Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #59

3D predicted that the present Dutch government wouldn't last a year...Didn't get it exactly right since it took a few more months to make it happen. Ironically, what brought it down was Pretty-Boy Gerrit's---the one with all the hair and the big mouth---stand against further cuts in the country's budget. Who would ever think it! Maybe he had read, last week, that the the UK has slipped into its second recession. Austerity just doesn't work! Bring back the cultural subsidies; cut the BTW 19% tax to 6%. Simple, guys. But, please do it! 

Other than that, red dots are still few and far between. Once in a while a gallery hits the jackpot, but 3D hasn't heard many bells ringing. But wait...One gallery had 21 RED DOTS at their opening, at another 10 and one with NINE...Maybe things are looking up. Do your part: BUY ART!!! And do it today. 

INDEX:

Bits and Pieces: 

Review: Lloyds Hotel Dance Benefit What You Have Missed: 

What You Have Missed:

BITS & PIECES: 

The artist Andrew Masullo said, "At one point, I realized this thing called art was not about representation. It was about seeing the world in a different kind of way." From "Out from behind the canvas," by C. King (www.iht.com. 28th March '12). He is showing 34 works at the Whitney Biennial. 
*** 
A new photography fair for Amsterdam has been announced. "Unseen: Photo Fair with a Festival Flair" will be held from 19th to 23rd September at the Westergasfabriek. It is a joint venture of "foam," Platform A and Vandejong. As of now, 20 galleries from eight countries have said they would show. http://www.unseenamsterdam.com/
 *** 
The International Art Market in 2011: Observations of the Art Trade Over 25 Years has reported that "China's share of the global art market rose from 23% in 2010 to 30% [in 2011], pushing the US, with 29%, into second place." The good ol' USofA continues its downward slide even in this category.
 ***
 More on the Stedelijk's new wing...Amsterdam's design studio Inside Outside has created a monumental textile-based work for the new wing's entrance hall. It will cover 200 square meters. The Dutch carpet manufacturer Desso is doing the weave. 
*** 
Last year, 395 museums where built across China and another 600+ are being built or in the planning stage. See: "China unfurls its modern art," J. Perlez (www.iht.com., 25th April)....And Holland is cutting cultural subsidies...For shame! 
*** 
What's the smallest country in the world? Now you are trying to decide if it is San Marino, Andorra or the Vatican City. ALL are the WRONG answer. It is the "Knight's of Malta's" two acre (less than one hecter) site in Rome, near the Spanish Steps. 
***
Humor over rising gasoline prices: "I got robbed today at Shell. I called the cops, and they asked if I knew who did it? I said, 'Yeah, pump #6.'"
 ***
 "A techno turn for a furniture mecca" by Alice Rawsthorn (www.iht.com, 16th April) is a review of Milan's Furniture and Design Show. The article emphasis is on 3D printing and what it means to the future of both design and production. Rawsthorn's report on the Milan Furniture Fair continued in the Int Herald Tribune, Monday, 23rd April edition.
 *** 
On Language: Remember the film Mary Poppins? Poppins teaches the children, in her care, a nonsense word: supercalifragilisticexpialidocius. Well, that 34 letter word, with 14 syllables, is now considered by two dictionaries, Random House Dictionary (1966 edition) and The Oxford English Dictionary, as a real word even though it has NO meaning. Before that, the longest word was said to be antidisestablishmentarianism which is only 27 letters long. When I was in high school, a friend told me that that was the biggest word in the dictionary. I looked it up, but couldn't find it. A few years back, in the same Language column, of the Int. Herald Tribune, Monday edition, there was an article about it. I again looked it up in the dictionary and was not able to find it. Then I deleted the prefix "anti" and there is was. So I decided that according to the definition I could add the prefix "neo" and increase it to 30 letters. But it's still number two. Damn...back to the drawing board.
 ***
 "My son, at 16, asked me when he would be old enough to do as he pleased. I told him nobody has ever lived that long." Now where did I see that? My own son, screamed at me, when he was 15, "I want to be free!!!" I replied, "Then pack your bags and move to a desert island...ALONE!"
 *** 
The French chef Fernand Point (mid 20th century master cook) has this to say: "Success is the sum of a lot of small things correctly done." How true. Think of that the next time you fly on a plane. His most famous bon mote was: "Butter! Give us butter! Always butter!" Amen! There should be a law against oleo-margarine. He is also credited with creating the greatest dessert ever: Point's Marjolain. Can't say I have eaten it.
 *** 
3D saw this somewhere: "How times have changed. In the good old days, a person could live beyond his means for half of what it cost now." Huh?
 *** 
Laser 3.14 says: "Fuck This Cage, I 'm Out of Here." And on the same board: "Political Correct Fascism and the Boredom Prance." [sic] Huh? Both at Elandstraat 97-111. Also, "We Need to Talk About Hardin." (Frans Halstraat 32.) Who the hell is Hardin? Perhaps it is a message for his present love.
 ***
 Big crowds are still the norm at the Stadsarchief Amsterdam (Vijzelstraat 32) where over 12,000 people have seen In Memoriam, de gedeporteerde en vermooorde Joodse, Roma en Sinti kinderen 1942-1945. You still have until the 20th of May to see this tear-jerkier of an exhibition of children's photos; and it is all the more poignant when you realize that none of them lived to see their 18th birthday. https://bit.ly/1WeP2EC 
*** 

REVIEW:

 Leine Roebana: A Dance Company:

With austerity upon us, and its devastating attack on the arts and other cultural institutions---whether involved in art, music, dance, theater, et all---are fighting for their existence. Subsidy cuts of up to 25% have meant a limited program and, in some cases, the elimination of programs, performance and other initiatives. And other groups are threatened with even their existence. Most are fighting back by lobbying parliament to go easy; others are looking for alternative means of support. Leine Roebana, an avant-garde dance company, offered both a program and dinner, last January, at the Lloyds Hotel to raise needed funds. 

We were welcomed by a chorus of nine people with an accompaniment of an harpsichord player who entertained us with a short revue of songs ranging from Elvis's Love Me Tender to Lisa's Come to the Cabaret. Afterwards, everyone was "color coded." That is, we were arranged into a group of ten people and wore a colored ribbon around our neck. We were assigned a guide who would take us through the sometimes confusing hallways and floors of the Lloyds Hotel. There would be a total of ten performances. 

My group, with green ribbons, were led to an attic room where we saw woman on a swing, swinging. She suddenly jumped off the swing and projected herself prone on the floor; a clarinet player provided the sounds. We never really saw her face up to this point. Long blond hair covered it and her moves were minimal enough so that not a strand of hair moved until, at one point, her golden locks opened like a stage curtain to reveal her face. The dance then became very animated....A film followed titled E Pur Si Muovo (1997). It began with a diva singing an aria and led into two dancer---male and female---performing an avant-garde number.

Next we were ushered into a beautiful room with an almost  cathedral-like ceiling for a violin performance. Shortly, a man entered the room and began a dance routine. His movements ranged from the graceful movements of a ballet dancer to the gyrations of a spastic robot. His finish was a "hand dance." That is, he left the room as he had come, but once outside of the door, he extended his arm into the space and did the "hand dance." I guess that was the encoré. Cool! 

After that, we were taken into another attic room. A man entered an announced he would do a 13 minute reading in Dutch. And there were visuals. At one point he pulled up a child's chair and removed from two maroon pouches a pair of black leather shoes while he continued the dialog. Not sure what he was talking about, but he said it well and with body inflections it held my attention.

Well, you have heard of toilet humor; some American movies specialize in it. But what do you know about a "toilet dance performance" with music? The sounds were 40s be-bop, but the man was singing from one of the toilets; the door was closed. During his warbling, a woman sat at a low table tending to a box of green grass. At one point, the woman left her seat, the man left the toilet and they began a dance routine. During the performance, the female told a ribald story. At a certain point another man, clothed in a white cotton robe and a white towel wrapped around his head, peaked out from the shower, which was on and running, looking very perplexed and with an expression that asked "What the hell is going on?" Fun!

We then entered a small bedroom and was greeted by a tall woman holding an erect double bass. She was soon replaced by a man who began to play the instrument. The woman then went into her dance number. At one point, she removed her 20 cms., high stiletto high-heels shoes (3D measured them) and her dance became more intense, in fact, nearly like the gyrations of a dervish and the music played on. Her heavy breathing and gasp for breath became and added embellishment to the fiddler. At one point, she approach the bass and seemed to copulate with it and its bow acted as a stimulant. 

The next event was in a semi-dark room. A man was sitting on a bed covered with a quilt. He proceeded to tell a story. It was one of meeting and parting and under the title The Last Time We Met. During the monologue there was, quietly, in the background, a bell tolling. The "conversation" was metaphysical, introspective and the text had the rhythm of a finely crafted song. He told of 13 meetings; and each reflected a different emotion with the final one bringing them together. 

The next performance was done in a hall way. Everyone was lined up against a wall and we were facing a cello player. Shortly, she was joined by a soloist singing an aria. She was followed by a male dancer on stilts and standing perhaps three plus meters high. 

For the finale performance, we entered a room with a grand piano sitting under a chandelier. The piano player began to play and, shortly, three women appeared from an above balcony. The music was atonal and the dancing was energized. Each dancer did a solo routine which lead into the three of them performing in unison's. Their set was followed by a male dancer who performed bare footed and bare chested. He had moves that would have tied a contortionist into knots. 

The performances consumed three solid hours and there was never a dull moment. What made the day so special was that we were not watching people perform on a stage, in a theater, but in the intimacy of small rooms and, at times, we shared the stage with them. It was an experience that one could not equal in a theater. And it wasn't over yet!

Dinner was next. We all adjourned to a dining room and took our seats. A man sang If Food be the Food of Love, which certainly was appropriate as we partook of our first course, an appetizer of a very good mozzarella cheese on a tomato slices. And as we ate, one of the dancers, performed a dance with a running dialog and she was assisted by a man. This was followed by a trio consisting of a violinist, cellist and harpsichordist. 

The dinner entree was a rib eye steak---done medium rare---turnips, mashed potatoes and french fries. There was also a cream sauce for the beef. The wine was Tarantino Primitive, 2006 (Italian). The dessert was a chocolate torte cake. Yummy. 

...And there was more. The closing---or encoré--- was a presentation of song, music and dance by the various participants. The sounds were avant-garde with a guitarist, playing a dual-bridged guitar, as an accompaniment. Seven dancers showed their legs in a conceptual number. The evening concluded with a "dance lesson" for the assembled crowd and a sing-a-long. 

All this---performances, music and food---was offered for a donation of 150 euro. And when you consider what you got for the money---not to mention the cause you were donating it to---it was a great deal and a memorable experience. Maybe there is something to austerity to like if the needs it has produced create initiatives like the one offered by Leine Roebana; and with a little help from their friends at the Lloyd Hotel. Oh, nearly forgot, the theme for the day was: "Get close & please stay close." http://www.leineroebana.com/
 *** 

WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED...But there is still time, maybe: 

Gallery Clement (Prinsengracht 834) is showing three artists in a well balanced exhibition of styles. Ma Hui is back. 3D has been admiring her work for over 25 years. At the beginning, most work was generally etchings. But, over the years, she had evolved into other areas like collages, washes/drawings and conceptual works. However, one thing that has been consistent is the fact that she likes b/w and sometimes red. This present show is another stage in her development. The work is even more simple than previously; and nearly everything is a black wash and without color. A few have collage elements using wire or thread (30x30 cms., mixed-media @ 600 euro.)...Maartje Blans cuts out rather complicated abstract forms and using dress maker sewing pins she mounts them on canvas but the forms are extended about two plus cms., from the canvas surface. (25x25 cms., mixed media @ 630 euro; 163x110x10 cms., mixed media, wood, panel @ 7,000 euro.)...Toon Janssen makes construction pieces from wood and cardboard. In a few examples, there is somethings that reflect Gerrit Rietveld's linear work in wood---furniture and chairs. Then there is a series of solid blocks of wood that have had deep grooves cut into the body of the piece and this results in a linear geometric abstract design. (700 to 1,650 euro.) Until 28th April. https://bit.ly/2J3VcnE
 *** 
March Lagrange is showing at Jaski Art Gallery (Nieuw Spiegelstraat 29) under the title "POLAROTIC." He has a unique photographic technique that is also unusual. All photos are of women; some are portraits; a few are nudes and some erotically titillating.While they are all in b/w there is also a subtle sepia tinge which give them a "classical" feel. They are very large prints measuring 150x200 cms., (180x150 cms., Photo, Ed. 9 @ 18,500 euro; 200x150 cms,.m Photo @ 11,000 euro. [sic] Note that the pricing is not necessarily proportional to the size.) Until 22nd April. http://www.jaski.nl/
 *** 
Three artists are showing at Galerie BMB (Kerkstraat 127). Annatina Graf (Swiss) does painting and video work. She paints with acrylic on linen, but the imagery is nearly subliminal. You almost strain your visual powers to see the imagery. But that's not bad. She also shows a video which has a haunting mood of nostalgia. (40x50 cms., acrylic on linen @ 1,300 euro; 100x120 cms., acrylic on linen @ 3,100 euro.)...Sarah Hillebrecht (Germany) does sculpture figurative pieces in wood and paints the result. She has a basic theme with people bending over or on their knees; and some don't have a head. But the carvings, while rough in detail, are meticulous in form. Nice! (46x28x25 cms., pear wood and acrylic paint @ 2,500 euro.) ...Talaya Schmid (Swiss) makes black wash portrait drawings and adds much typography as a nuance to the imagery. She also fashions figures from rubber which are sometimes identifiable as an animal or looks like one, sort of. There is also something whimsical about her work. (84x59 cms., ink on paper @ 290 euro.) Until 12th May. http://www.galeriebmb.nl/ 
*** 
Jerry Zeniuk is showing "New Works" at SLEWE (Kerkstraat 105). He is a conceptual minimalist with plenty of color. The work is very simple in detail---color circles on linen---but complex in execution. Anyone of the works could inspire a discussion in color theory. (40x40 cms., oil on linen @ 7,500 euro; 170x170 cms., oil on linen @ 32,000 euro.) Until 5th May. At the opening, we were entertained by Ernst Reysiger, a noted cellist, who did things with the cello that just ain't done...But, hey, it worked. He is also featured in a new film by Werner Herzog which is part of the Whitney Biennial, now in progress in NYC. http://www.slewe.nl/
 *** 
Over the years, 3D has seen hundreds of galleries come and go. Some last as long as one show and others a few years; not many last much longer. So it is nice to have participated in celebrating the 5th anniversary of "GALERIE bart" (Bloemgracht 2). And they did themselves proud by hanging the works of 36 artists. There was only one requirement, no work over 20x20 cms. But what you get between those perimeters is amazing if not phenomenal; and nearly every imaginable style is represented: painting, photography, objects, sculpture, collages, drawings, etc. More good news; ALL are priced at 150 euro. Hurry to see what left because there were 21 RED DOTS at the opening. Until 6th May. http://www.galeriebart.nl/
 *** 
Back at RON MANDOS (Prinsengracht 282) is "artists anonymous" that, in reality, are three artists which live and work In London and Berlin. The last showing they had at the gallery rated Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!. It was that good. What they do collectively is always surprising, unusual and unique----some might go as far as saying "mind blowing." This show is no exception! First of all, the walls have been wall papered using their own design and in black. They have then made a collage to cover parts of the papered wall. Finally, they hang paintings and photographs. There are also two walls in a style of conceptual redundancy. One is a series of portrait paintings of the same person, but each one is slightly different. Another wall has about 100 individual drawings of the same person each done slightly a different way. It is difficult to write about the exhibition because there are so many elements that comprise it. There is a "mirrored" room and a separate gallery with another installation. It is a must see and 3D says WOW! Until 12th May. 5 RED DOTS. (28x20 cms., C-print @ 2,950 euro; 50x32 cms., oil on canvas @ 7,700 euro; 90x90 cms., oil on canvas @ 15,000 euro; installation "49 portraits" oil on paper at 48,500 euro.) http://www.ronmandos.nl/
 *** 
David Kretschmer (German) began his artistic career making drawings but his attention along the way was diverted to photography. His next step was to come to Amsterdam and work as an assistant to Edwin Olaf. But, while one might see influences, from this period, they are slight. This show at "amstelgallery" (Stadhouderskade 155) is from his new series "Confessions." He poses his subjects in a bedroom revealing themselves in the mirror. Some are provocative, some simple nude studies and others reflect intimate involvement. A few just show the reality of the moment. The pricing is progressive. That is, buy edition numbers 1 to 3 and pay 1,750 euro; Number 10 of the edition will cost you 3,000 euro.) He has shown in the USofA, UK, Russia, France, South Korea and Indonesia. Until 19th May. http://www.amstelgallery.com/ 
***
Appels Gallery (Brouwergracht 151) hangs the work of Sabine Trees who is a colorful expressionist. One painting titled "Freedom II" is like a birthday celebration. Bright and with pleasing colors. (30x24 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 350 euro; 90x65 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 2,500 euro; 130x140 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 4,300 euro.)...Roalnd Berning has evolved from his orignal style which was a mixture of pop-comic strip representational to, now, expressionistic. And he does it differently. The work is spontaneous and inventive. Some works have elements of representation but in a vague sort of way. Berning is a former winner of the Philip Morris Art Award. (90x70 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,400 euro; 120x100 cms., oil on canvas @ 3,600 euro.)...And don't miss the small back-gallery. There are 31 works by 31 artists on two walls. Expect to see every style from representational to abstract to conceptual. It is also an excellent overview of the artists that show at the gallery. Until 29th April. http://www.appelsgallery.nl/
 ***
 ...And a few doors down from the above is the gallery Van Zijll Langhout that is showing Raymond Cuijpers. He does expressionistic canvases which have the positive elements of Willem de Koonig without being derivative. The colors are pastels and soothing. The largest work has a natural assertiveness that goes beyond imagery and composition. Nice! (100x120 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,250 euro; 350x300 cms., oil on canvas @ 3,000 euro.) Until 31st May. http://www.vanzijlllanghout.nl/ 
*** 
At "Galerie Van Krimpen...Is Back in Town" is the work of Babs Haenen who has created a geometric/abstract wall. It will get your attention. But if you are able to tear yourself from it, there is much more to see in both ceramic and porcelain. The ceramic vases echo the same design and color nuances as do a wall-hanging series. The porcelain work is both intricate and unique in design. The work has two sides which are completely opposite of the other. Confused? Go see it for yourself. Nice! (1,800 to 7,800 euro.) 5 RED DOTS. Until __?__. http://www.wimvankrimpen.nl/
 *** 
Galerie RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427) has a group show of five artist. In the front space are the paintings/drawings of Raymond Assink who does trees and leaves. But before you say, Oh-hum, so what, seen one tree you've them all, hear this: All the canvas are b/w and colorful. Huh? you say...that's a contradiction. Perhaps, but his imagery is so meticulously conceived that you can feel the green. Nice! (40x50 cms., @ 650 euro; 3mx2m @ 5,500 euro.)...In the same room there are still more trees but these are in bronze by Astri Blokbergen. They are nearly geometric/abstractions. While they are sculptured trees she emphasizes the linear aspects of the beautiful flowing branches and limbs that seems to give life to the cold metal. (2,800 to 9,500 euro.)...Michael Schuster makes collages but in a very specialized way. He does figurative work and the imagery comes from dried leaves (this group show is really all about Spring, I guess). But, I digress...The work could easily be kitschy except for the fact that he is able to create motion with his subjects walking, running or just making a point. Simple work and there is a beautiful contrast in composition unique to each piece (450 to 950 euro.)...Photographs by Hella Snijder picture the wilderness. Of course, that is defined more by the bears than the trees. The b/w photos are ever so slightly out-of-focus which adds a touch of mystery. There are three that are In color. (150 to 535 euro.) THREE RED DOTS...Lastly, is the paintings by Erik-Jan Vaandering which can be described as representational geometric/abstractions. Yeah, again, is this a contradiction of terms? Well, no because you can identify birds flying through the composition...if you look really hard. He is concerned more with color and abstraction than reality and the compositions have the look of Islamic mosaic work. Until 26th May. https://bit.ly/2mdb7ay 
*** 
Gallery PR2 (Geldersekade 60) is hanging the work of Andrez (André) Zentveld who, at 80 years old, is still creating and proves that artists never retire...They just fade away. But he is not fading yet! Its just isn't in his genes. Matisse, badly crippled with arthritis, would sit in a chair and direct his assistants on how to assemble a giant wall collage into his 80s. Fortunately, for Zentfled, it is still all his work. You will see two major influences in his work, The Groninger Ploeg and De Bergense School. That basically means dark canvases which are representational in a sketchy sort of way. And there are a few very nice surprises. Portraits that's style is unique to his own hand for instance. (22x15 cms., oil on panel @ 250 euro; 60x30 cms., oil on panel @ 750 euro; 70x50 cms., oil on cardboard @ 1,600 euro.) 9 RED DOTS at opening. Until 6th May. http://www.gallery-pr2.eu/
***
 Anne Ausloos is showing her ceramic work at Galerie De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135). Ceramics is a craft that an artist makes into an art form. Sometimes the process is elaborate in its technique and sometimes the result is an object of art that is highly refined. Ausloss approaches ceramics as someone who loves the substance clay. She maintains the integrity of the material or another way of saying it she keeps the object in its raw form and lets it be itself. A good example of this are several glass vases in the gallery's window. Each contain clay that has been fired, cooled and dried without human intervention. The result is an organic piece of work and unique in every way. A series of four wall hangings consists of a grouping of squares in various dimensions that have been slightly embellished. There is also a series of photographs that capture clay, sand and water in its natural state. The photos might be described as conceptual but for the fact that you are looking at a bicycle that is nearly completely covered in a water/sand mix. Others, in the series, are mysterious. On the floor are about 50 small works, all circular and flat. Each is expressed differently by color, size and configuration. (50, 75, 100, 350 and 1,200 euro for ceramics; photography, Ed. 5 @ 400 euro.) Until 19th May. http://www.galeriedewittevoet.nl/
 *** 
Every Picture Tells a Story according to a Rod Stewart's song of the 70s. Charles Avery (Scotland) must play it while he works and writes. There is no doubt that he is a multi talented individual. According to the press release, "Since 2004 Avery has been describing in the form of drawings, texts and objects, a fictional island." Well, that just makes what he does more interesting. This exhibition exemplifies his approach not to mention that it provides and understanding of the whys behind the work. It helps to make sense of what you see. The drawings are both meticulous and sketchy. To understand that you really must see the show. And the effort to do so will be worth it. He designs posters that reflect the show's theme. The sculpture work on the other hand is simple, but captivating. A series of sculptured heads is spectacular because it combines the classical with the avant-gardé; not to mention there is something whimsical in the design of the hats each head is wearing. The shows title is "New works from The Islanders Project" and is at both GRIMM locations: Frans Halstraat 26 and Keizersgracht 82. 3D gives this show WOW! WOW!!. It is a must see. (59x79 cms., pencil and ink on paper @ 8,400 euro; 97x70 cms., gouache and ink on paper @ 10,800 euro; 310x310310 diameter, steel, wax + magnets @ 42,000 euro; 220x303 acrylic ink, pencil and gouache on paper @ 90,000 euro.) 4 RED DOTS; 8 GREEN DOTS (optioned) at opening. Until 21st May. http://www.grimmgallery.com/
 *** 
"Witteveen Visual Art Centre" is the new name for Galerie Witteveen at their new location (Konijnenstraat 16). Paul van Dongen opened the space with print work and aquarelles. It was just a few weeks before Easter and that's notable because of the theme of the exhibition: The Passion of Christ. He hangs portraits of Jesus with His crown of thorns and there is a etching of Jesus on the cross. The work is both breathtaking and moving whether you are religious or not. He captures the pain along with the divinity. There is also a series of hand colored etchings of flowers. (20x25 cms.., Etch Ed. 10 @ 547.40 euro; 70x33 cms., ets/aquarelle @ 1,071 euro; 56x38 cms.,aquarelle @ 1,249 euro; 151x100 etching, Ed. 10 @ 4,224.50 euro.) SEVEN RED DOTS. Closed 21st April. So sorry! https://bit.ly/2NR0zdF 

...Also Galerie Wit bij Witteveen opened an exhibition---at the same location---for Mark van Overeem who is a conceptual artist that uses geometric/abstract forms to express himself. In this show, there is a huge installation of a room-in-a-room that measures 7mx6.5mx4m. First he made a photograph of an anonymous storage room and copied that onto "wall paper" rolls. He then papered the walls with it. Afterwards, he has added a few elements, like a cabinet, that is pictured in the original photo. Sort of a mirror image. Also hanging is a geometric/abstract mixed media piece that is both simple in detail and color. (126x98x3 cms., oil paint and kunsthof @ 5,300 euro)....Marcel Reijerman makes A4 size boxes with imagery created by drawing and adding collage material like bike light reflector mirrors. There is something kitschy about the work and that is a positive. (26x19.5x6 cms., drawing in a box with plastic reflector @ 975 euro.)...Lotte van Lieshout is a painter. The work is sort of representational/figurative but the imagery is sketchy. The colors are sometimes garish and some of the work borders on the kitschy. (32.5x40 oil lacquer in panel @ 1,015; 150x200 cms., oil on canvas @ 4,900 euro.) 
Until ___?___. 
***
 Andrew Bush's photography is all about people and their cars and is hanging at Galerie W. van Leeuween (Hazenstraat 27). The automobiles, themselves, range from early Corvettes, VWs and a classic Porsche to the more mundane----and even those in need of lots of body work. But, it is the way Bush expresses the cars and the people that's interesting. He captures the driver driving his chariot. He also includes, on the title card, the speed they are traveling at. So what you see is a composition that consist of a car door which "frames" the driver. Generally, the driver is unaware of what is happening; other times they stare back at the camera with a sneer. The gem of the collection is the real live Barbie doll with a pink ribbon in her hair driving an all pink car. Love it! (38x89 cms., C-print, Ed 10, 3,900 euro.) Until 12th May. http://www.woutervanleeuwen.com/
 ***
 Galerie Vriend van Bavink (Gelderskade 58) is offering "System 1.0 Zender's Expo" and it is fun work. Zender (neé Sander Pappot) has taken icons found on computer games and grouped them together so that they tell a "story." You might expect humor from these funny contemporary gnomes and you get it. But there is much more. One large painting is a contemporary take on the Biblical story of Noah and the flood. While several pieces are a rainbow of color other are more sedate and in b/w. Also, there is a series of b/w collage works. He formulates the combined imagery on a PC and prints it out. However there is much more to them than that. In a sense, they are, predominantly, self-portraits. The "story" begins with his conception in a faraway galaxy; his trip to earth; and the related events that follow. As I said at the beginning, "fun work." (silkscreens @ 175 euro; paintings, mixed media 500 to 2,500 euro.) Until 28th April. 
*** 
At PUNT WG (M.V. Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 15) wee the paintings by of Kars Persoon (it closed on 14th April). His work is figurative and almost representational. Almost representational because he often exaggerates the imagery or distorts it. And the colors are often very wild. There is a strong feel of the German Expressionistic School of the 30s. The subjects are classical ranging from knights of yore to Shakespeare to dandy's of the 18th and 19th century. (1,150 to 2,100 euro.) http://www.karspersoon.nl/
*** 
...Now at PUNT WG is the work of two artists. One, Karin Bosdoes mixed-media silkcreeen prints. That is, she sometimes "paints" the paper with gouache, then applies the silkscreen print and finally adds additional paint/color here and there. But it is not the technique that's important, it's the colors and the combination of colors which will get your attention and hold it. She also hangs paintings which have an erotic theme. But that doesn't really describe the abstract aspects. (25x30 cms., @ 375; 48x50 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,275 euro.)...Erik Wuthrich does monumental sculpture work. but you will only see models at the exhibition; and depending on when you go, you will see one or two works in progress that he is fabricating during the length of the show. The prototype, on display, is titled "Gaudi/Eiffel/Serra. He works with polyester and iron filings. Until 6th May. http://www.puntwg.nl/
 *** 
Marcus Harvey (UK) is showing at REFLEX (Weteringschans 83). His style is unique but reflects back to the Pointillists, at the turn of the last century, in both technique and perceived imagery. There is an illusion in nearly every work that you are looking at the subject matter as reflected in a pond of water or through bubbled office doors of the last century. He is not conservative in his use of color but the compositions balance the gloss. The imagery is iconic and classical like the skulls. And speaking of skulls there is a bronze one on display which has a strong abstract element. The two show stoppers are the bronze footballs. One is about 25 cms., high and the other---sitting on the floor---is about a meter+ in diameter. (Print in Edition of 15 @ 350 euro; paintings begin @ 7,000 and go up from there.) Until 16th May. http://www.reflexamsterdam.com/ 
*** 
At ART AFFAIRS (Veemkade 354) is the work of Norman Dilworth (UK). He is 80 years old and still going strong. He creates images from steel and cardboard/paper that are the personification of simplicity. As an example, he takes a 54x42 cms., sheet of heavy paper and cuts from it three circles, of different sizes, and takes the circle cut out and applies it to another location on the paper. Simple and beautiful in all the glory of monochromatic white. Other work follows the same criteria, but differently. The show stopper is a steel and black paint wall hanging. A four sided work but each side---while the same shape---is in a different dimension. At each of the four corners there is a square painted black. Elegant, monumental conceptualism at its best. (54x42, cut paper, Ed. 20 @ 600 euro; 40x30 cms.,, cut paper @ 1,500 euro; 112x92 cms., painting @ 18,000 euro; 200x200x200 cms., standing cor-ten steel [self rusting] @ 25,000 euro. Until 16th June. http://www.artaffairs.net/
*** 
Peggy Franck is at Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140) with her silver colored mirror papered drawings. She does the work with broad strokes of acrylic gouache and spray pint in a colorful array. The colors are applied and/or altered haphazardly. The results are works where the imagery sometimes seem to be in motion because of the effects of the lighting. On the floor of the space is an installation consisting of a wood parquet floor with a scroll of colored plastic. (50x70 cms., Acrylic on chromolux paper @ 2,150 euro; 50x70 C-print, Ed. 1 @ 2,150 euro.)...In the PLAYSTATION section, of the gallery, is work by Vincent Verhoef who makes sculptured objects. Basically, in place of canvas, he uses aluminium, brass and/or copper sheets. To treat the metal he uses chemicals and oil paint. The resulting imagery tends to be abstract though, from time to time, a representational object like a tree comes through. Other works are pure constructions. (15x15 cms., chemical on copper @ 550 euro; 12x21x17 marble sculpture @ 1,450 euro; 105.5x60.5x24 cms., brass, wood, Plexiglas, plastic case, acrylic, bitumen and oil on wood @ 3,000 euro.) Until 26th May. http://www.fonswelters.nl/
 ***
 Natalia Dik (Russia/NL) is hanging her oil paintings at Restaurant Vermeer (Prins Hendrikkade 59-72). She is a contemporary impressionist but she pleasantly avoids the overuse of color. The subject matter ranges from landscapes to still lifes to a portrait. The portrait has elements of Renoir but is not derivative. Perhaps a distinguishing feature of her technique is the broad brush strokes that hint at someone who's an expressionist at heart. She has shown in the USofA, UK, Sweden, Italy, Russia, China and several galleries throughout Holland. (40x50 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,400 euro; 75x55 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,800 euro; 80x75 cms. oil on cnavas @ 3,100 euro.) Until 27th May. More info at: http://www.gallery-pr2.eu/.
 *** 
Michelle Grabner is back in town and at PS (Madurastraat 72). When last seen, in Amsterdam, she was showing b/w dot paintings. Well, this time you can expect color. She was born in Oshkosh Wisconsin which is famous for being the home of a children clothing manufacturer: OshKosh b'gosh. They work mainly in gingham material for finishing their apparel. It is "a plain woven fabric where the warp and weft are lined to form a simple perpendicular crossing pattern" much like a checkered table cloth at an Italian restaurant. She recreates these patterns a bit more crudely and plays with the color combinations. A series of eight all white works resemble the patterns of a washcloth. (1,000 euro, each.) Until 27th May. http://www.psprojectspace.nl/ 
***
 Here is a show that may really bug you...Oh, my, what a bad pun...But there is an element of truth. Sebastian Wggler is at TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248) with compositions done with dead flies. Kid you not! Each fly is mounted on a clothing pin used by dress makers; and each fly has been treated so that it won't disintegrate in a few years time. He arranges the pins---numbered in the hundreds---into the illusion of an image like a 747 jet plane, a cathedral or castle. Also he displays 12 small figurative sculptured forms in concrete. Each is whimsical in some way. There are also two tapestries...And check out the library of videos. They are short, simple animations telling nice stories; and 3D loved the sounds. (27x11.5x11.5 cms, mixed media @ 600 euro; 26x30 cms., flies/needle on canvas @ 500 euro; 160x130 cms., tapestry @ 2,600 euro.) Until 26th May. www.tenhaafprojects.com
***

 "PHOTO!" is the title of the group show of photographers at Morren Galleries (Prinsengracaht 572). The majority of the work is by the duo Billy&Hells whose style is retro. The models are dressed as if they stepped from a 1920's film scene...Then there is Dindi van der Hoek who does unusual art photography. Sometimes the imagery is identifiable and sometimes not...Jan Saudek is showing early work from the 80s. Most are nudes and with a funny tilt to them; the print is hand colored giving it a late 19th century flavor...Brooke Shaden's photographs are rather mysterious and often accented by water....finally, Bethany de Forest is weird, colorful and her sometimes beautiful fantasy scenes are nearly surreal. Until 13th May. http://www.morrengalleries.nl/
 *** 
At ART A CASA (Kerkstraat 411) is Astrid Trügg who specializes with painting still lifes but with several differences from the run of the mill variety. As an example, typography is often an important element; and there is a touch of conceptualism as well. You can also see touches of Cubism from its early stages. She also shows prints. (30x20 cms., mono-print @ 190 euro; 30x20 cms., oil on canvas @ 625 euro; 60x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,950 euro.) Until ___?___. http://www.artacasa.nl/
 ***
 "denieuwegalerie" (Passeerdersgracht 23) is a large space with more than one room. It has been an anti-squat operation, but the building has been sold and the gallery will move on this coming September. Currently there is a group show featuring thirteen artists with work ranging from mixed-media to sculpture to jewelry, et al. Jos Out is a sculptor whose work is streamlined, simple and elegant and all in marble with metal accents...Neely Schaap shows several of her mixed-media abstracts...Marja Verhage crafts monumental sculpture work from marble with clean lines and one that is "tied-up" with leather straps...Wiep Valentijn more or less steals the show with her ceramic brooches which are about the size of a rose and looking something like one, but more colorful. She had 10 RED DOTS. Until 20th May. http://www.denieuwegalerie.nl/ 
***
 David Kramer (USofA) is at TORCH (Lauriegracht 94) with work where you are more often than not distracted from the painting itself because of the typography that conveys pithy messages: "I worry that I might already be past my prime....Just when I am finally getting it together." or "I was talking to a friend of mine. He was telling me that he hates southern California...'Everybody is so superficial and fake there...' I told him that that is exactly why I go.'" He illustrates the remarks with watercolor drawings or with a paint brush. The colors are bright and the overall effect is a bit kitschy. A maquette of the side of an urban located hill parodies LA and its Hollywood sign. Instead of the Hollywood sign we get one that reads Brussels. Cute! (50x70 cms., ink on paper @ 2,500 euro; 155x150 cms., oil on canvas @ 9,500 euro; 140x140x110 mixed media @ 10,000 euro.) Until 19th May. http://www.torchgallery.com/
 ***
 At Steendrukkerij Amsterdam (Lauriergracht 80) is Guido Vlottes' "Trailer Park." I describe the work as representational but from the brush of an expressionist. Vlottes strokes are bold and well defined. While his imagery is sometimes vague, it is still definable. The subject matter ranges from the banal---sausages in a pan of water---to houses teetering on the edge of a cliff to a group scene of football players. (45x50 cms., oil on linen @ 1,900 euro; 50x70 cms., oil on linen @ 2,400 euro; 190x155 cms., oil on linen @ 6,900 euro; 160x400 cms., oil on linen @ 11,200 euro.) Until 26th May. http://www.steendrukkerij.com/
 ***
 "Edges of Capitalism" is the title of a group show of six artists at BRANDT (Prinsengracht 799). Can't say where the title comes from since it is an eclectic collection of styles and techniques. The range is from photography to conceptual objects with a few paintings in between the extremes...Stehpan Muis kitschy parody of Disney characters will get your attention...A series of "neckties" shaped from plastic shopping bags by Robert Roelink are fun. Also , from the same artist, a purple pig, with tie, stands on a plastic inflatable pillow. Nice! (prices range from 200 euro for a tie; 950 to 5,000 euro for an oil.) Until 13th May. http://www.galeriebrandt.com/
 ***
 ...And it is new gallery time...W1F (wat een foto!) is located at the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 371. It is both a photograph gallery and photographic book store (new and used). The current show is for Hans Keller who is hanging both b/w and color work. He specializes in photographing women and mostly bare breasted and almost always in a white skirt. However, the white skirt is sometimes a geometric/abstract edition and sometimes one looking like a sculptured piece. The poses range from the natural to the model being in motion. The colors range from the normal to the unusual. (30x40 cms., @ 250 euro; 50x65 cms., @ 500 euro.) Until __?__. https://bit.ly/2MI51hS 
*** 
...And yet another new gallery..."LiFE THE GALLERY" [sic] (Lauriergracht 96...next door to TORCH) Is showing very unusual drawings? tapestries? objects? Hard to put her work into a category (I have left out her name. Damn! I don't have my notes with me. Nothing is going right!). She makes amazing portraits with black thread. Kid you not! The details are excellent and the work is meticulous. And like any good drawings the imagery is a believable illusion. Well, that describes a series of female portraits; another series is of geometric abstractions that have a color wash background. (125 euro; 425 euro; 575 euro.) ...Also showing is Lotta Esko, who is a painter, whose style is vaguely representational with strong expressionistic influences. The subject matter is mostly females and while I'm tempted to describe them as portraits I don't really think that would be accurate. Until 26th May. http://www.lifeamsterdam.nl/  
***
 Henk Hage is showing new paintings---and a few from previous years---at Galerie Josine Bokhoven (Prinsengracht 154). He is an expressionist that has several styles within the category. And one of those styles sometimes indicated elements of representational aspects. Two small canvases are labeled "self-portrait" but, well, that's very hard to see. It must be something metaphysical. (N.B. After writing the notes I looked through a catalog from 2006 titled "Self-Portraits" which reproduced about 100 Self-portraits and it all became clear...Sorta.) The work is on both canvas and handmade paper. (17x18 cms., @ 900 euro; 70x50 cms., @ 1,150 to 2,250 euro; 184x77 cms., oil on canvas @ 5,900 euro.). Until 5th June. https://bit.ly/2JHGNOt
 *** 
Emmy E. Andriesse had a very short career as a professional photographer. First of all, she died of cancer at 39 years; and there was something called WW II that interrupted her work. She was from Den Haag but settled in Amsterdam in the late 30s. Being Jewish---though a non practicing Jew---she went into hiding from 1943 to November 1944 when she then resurfaces with forged documents. She also joins a group called De Ondergedoken Camera (The Underground Camera). It was illegal to take pictures during the Nazi occupation so several artist did it surreptitiously. It is these photos that are featured at the Jewish Historical Museum (Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1) present show. You will see the sadness in the eyes of the children; those gaunt from The Hunger Winter; and men sorting through trash on the River Amstel. But don't despair, because she was there with her camera at the Liberation capturing people dancing in the streets; children looking into the sky as planes drop parachutes with food; and captured Jewish people, who survived the camps, returning to the city. A gripping show. Don't miss the 44 minute video, shot in 1991, by Carrie de Swaan. It has English sub-titles. Until 30th September. http://www.jhm.nl/ 
***
 "Art and porn together in this story become precisely the opposite fertilization." Don't ask me what that means, but that is an under-title of a film still from Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam's detailed brochure of the newest exhibition. Three artists, Quinsy Gario, Bart Groenendaal and Stefan Ruitenbeek show their porn under the title "Project 1975." The press release says that "SMBA presents two exhibitions and an essay in the context of Project '1975', a long term programme reflecting on the relationship between contemporary art and the post colonial condition of our society." There you go, all in a nut shell. There is an intellectual element to what you will see but rest assure you will still see porn. Hmmmmm. Be sure to read the brochure for gems like: "...porn has the capacity to re-invent sex and, by doing so, to re-create the flatness of mainstream media porn." Huh? In Ancient Amateurs is a "behind the scenes glimpse of how porn is constructed...The money shot (or cum shot, the most critical element in every pornographic work) plays a vital part in the film." Well, it's that kind of show. Don't forget to take condoms...You never know....Until 3rd June. http://www.smba.nl/
 ***
 ...And...That's all folks! Actually it is more than enough. Most of these shows are still showing so show up and see them why don't ya? It is Spring after all...Or so says the calendar, but this is Holland and sometimes the weather doesn't jive with the month...Who cares? Let ART bring sun into your soul and at the same energize your neurons in your brain. It's a win-win!!! Kid you not! 

Photo: work Andrew Masullo, happiness machines, artspace.com

http://gould3dlist.blogspot.nl/  

 

Reageren