Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #53

Daniel Gould – vrijdag 24 augustus 2018, 05:08 uur

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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: https://bit.ly/2MOSmch; FACEBOOK: BeRM Collectief.
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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: http://www.virtualtourist.com/
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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.)
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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."
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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.
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A sign of the times...Gallery LL (Koninginneweg 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. https://bit.ly/2lYcw2M
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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!
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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 Klein 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.
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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/Baarsjesweg 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. https://bit.ly/2PDOysT
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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. https://bit.ly/2OD4CKP
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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 ??? http://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. https://bit.ly/2J3VcnE
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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. http://brandtgallery.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.) https://bit.ly/2uoD5Vh
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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. https://bit.ly/2uPJHMD
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Galerie BMB (Kerkstraat 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. https://bit.ly/2nu6PMr
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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. https://bit.ly/2MlNQlc
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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. https://bit.ly/2w8ocqX
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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. https://bit.ly/2B16Ukk
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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. http://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. https://bit.ly/2v9vxoX
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...And just across the street at PuntWG (M. van 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.