). "A great exhibition of 20 painters connected with PRESENTeert, a pamphlet on painting 'challenging the myth of the painter.'" www.presenteert.wordpress.nl, www.outlineamsterdam.nl

WEDNESDAY: 27th October
WEDNESDAY: 27th October

17:30-22:00 Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam (Gashouder, Westergasfabriek). This is the preview night and admission is by invite only. You DO need the card. Contact a participating gallery that knows you and request one. The event is daily until the 30th October. There is also a discount card---two for the price of one---and it is available online: www.affordableartfair.nl

20:30 W139 (Warmoestraat 139). "Ginterdorfer/Klassen-LA JET SET." This could be interesting. "Jet Set" is composed of "Saga" and six other Ivorian immigrants living in a Paris suburb. "They examine the tension between European theatre and African street dance culture." In French with English translation. Entry: 9 euro. www.w139.nl

THURSDAY: 28th October
THURSDAY: 28th October

11-17:30 Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam (see Wednesday, 27th Oct)

10-17:00 & 19-21:00 Auctionhouse De Zwaan (Keizersgracht 474). Viewing days are until Sunday. For more info and the online catalog: www.dezwaan.nl

19:00 Schijnheilig (Passeesdersgracht 23). "A visual art exhibition 'Creative Cities, Artistic Towns & Fantastic Villages.'" No website on invite.

19:30 Stedelijk Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 13). The "Talking Film" program continues with Navid Nuur (Iran) that "takes [you] along on a visual excursion" with Bart Rutten. 5 euro + Museum entry. RSVP: reservations@stedelijk.nl, More info: www.stedelijk.nl
***

As always, much to do this week. Saturday is a normal very, very busy day. And the diversification of what is on show is almost overwhelming. All of it right here in good ol' surprising Amsterdam. You don't have to hop on a bus, Gus; nor take a plane, Jane, to see something you have never seen before. Suffice, Mike, the bike will get you there. And Dan the Man will greet you at the door. Floor. You just gotta DO IT! 3D told you so.

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould, Amsterdam, 2010