Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #57

Spring is here!!! Buds on the trees and the tulips in sight. Rebirth is what spring is all about. And that would be an excellent lead-in to the rebirth of the art market. But, I know, unemployment has now hit 6%; and the Netherlands is officially in recession once again. Ironic, because the art market has not recovered from the devastating effects of the 2007-2008 economic collapse.

What to do? The present government threw in the face of culture a double whammy: Heavy cuts in subsidies; and raised the tax on art, dance, music and theater from 6 to 19%. No wonder artist are thinking of selling apples. 3D suggest sell them a few that have been spiked with...whatever...and offered FREE of charge to the ruling coalition. WE WANT NEW ELECTIONS!!! Anyone want to disagree with that?

INDEX:

BITS & PIECES:

REVIEWS: Amsterdam Stadsarchves: In Memorium: The Deportation and Murder of Jewish, Roma and Sinti Children, 1942-1945.

Progress Report: Rijksmuseum, the Asian Pavilion

WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED:

BITS & PIECES:

Parliament, lead by Mark the Shark, is not getting the message: Austerity is counterproductive! The ruling government---are they really?---is now proposing an additional 15 billion euro cut in the budget...And what does that mean? Well, the total spending on research at university and technical colleges is expected to go down 10%. What foolishness! The Netherlands is one of the richest country's in the world even though it is devoid of natural resources save one, natural gas. The richness comes from Holland's ability to compete with the big boys on the international stage of high tech. That will be put into jeopardy. Out, out, Mark the shark. 
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...Want more? Joachim Fritz-Vannahmen, director of the European program at the research institute Bertelsmann Stiftung said, "The recognition is coming that austerity won't work, but how to get beyond austerity politics is completely unclear." 3D has been attacking this government's position on the need for austerity. Look what austerity has done for all those countries who willingly or were forced into such an economic program: "Spain and the UK economies are still 4% short of their pre-crisis peaks and Italy is nearly 5%; and the Greek and Irish economies are 10 to 15%." Common, guys, spare us the pain of austerity that will lead only to more pain. Are you all masochist? 
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...And more...Paul Krugman asserts in "Pain without gain" (www.nytimes.com) that the austerity movements of various countries does not work: Now the results are in----and they are exactly what three generations worth of economic analysis and all the lessons of history should have told you would hap[en. The confidence fairy has failed to show up; none of the countries slashing spending have seen the predicted private-sector surge. Instead, the depressing effect of fiscal austerity have been reinforced by falling private spending...Yet as as far as I can tell, austerity is still considered responsible and necessary despite its catastrophic failure in practice. The point is that could actually do a lot to help our economies simply by reversing the destructive austerity of the last two years." Hey, look what Mark-the-Sharks austerity plan has done for the Netherlands: Again, 6% unemployment; the country is now officially in recession; and, this year, the economy is to contract a further 0.9%. 
It is time that these guys WENT!
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The Stedelijk Museum, along with various art groups, continues the "Facing Forward #5: Future Museum " series this coming Thursday at 20-22:30. The lecture is at the Oude Lutherse Kerk (Spui 411). Tickets in advance @ 10 euro; at the door 12.50 euro. More info at: https://bit.ly/2NoEyST 
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Need a performance room or gallery space to rent? Check out De Brakke Grond (Nes 45). They are now offering space to help in their quest to survive the economic squeeze. See: www.brakkegrond.nl or contact via: verhuuur@brakkegrond.nl 
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The Super Bowl XLVI is a four hour TV extravaganza. This year features a half time program with Madonna, no less. But you paid for it all by sitting through commercial from 36 companies that advertised; some did so in each of the game four quarters. They paid $3.5 million dollars for conveying their 30 second message (that's $116,667/sec.). Most companies design commercials especially for the event and "premier" them the day of the game. But this year a few presented "sneak previews" via YouTube and FACEBOOK. "Volkswagen...had one of the favorite commercials last year...The company released a teaser for the sequel on January 18th on YouTube where is has already been viewed [at this writing] by 11 million times. More on this at: www.iht.com, 4th February, '12) "For fans of audacious TV ads, Super Bowl comes early," by S. Elliott.
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"The Many Faces of Cindy Sherman" is a review of MoMA's (NYC) exhibition of her work. It "shows [the] queen of self-portraits as a study in contradictions...A long essay on the person who continues to reinvent herself." The article can be viewed on line at: www.iht.com, 18th Feb. 2012. and is by Carol Vogel.
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On the 15th of February, the New Museum (NYC) opened its second-ever Triennial. And on the 1st of March, The Whitney Museum of American Art will open its 76th Biennial. From the article "A Survey of a Different Color," by Roberta Smith (www.NYTimes.com, (2/March/12), "The 2012 Biennial manages to reinvent the Whitney's signature show to offer some redemption for the out-of-control, money saturated art world." 
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3D reads the Int Herald Tribune from the first page to the last; including the classified ads. Here is one that got my attention: Under Friendships, "Ancient thinker and author of more than 75 books in 43 languages is seriously looking for a wife. The lady must be young or rich or very carrying or combination of these. Looks are not important as a sweet nature and intelligent . Send your leap year proposal of marriage to..." It is a London postbox.
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A restaurant non-review: An exhibition, mentioned below, is at the Restaurant Vermeer-NH Hotel (Prins Hendrijkkade 59). Always curious, 3D checked out the menu. What a surprise! Their raison d'etre is "fresh." But it is how they market "fresh" that is most interesting. Essentially, there are only three menu selections: Compagnon, "from the land," and Tasting. For compagnon it reads "a menu that combines our classics with developing dishes" and is priced at 80 euro. Here's what you get: 1. Lobster marinated in sea buckthron berries, pumpkin rolls and mousse, carrot and lobster sauce. 2. Skate wing. 3. Wild duck. 4. Apples and cinnamon. All selections have a mouth watering description. There is also a "wine pairing" that is 40 euro extra. 3D didn't eat there; not in my budget, but I did comment on both the limited menu and prices. The Maitre d'Hotel replied that it was a restaurant tailored for the "special night out." In keeping with the fresh theme, the restaurant is not opening on Sundays (the markets are closed). Monday through Saturday, 18:30to22:00. www.restaurantvermeer@nh-hotels.com 
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Job Cohen, the leader of the Labor Party---PvdA---has announced that he will step down and leave parliament. Pity! He was a true man of the people. 3D saw him only yesterday riding his bike along the street. He was frequently at Amsterdam cultural happenings when he was the mayor. His goal was to provide for a 'decent society.' 
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Boekie Woekie (Berenstraat 18) has posted a list of books which are now limited to one or more copies. The hand made books are priced from 10.50 to 29.50; and, one, "Eindhoven 1983" is 590 euro. https://bit.ly/2w8ocqX 
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"Blues Before Sunrise," by Brit Steve McQueen, an artist and filmmaker, will mount a Christo-like light extravaganza in Amsterdam's Vondel Park. He will replace something like 275 white lamps with blue colored lamps in the streetlight stands that light the park., "vividly transforming the night time experience of Amsterdam's most well known urban 'green space.'" See it from the 7th March until the 25th of March.The title, "Blues Before Sunrise," comes from a Blues standard written by American pianist Leroy Carr and performed by guitarist and singer Scrapper Blackwell. 
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Susan Sontag said: "A photograph can't coerce. It won't do the moral work for us. But it can start us on the way." 
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An Observation: "Mistakes are lodged like harpoons and fish hooks in an intelligent person's soul." This was said, anonymously, about Phil Ochs, an American political folk singer of the 60s. He was a suicide in 1976. 
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"The beauty of the printed book," by Alice Rawsthorn (www.iht.com, 13th Feb. '12) is a review of the current exhibition at the Special Collections department of the University of Amsterdam. "Drawn from the university's book collection, which is among the world's finest, the exhibition traces the evolution of book design through some of the most compelling designed books of the last 500 years." Until 13th., May. 
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"The Monster of Nix" is a 30 minute animated musical by "Rosto," of Studio Rusto, Amsterdam. It has been awarded the Best Original Film Score at the International Short Film Festival of which this is the 34th edition. www.rostoad.com, www.monsterofnix.com for info concerning screenings. 
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The artist Pablo Picasso surprised a burglar at work in his new chateau. The intruder got away, but Picasso told the police he could do a rough sketch of him. From the basis of the drawing, the police arrested a mother superior, the minister of finance, a washing machine and the Eiffel Tower." Hmmmmmmm. Thanks to Paul C. Funny? Yes, but 3D remembers a review, from 25 years ago, of an exhibition of drawings by Picasso at a London museum. They hung 26 drawings of the same woman, Drawing number one was a very detailed academic work. Each work that followed was more simple. And number 26 consisted of only a few lines but was to all observers still recognizable as the same woman. 
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For what it is worth. Google "Jim Linderman" who has three blogs spots dealing with "Vintage Sleaze" topics among others. A lot of info on things you never knew you were interested about.
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The Russian election is not far off. One of the candidates, running against Vladimir Putin, for president, is Mikhail Prohorov . When asked if an "Orange Revolution would happen in Russia he was aghast, 'I'am against any revolution because I know the history of Russia. Every time we have a revolution, it was a very bloody period. So I like a very fast evolution.'" 3D will drink to that! 
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Seen at the exhibition at SmartProjectSpace presented by "The Bruce Nauman Project." "In fifteen minutes everyone will be in the future." And you can count on that!.
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This from W.C. Fields, an American film comedian of the 30s and 40s. "If you want to make an audience laugh, you dress a man up like an old lady, then kick him down the stairs. If you want to make a comedian laugh, you kick a real old lady down the stairs." 
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REVIEWS:

At AmsterdamArchief (Vijzelstraat 32) is an exhibition titled, "In Memoriam: The Deportation and Murder of Jewish, Roma and Sinti children, 1942-1945." And the show is a smash hit as they say on Broadway. It has broken all previous attendance records for exhibitions at the new location of the Achieves. On Sunday, 19th February, the figure was 770 visitors. They have come to view the photographs of 3,000 children that are pictured on a 70 meter long table divided into four sections. What you will see are school photos, home pictures, groups photos with one or more children circled. You see happy, breathing and innocent kids who knew nothing of their coming fate. What will tug at your heartstrings will be reading the notations beneath the photo: Rolf Fred Löb, D. 276 Loosdrecht, 24.3.36, 20.3.43, Sobibor. He was a cute curly headed blond boy with a great smile and dead at six; Rebekaa Simmeren, Zuidediep 97 a Groningen, 20.7.30, 20,3.42, Sobibor. A very pretty girl with a vivacious smile. And it gets worse. There is the family of Van Praagh of Den Haag. They had four children: Helene, (13), Louis (11), and the twins, Leon and Maurtis (9). All perished on the 31st August 1942 at Auschwitz. The crowds come for a variety of reasons one of which is that they are looking at aunts and uncles that they never knew. 

A total of 19,000 children, under the age of 18, were deported from the Netherlands in a total of 102 transport all because they were Jewish, Roma (Gypsy) or Sinti (a tribe of the Roma). Just over 1,000 returned. And "the story of fifteen of the children is told...[and] there is a display of documents showing the children's names, the transport list and the x-cards of the Jewish council. The exhibition will make you smile as much as it will bring tears to your eyes. The photos are poignant for two reasons. One, you are saddened and you feel pity for the innocent. Two, the exhibition is "shapely perceptive." Finally, it is a beautiful show because you see the essence of humanity and its future: Its youth. 3D couldn't help thinking of Pretty Boy Gerrit's intention to send all the Muslim back home. Strangely enough, those same Muslims are like these children born and raised in the Netherlands; and all were and are 100% Dutch. When will we every learn? Until 20th May. https://bit.ly/1WeP2EC                      (N.B. There is a booklet, "In Memoriam" which consist of only names and dates for the children, It is FREE but you are invited to leave a donation.) 
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PROGRESS REVIEW: The Rijksmuseum, the Asian Art Collection.

The renovation of the Rijksmuseum is in its final stages with an expected opening the first half of 2013. Aside from the interior renovations and new constructions, a few new wings have been added. One is the Asian Wing which will exhibit the Museum's 7,000 piece collection of paintings, drawings, prints, objects and social objects in the 670 square meter space. The architectural firm Cruz en Ortiz, has designed a 21st century enclave within the late 19th century environment which is the Rijks. The space is on two levels and essentially comprised three large galleries. Built-in vitrine's will make it easy, efficient and money saving to change elements of the permanent exhibition at any time. The curator for East Asian Art, Meeno Fitski, said, "The wing is a museum within a museum." Does it work? Well, we don't know as of yet. We were shown the interior but only computer simulations of the exterior. What has been completed is the actual structure. Now, the landscaping begins. Can't wait to see the final results. 

The museum's collection includes a 2,000 piece loan from the Society of Friends---formed about 100 years ago---which consisted of a group of private Amsterdamer's who specialized in Asian art. It is the heart of the collection which includes over 2,700 Japanese prints. However, work of a Chinese origin, dominates the collection. Fitski added that at anyone time about 10% of the total collection will be on display. A phenomenal percentage for a museum.

So the ten years rebirth of the Rijks nears its conclusion. In 2007 everything shut down when the original contractors said, "We can't do it for the money we said we could do it for." A new project manager was appointed, He put everything back on track and is pleased to announce that he is coming in on budget which is 375 million euro. That works out to about 38 million euros a year. And wait until you see the interior of the original complex...WOW!!!! And that is said when it is still a work in progress.
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WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED; 

Lam de Wolf is once again at Galerie RA (Nes 120). She has been showing here forever; the first appearance was in 1980. And, the best part is: She is always doing the same thing, differently! When 3D mentioned this to her, she replied, "Yes!" In fact, the title of the one piece showing is "Endlessly similar yet not for a moment the same." A much more poetic way of saying it then 3D's humble phrasing. The one piece is part of a trip-tych, each measuring 80 cms., by 350 cms. She said what inspired the works was the land, sea and sky of Flemish Zeeland. All three are of the same synthetic material (a plastic coated textile) and "weaved." But, indeed each is totally different from the other. (Each @ 4,500 euro; the three @ 11,000 euro.) 

Showing also is Karin Herwegh with "Personal Tokens" and that really says it all. Her work is inspired by folk art and she makes small figures based on the customs and traditions of different cultures and periods. Some you wear and some you carry in your pocket like an amulet or lucky charm. The works are "cast in silver representing people or animals and their relationship to each other and the different ways in which this is shown." (Prices range from 160 to 820 euro.) Until 24th March. https://bit.ly/2NpE3Io 
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Galerie Roger Katwijk (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198) shows Vincent Hamel's monochromatic paintings. But before you say, "Ho-Hum...Seen it!"please note he does something differently. Each canvas has a different surface structure. Sometimes the stroke works looks like that of an impressionist; and sometimes that of an expressionist. There is a series of 18 "blocks." In fact, they look like they could be children's playing bricks. Each measures about 10x10x10 cms., and, again, monochromatic. (10x10x10 cms., acrylic on wood @ 150 euro; 30x30 cms., oil on panel @ 1,400 euro; 140x95 oil on canvas @ 5,400 euro.) Until 10th March. https://bit.ly/2Kr1deQ 
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Van Gogh makes a come back! And, 3D might add, reinvents himself. AT VERVERS (Hazenstraat 54) Koen Broucke takes Vincent's impressionistic style and makes it into a wild-man's representational expressionism. The work is an homage to Vincent and one of his masterworks "Starry, Starry Night" is easily recognizable as such, but with imagery that is both vague and very dark, but it's all there. The colors are not what you have come to expect from the master because Broucke tends towards the darken canvas,. There is also a series of sketches and, again, reminiscent of Van Gogh. Nice work. Footnote: Broucke took advantage of "The Vincent can Gogh Huis, Zundert" artist-in-residence program. Artist working in the style of Van Gogh are invited to live and work----in a modern atelier---for one month. It is the house where Van Gogh was born and has been preserved. (drawings 450 to 1,450 euro; 18x13 acrylic on canvas @ 700 euro; 40x50 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 2,400 euro; 68x80 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 3,200 euro.) Until 17th March. https://bit.ly/2mkqkqc 
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Kahmann Gallery offered a preview of an exhibition of an artist schedule for a retrospective show at the Rijksmuseum in early 2013. Willem Diepraam chronicled life whether it was in the Netherlands or distant places. Nearly all the work in this show is in b/w and the emphasis is on his portraits, architectural studies, nudes----sometimes naturally posed and at other times with a conceptual edge with their composition and lighting. His b/w work is as dramatic as that of an early American master Paul Strand. These photos reflect a man who saw beauty in just about everything like the degenerating brick wall with a drainage pipe dissecting it. Truly, a beautiful picture. (40x30 cms., vintage sliver print (1975) @ 2,850 euro; 50x60 cms., Ed 10 @ 2,500 euro; 60x90 cms., (1980) Ed. 10 @ 4,700 euro.) https://www.kahmanngallery.com/ 
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More photography can be seen at Galerie Vriend van Bavink (Geldersekade 58). Rogier Fokke is showing travel photography but with a difference. Most photographers working in the genre shoot in color, Fokke does b/w and it is very effective. He traveled to Asia and captured several aspects of the various countries' landscapes and even more dramatically the people. The countries are Korea, China (including the Gobi desert), the wastelands of Mongolia and the beauty of Vietnam. The people are herders, mothers, children, workers, et al that make for a society. (40x60 cms., framed @ 375 euro.) Until 3rd March. http://www.vriendvanbavink.nl/ 
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...And just next door to the above gallery is a new one: Gallery PR2 Art Podium Geldersekade 60. Diederik Vermeulen lives and works in Portugal. He is a contemporary impressionist and like the original group he likes to paint flora. But he covers all the seasons from the bright colors of Spring to the soft ochre Autumn hues. He also paints landscapes and seascapes and captures the angry skies with respect. (13x118 cms., oil @ 250 euro; 24x30 cms., oil @ 450 euro; 110x145 cms., oil @ 3,500 euro.) ...Also showing is Karin Voogd whose style also flavors the Impressionist. Her subject mater includes flowers, gardens, and landscapes. All the work has a sketchiness that distinguished it from the mundane. (30x30 cms., @ 600; 50x40 cms., @ 1,800 euro; 60x50 cms., @ 2,500 euro.) Until 11th March. http://www.gallery-pr2.eu/ 
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Erik-Jan Vaandering is a representational artist who uses the broad sweeping strokes of an expressionist. His subject matter is the city of Amsterdam. Scenes of the city and its boats. There is a reminiscent feel for the Den Haagse School of the late 19th century in that he does not rely heavily on color to tell the story. (30x30 cms., oil on canvas @ 480 euro; 135x130 cms., oil on canvas @ 3,600 euro.) The work hangs in the Vermeer Restaurant-NH Hotel (Prins Hendrikkade 59). It is organized by Boo Art (www.booart.nl) that has arrangements with several sites in Holland for which they organize art exhibitions. 
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A group show of three artists is featured at "gallery 9" (Keizersgracht 552). Coen Vernooij takes brass rods and cuts them into short 10 to 40 cms., segments then welds them into a linear rectangular geometric form. The results are simple and elegant. There is also a strange sense of infinity that is conveyed. (30x15.5x6.5 @ 900 euro; 40x30x11 cms., @ 975.)....Eeef de Graff makes cardboard reliefs that reflect construction pieces by Jan Schoonhoven, but with some color. But even that is kept to the minimal: Black and red; white/gray/black. The redundant forms are dimensional and project from the wall. (25x25 cms., @ 500 euro; 52x52 cms,., @ 2,600 euro.)...Martijn Duifhuizen does monochromatic canvases and 3D would refer you back a few reviews to another monochromatic artist that was reviewed. I made the comment "Ho, hum. Seen it!" But once again, "No you have not!" One all black painting is structured like a linear grill given it a clean style and depth. A small work stops you cold. Make you really look at it. Something is happening that just isn't obvious between the gold leafed frame and the black valour's backing. See if you can figure it out. (100x100 cms., acrylic paint on canvas @ 1,900 euro; 60x90 cms., oil paint on cotton @ 2,700 euro.) Until 17th March. https://bit.ly/2O2dGJ6 
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Hmmm, hate to write negative reviews, but sometimes it is necessary. At CBK-Amsterdam (Oranje-Vrijstaatkade 71) there is a large group show, but the "curators" are ten people who live in the neighborhood. They selected pieces from CBK's library of work available for rental. And it is a very good show with noted artist like the motion painter Jan Ros (you can rent it for only 25 euro/month) or Angéle Etonndi Essamba a beautiful b/w photo that's available at an amazingly cheap 10 euro/month. Unfortunately, it is not possible to site others artist by name because there are NO name tags. There is a list, but it wasn't easily available. And if you want more, look in the vitrines at the jewelry selection. Necklaces by Germaine Prince Halszaken can be had for 60 to 100 euro. Kid you not! Until 21st April. www.cbkamsterdam.nl Also, check out their web-site for their concert and lecture program. 
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"C&H art space" (2e Kostverlorenkade 50) has a show that's is unusual in that at first you think it is for two artist: a photographer and a sculptor. The colored photos are slightly out of focus and most look like decrepit blockhouses or other utilitarian structures. The forms are all very simple. And all are located around Milan, Italy. Then you look at elegant rectangular limestone carvings and immediately see that they balance with the photos. It is almost mysterious. The Sicilian limestone carvings all measure about the same: 23x38x20 cms. Now, what is it that brings the photos and sculpture work together? The artist Angelo Barone (Italy), he is responsible for both. Nice! (115x95 cms., digital photo on cotton paper @ 2,500 euro; 23x38x20 Sicilian limestone @ 3,500 euro.) Until 24th March. http://ch-gallery.com/ 
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A group show is the featured event at Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraaat 140). In the entrance gallery there is the work of Zilvinas Landzbergas (Lithuania) who has a real attention getting installation. It measures 260x60x700 cms., and consist of a desk, shelves and "trees." Well, parts of tree. That is, he carves into the tree trunks forms like hands, birds, letters from the alphabet as well as imagery which is more conceptual. But the standout section is a the wooden desk on which sit several "books" all of wood. But none are carved from one block of wood; each have an individual wooded cover. The installation is priced at 10,000 euro and worth every penny...Also, on show, are the paintings of Claire Harvey (UK). 3D first saw her work at the open ateliers at Rijksacademie a few years back. I was instantly taken by her paintings in b/w and shades of gray. Absolutely NO color. She has evolved, but the good news is she is still doing the same thing but with different nuances. Love the cowboy collage/drawing where he is twirling his lasso. (29.3x21 cms., oil on plastic sheet, cardboard and rope @ 1,500 euro.)...Tom Claassen presents two monumental free form plaster and steel objects. They are large but Classen assured me that two or three people can manage moving them since the interior core is Styrofoam. (Available as a set @ 18,000 euro; or each for 10,000 euro.) ...Maria Roosen does something completely different. She has taken the trunks of Birch trees and attached glass fungus-like objects to them. It works beautifully. (3,000 to 17,000 euro.)...And there's more. Until ____?____. https://bit.ly/2NOPpoX 
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Dick Kreuger is an architect that paints as well. Maybe its his wearing of two hats that makes his work taxing to describe. He hangs several small oils at Smith + Vissers Galerie (Noorderdwarsstraat 7). Sometimes the work is almost representational and sometimes expressionistic and at other times somewhere in between. And the marvel is that he achieves these illusions in miniature since nearly all measure 15x8 cms. He cleverly frames the works with a reproduction frame reminiscent of the 18th and 19th century designs. There is also a series of drawings which are both very simple but very detailed. Some pieces have a Japanese quality. SIX RED DOTS at opening. (drawings @ 90 euro; trip-tych @ 180 euro; 15x8 cms., mixed media, inclusive frame @ 320 euro.) Until 17th March. https://bit.ly/2OVDLt0 
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Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843) shows Marianne Roodenburg who paints architectural and landscape compositions. The architecture consist of plain apartment buildings in the background; in the foreground is flora made from colored fabric. (30x30 cms., @ 720 euro; 100x120 cms., @ 2,650 euro.) ...Marliturion is back with her iconic sort of pointillist style paintings. Most are portraits where the imagery is sometimes nearly subliminal. In all her work there is a sense of mystery. (15x10 cms., @ 300 euro; 90x70 cms., @ 1,920 euro.)...Paul Nassenstein uses gouache to create whimsical and quirky work that resemble comic strips; sometimes with much humor and sometime just ironic. (31x24 cms., @ 675; 100x140 cms., @ 3,750 euro.) Until 24th March. https://bit.ly/2J3VcnE 
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Thesi Geesink is at Galerie Pien Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570) and likes the way that natures takes its course. She is drawn to signs and subject matter---think walls---that have been exposed to the elements; and she demonstrates that there is beauty in decay. But what you see is better described as abstract expressionism...But the "artist" is nature. FIVE RED DOTS.(130x130 cms., photo, Ed. 7 Liquid Gloss @ 3,950 euro; 130x130 cms., photo/back lit, Ed 7 @ 4,500 euro.) Until 18th March. https://bit.ly/2JvtSz2 
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De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) is showing the work of Vincent McGourty and the question is: What to make of his work? There is a series of drawings that are anatomical in concept but done with the hand of an expressionist. Then there are the ceramic objects which are more often than not non-decrypt. And more...There are pieces where both drawings and ceramic merge. If that wasn't enough, there are conceptual pieces that will make you wonder and scratch your head; and one that pays homage to Marcel Duchamp. Something for everyone. (950 to 1,800 euro.) Until 1st April. https://bit.ly/2NSLxnD 
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"Friendship and other mishaps" is the title for a group show at "R&R: reuten galerie amsterdam" (Prinsengracth 534). But there is no apparent visual theme other than the abstract title. But that's okay because everything is interesting! Lynne Leegte carves "books" and "letters" from marble. You really feel the need to touch the objects to convince yourself that you are not looking at paper objects. (1,600 to 5,500 euro.)...Milousska Bokman photographs pairs of people sometimes in a whimsical way and sometimes sentimentally. (80x100 cms., photograph, Ed 6, @ 2,400 euro; 175x125 cms., photograph, Ed 2 @ 3,200 euro.)...Barbara Polderman makes drawings an collages. But it is her installation---made from fabric---that will get your attention. It hangs from the ceiling and is attached to the wall. A "sculpture" of two people also done in fabric is captivating. (750 to 7,800 euro.) Until 3rd April. 
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Moica Nouwens is one of two artists showing at Ron Mandos Galerie (Prinsengracht 282). She snaps photos in natural light and more often than not at night. They appear to be spontaneous, no posing. Many are portraits. (50x70 cms., Lambda print, frames Ed. 5 @ 1,300 euro.) ...Sofie Knijff is the other artist and she is also a photographer that specializes in portraits of ethnic children. She uses a black background to shot against. The children are in a natural pose, no smiles, no mugging for the camera. In addition, there are three desert photos which are stark in their reality. (80x53 cm.,, photograph[ph, Ed 8 @ 2,500 euro; 149x100 cms., photo, Ed 8 @ 4,500 euro.) ...Nearly forgot. There is a video by Berni Searle which is captivating in its simplicity. We watch paper burring and it is truly simple but somehow dramatic. (6 min., DVD Ed 5 @ 9,800 euro.) Until _____ https://bit.ly/1NONWvU 
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Well, the sign is still on the door that reads: Van Krimpen is Back in Town (Hazenstraat 20). Perhaps it is the name of the gallery. No matter! Satijn Panyigay is an unusual photographer in that there is no one style. On entering the gallery, and immediately to your right, is a very colorful and detailed photo of a flower; dew drops and all. The camera has captured every detail. Then there is a photo of a wall where the shelving has been removed leaving a gray imagery that is abstract and framed by other items in the composition. A stack of pillows is the subject mater of another piece and becomes and geometric abstraction. A poignant self-portrait is stark and melancholy. (60x90 cms., Lambda print on dibond @ 1,350; 100x150 cms., Lambda print on dibond @ 2,350 euro; no mention of any edition.) Until ___?___. https://bit.ly/2PNirqP 
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Luka Kurashvili (Georgia) is showing large poster-like portraits at TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248) and all are former world leaders that for the most part are now considered infamous: Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Osama bin Laden, etc. Then there are the others: Bush and Castro. There is also a large painting that features the final agonizing moments of the World Trade Center (NYC) . Both towers are afire and people falling through the air. The subject matter almost distracts you from the painting technique. Basically, It resembles the Soviet reality school technique in that the are not the well defined but all a very colorful. (120x120 cms., oil on canvas @ 3,200 euro; 180x180 cms., oil on canvas @ 5,500 euro.) 7th April. https://bit.ly/2ux13gg 
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"APPELS gallery," (not to be confused with De Appel Art Centre) and located at Brouwersgracht 151, has a group show for their inaugural exhibition. Kim D. Bots (NL) does representational paintings that reflect both the impressionistic and expressionistic schools. There is a chaotic abstract in many pieces. And nearly undefinable are the human figures that are featured in the composition. (18x13 cms., @ 100 euro; 24x19 cms., @ 200 euro; 120x100 cms., @ 1,050.)...Raquel van Haver (Columbia) takes the technique and style of Vincent Van Gogh and exaggerates it. Heavy on the oil paint and the fact that they are portraits is nearly lost giving each work a sense of mystery. Each requires an effort on the part of the viewer. (48x33 cms., @ 550 euro; 155x118 cms., @ 1,950 euro.)....Jeppe Lauge (Denmark) paintngs are like an explosion of color. It is not that he uses a lot of color but in the way he uses it. Each of the three large works has figures but they are nearly subliminal in the composition since they blend in with the expressionistic background so harmoniously. The gallery was packed so it was difficult to get a true feeling for the work since they require a distance. (190x170 cms., @ 4,000 euro.) ...In the back of the gallery there is a two wall collage of nearly thirty artists. Several styles are represented. (200 to 1,600 euro.) FOUR RED DOTS at opening. Until 25th March. http://www.appelsgallery.nl/ 
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A New York artist, Davina Semo, exhibits at Galerie Gabriel Rolt. Basically her style is conceptual redundancy which is taking a particular subject or image and repeating it over and over. But she does it differently. Working on mirrors, she creates a continuous diamond pattern by adds tension by not always completing the individual patterns. In another piece, she lined up a series of chain-links, simple. But the piece that may get your attention is a thick plate of industrial laminated glass---veined with wire---that hangs from the ceiling at the middle of the gallery space. But the tension comes from a couple of very strong heavy hammer blows that has badly marred the surface...Destructive art?...Well, it works. SIX RED DOTS at opening. (11.4x5.7 cms., prism, enamel @ 1,000 euro; 91.4x91.4 cms., mirror enamel @ 3,000 euro; 4 panels, each at 91.4x91.4 cms., etched one-way mirror, enamel paint @ 11,000 euro.) 31st March. https://bit.ly/2nFBTck 
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Art Stable (Fokke Simonszstraat 73) hangs the work of Jan van den Brink who has taken a page from both Karel Willink and M.C. Escher. His technique is Willink and the style reflects him as well. The Escher part is in the whimsical forms and geometric abstraction that are often almost incidental to the composition. Overall, the paintings are very colorful but in a subdued way. As to subject matter, well that's difficult to pin down since any one work has architectural elements mixed with fantasy. (60x70 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,750 euro; 80x80 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,250 euro; 90x120 cms.m oil on canvas @ 3,950 euro.) Until 15th April. https://bit.ly/2Lso1vi 
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STORM Gallery is back in action at a new location at De Baerlestraat 154. No longer do they have the wall space as they did at their previous location, but that's a plus. A plus because they have taken the best from their stable to hang in the new and smaller location. They are also showing artists that they have not hung previously. You will see several works by Peter Klashorst who hangs work from 2011. Basically it consists of his mixed media portraits. (70x90 cms., Gyclee Prints Ed. 5 @ 300 euro; 75x60 cms., mixed-media on canvas @ 750 euro.)....Irma Kuyper shows wood objects that are very colorful and conceptual in nature. (50x15 cms., @ 185 euro; 60x155x8 cms @ 2,400 euro.)...Hella Maas exhibits realistic still lifes. (60x80 cms., oil on panel @ 1,600 euro.)...Theo Schouten makes dimensional geo/abstract cut out "paintings." (80x60 cms., @ 495 euro)...Monica Maat does geometric abstract oils on canvas that are very colorful. (80x100 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,850 euro.) Special grand opening, Driejarig Bestaan, on the 16th March, Friday, from 20-22:00. There will be entertainment: DJs E.T. and RDT; saxofonist Frank Kylstra; Dichters/Actrice Lineke La Faille; Jazztrompettist Machier Scholder.. http://www.stormgalerie.nl/
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Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12) presented a group show as the first exhibition of the new year. It could not have been a better overview of "new jewelry" and the artists/designers that show at the gallery. The material used ranged from: wood, cardboard, plastic, silver, gold, pearls, glass, rhinestones and even photography adapted to wear. The styles included the traditional to the kitsch and with everything in between. A total of 15 artists. Prices range from 60 to 6,000 euro. Until __???___. 
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Gerhard Hofland (Bilderdijkstraat 165) has a group show of four artists. Jan van der Ploeg---who does walls---has mounted a simple geometric abstract design on four walls and there is a spatial separation of 20 or so meters. It is in gold and gets your attention. And there is a piece d'resistance. A smaller version the geo/abst design and painted on paper in red and white hangs against one of the walls. The wall design is basically wall paper with each section measuring 90x110 cms., and is available at 50 euro each. The edition is 250 of which 60 of the total edition have been used. In other words you can do your own wall...Klass Kloosterboer does an installation consisting of six pieces. Two are minimal works and hang on the wall; each are about three by three meters and have a cut-out circle extracted from the middle. The two circles have been draped over two commercial packaged cardboard boxes, one for a key board and the other a guitar. (121x188 cms., six pieces @ 9,800 euro.) ...Gritz Bornstück does something completely different. In fact, you get two paintings for the price of one. Hey, that ain't bad! What he does is to paint a large canvas with sort of a impressionistic linear design then cut out a rectangular center and insert a separate work which is more impressionistic in style. (200x150 cms., oil on canvas @ 6,700 euro.)...Simon Hemmer mixes styles. One large canvas is representational but only to a point because impressionism and expressionism techniques are included and she adds another contrast with geometric abstraction of a big nose. (220x155 cms., @ 12,600 euro.). Until 24th March. http://gerhardhofland.com/en/ 
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Cows, cows and more cows with several birds thrown in for good measure. Fonny van Raaijen paints the cows on old wood for the most part. The show at ArtACasa (Kerkstraat 411) hangs the old wood paintings which give them depth and contrast which converts what you might describe as banal into something special. (5x5 cms., oil on wood @ 28 euro; 10x10 cms., oil on wood @ 120 euro; 90x70 cms., oil on wood @ 990 euro.)...Babara Wichers Hoeth does a bird series and it is presented in a variety of techniques and a few unexpected styles. There are acrylic paintings on wood; etchings; colored etching. Her style overall is representational. (Etch, Ed. 100 @ 195 euro.) Until 5th March. https://bit.ly/2JL0Mff 
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Astrid Verhoef is at "galerie LLW" (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 5) with her photographic work that shows she has a funny bone. Her sense of humor comes across in these posed photos. A young boy in a field---during a mild weather period---with a pair of ice skates. A woman sort of standing in front of a bed in a open field marking off the passing days against the sky. The technique is excellent and the style innovative. The photographs were inspired by the writer Bernard Wesseling and his book Portret van een Onaangepaste.(67x93 cms., @ 1,150; 55x80 cms., back-lit @ 1,500 euro.) THREE RED DOTS. Until 25th February. https://bit.ly/2LSAL2G 
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At Van Zijll Langhout (Bloemgracht 161) is the work of Marike Schuurman who exhibits her photographic work which is all about technique. That is she is interested on the way "light" reacts through the lens of a camera. How often have you taken a photo where---for some reason---a bright light or camera flash dominated the composition? Schuurman turns the effect into an art work. A large body of her photography work is with Polaroid. (53x80 cms., Photo, Ed. 5 @ 1,750 euro.) Until 30th March. https://bit.ly/2m7l7Sk 
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The last show at A-Gallery (Konijnenstraat 16) was rewarding. Rick Keijzer works in metal and "makes" steel and iron objects. For the most part, he does little or nothing. That is, he finds well rusted metal pieces that sometimes still have hinges attached. Some pieces he grinds off the rust at one section and leaves the rest au natural. There is a series where a 9mm pistol was used to "insert holes" in the surface of the metal and to very good dramatic effect. The piece d'resistance stands alone in the front galley. It is a human "skeleton-like" iron work that stands about 250 cms., high. In a sense, it pays homage to Giacometti's figures. The price? An amazing 1,200 euro. (9.5x15 cms., rusted steel @ 150 euro; 30x20.5 cms., rust ed metal, gold leaf @ 300 euro; 83x30 cms., rusted steel @ 700 euro.) Sorry, the show closed 12th February. More info at: http://www.rickkeijzer.com/          or contact: rick@keijzerrijk.nl 
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At BMB (Kerkstraat 127) is a group show of seven artists. 3D will describe the work of four. Annina Thomann (Swiss) does ceramic pieces that look like creatures from another world. There are sort of free form and whimsical. She sometimes adds a touch of red, but the color is perceived more than seen. Small Delft Blue-like porcelain tiles are also on display. (15x15 cms., 40 to 80 euro.)...Yvon Trossel (Germany) works in glass and the results resemble American carnival glass from the early part of the 20th century. The forms often resemble small animals of some sort. (75 to 465 euro.)...Marijke Vijfhuizen has a thematic series of figurative objects? Sculpture? that 3D likes. She has used the same form about forty-four times; but in various sizes and with different material and a variety of thicknesses. It is a type of conceptual redundancy done differently. She had, THREE RED DOTS ((95 to 3,950 euro.)...Anna Eijsbouts shows two videos of animation; neither have dialog but sound effects and a musical score is included. Both a very short stories and are easy to follow. The colors, lighting and puppets are very well made. (DVD @ 10 euro.) Until 24th March. https://bit.ly/2nu6PMr 
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Les vacances de, is the title of Monsieur Grunberg's exhibition at "foam." Well, this is different! You begin your tour in a bedroom. The bedroom is from the Hilton Hotel and includes a double bed, rug and cabinet. The very one that was used to interview people who responded to an offer by Aaron Grunberg, a novelist, There is a video in which we experience the interviews. The project was to take a family on one of his holidays and they would document it with their camera. In addition, those not selected were invited to submit their holidays photos for the possibility to be included; and indeed the walls are covered with examples of their work. The visual artist Wendel Hubrecht contributed to the concept. The latter did most of the photography but all families were provided with disposable cameras to take pictures of themselves. So what can you expect to see? You get both professional work and the amateurs. Until 18th March. https://bit.ly/2Lavlwl 
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That's all folks. Tune in again for more fun on the Amsterdam art trail. See wonders that you never thought possible...Experience untold stories through the eye of an artist...Reflect, wonder, stare, and even bitch if you like...But just remember you are in one of the great cities of the world for ART. Surprising and beautiful AMSTERDAM.

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