3D List: Amsterdam Art & Galleries Week #5

3D List: Amsterdam art & Galleries Week #5

By. Daniel Gould

Well, here we go again. Amazing how quickly the days pass when you are having fun; and gazing on Amsterdam's artists and their art is more than fun...it is exhilarating, educational, exciting and, yes, sometimes exasperating. Exasperating because you want it all!!! But there isn't enough money and Dutch rooms are so very small and more and more artists are going big, big and bigger. Life is hard...but not without its joys. So, enjoy by doing the rounds this week on the world's most exciting art scene!

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week:

BITS & PIECES:

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." And who was the genius that uttered these words? Albert Einstein. Great mathematicians are also philosophers with an artistic bent.

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The Jewish Historical Museum has announced that they are publishing "My House, Your House" in English, Dutch, Hebrew and Arabic. The stories, poems, games, etc---authored by various people---are meant "to build bridges and have children enjoy experiencing each other's cultures...The book is also a tribute to Fiep Westendorp (1916-2004) a 'much loved Dutch illustrator.' " 19.50 euros ISBN: 978.90.90.23.286-7

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Laser 3.14 latest is: "The last time I felt tremor I didn't even tried [sic] to escape." (Weesperzide opposite #63.) This is a rather ambiguous statement. However, I think, it might indicate that the ending of a previous relationship is complete for Laser 3.14 and a new one may be beginning. P.S. He has an exhibition coming up in a few weeks. More about that, then.

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Want to eavesdrop on your favorite Hollywood star? You can do it now by going to: CelebrityAddressAerial.com. Using Microsoft maps, the site shows the estates of the big shots of LaLaLand. You can get addresses along with details and aerial photos. More than 1,000 entries.

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Killing of the flies. Ever notice that even when you take perfect aim in trying to swat a fly you often miss? There are two reasons. The obvious one is that if you use a rolled newspaper the air turbulence pushes the fly from harms way (that's why fly swatters have holes). Now a research center has identified another factor. "It is best to aim a bit forward of the fly's starting position, to anticipate where it is going to jump." Michael Dickinson, California Institute of Technology who led a study on how to swat flies. (The Times, London, 29th August.) Hey, 3D thinks this is a more worthy pursuit than designing new and bigger nuclear weapons.

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"We wanted to convey the sense that evolution can bring up a surprising diversity of weird, interesting, strange things." Game creator Will Wright on his latest game "Spore," released by Electronic Arts. Play evolves from controlling a single-celled microbe and a tribe striving for galactic domination. (New York Times, 2nd Sept.)

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Aaah...USofA politics. Here is a new web-site (sign of the times?): www.JohnKerry.com has a new project titled: www.TruthFightsBack.com organized by the Center for Political Accuracy. If you get anonymous smears concerning Obama you e-mail it "and our system can read your smear and get you our researched response immediately...And I'll e-mail back a reply debunking the original e-mail. This can happen in 10 minutes or less." E-mail...don't leave home without it!

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The new library (Openbare Bibliotheek) revisited. On July the 8th 2008 I found myself at the new library. It had now been open for a year and a day. I decided to check out if any of my "suggestions" had been in-acted. To wit, identification of magazines and their location; same thing for newspapers; code numbers at the end of the book stacks to indicate what books are where. Nothing had been done.

Sometime at the beginning of August, I was approaching the entrance and just at the beginning of the outside stairs I saw Hans van Velzen (the director) standing with two other men watching a fourth man apply adhesive backed signs to the sides of the steps. I approached him and said I had sent him an e-mail last October about the magazine section. He immediately interrupted me to say, "We have 2,258 periodicals!" I said, "That's great! But try to find one of them." I went on to explain the difficulty. He told me that "We're working on it!" After having been open for thirteen months and still working on it.

Last week, on a visit, I realized that I had not checked the magazine section during the last several weeks. I did so. At first, I thought, still nothing had been done. I searched out NewScientist and when I reached for the exposed copy I came away with a plastic sleeve and nothing more. On close inspection, I saw that the powers-that-be had taken the front cover of each magazines and laminated it in plastic. When the current copy isn't there you can now, at last, find its proper location and open the cover tray to access previous issues. Well, it IS an improvement. And indeed an important one. However, there are still no signs---perpendicular to the trays of magazines---that indicate the section for Science, Art or Automobiles. Maybe next year.

P.S. There are still no numbers at the end of the aisle to identify the book sections. The newspaper section is still chaotic with no order, alpha or otherwise.

P.S. II. Toilets in the new library: Every floor has a least one toilet. However, from the ground floor to number six they are strictly limited to the handicapped. The public toilets are in the basemen; and, on the seventh floor, where V&D's La Palace is located, there are three sets of toilets. The one, next to the restaurant is now closed (it was FREE and most regular library visitors soon discovered the fact). At the other end of the floor, at the auditorium entrance, is a men's toilet and one for females. In August, I noticed that of the three men's sit down toilets two were missing seats. Last week, I checked on them once again and still no seats. Then I decided to look in on the third one: NO seat. Where have all the seats gone? And why haven't they been replaced? And should we continue to be oblige to pay the 20 euro cents to use them? The great toilet seat mystery...to be continued.

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WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

It was a very easy weekend and 3D took time to linger at some of the venues and to talk with the artist, curator and/or gallery holder.

Friday:

De Chiellerie (Raamgracht 58) was a group show of South African artists. ALL live and work in the country down under (oops, I think that's Australia). Anyway, none of the artists made the long trip to Amsterdam for the exhibition. I mentioned a few weeks back the Berend Strik had started something by stitching fabric onto canvas. Is it possible that his influence has been felt in other countries? Nontobeko Ntombela has stitched people like figures, cut from fabric, onto his very large mixed media paper pieces...Happy Dhlame has created a floor/wall installation which is unusual in that it reflects urban life and decay...Alex Trapani does conceptual abstracts on plexiglass. And there are six other artists to be viewed. Until 3rd October. Sorry, no web-site address. Damn, I forgot to note the prices.

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Art Affairs is back...and at a new location: Veemkade 358; thus joining g.i.s.t.Amsterdam, 2x2projects and Paul Andriesse all within 50 meters of the other. It is not a large space, but big enough to adequately show small to medium size works. The first show was aptly titled, "'relocation, gallery artists' special feature: John Baldessari, works on paper." The show comprises sculpture, photography and mixed media work. There was a portfolio piece titled: "Throwing three balls in the air to get a straight line (best of thirty six attempts)," by John B. I knew it was his work because the title page, of the portfolio, had been framed and bore his name. None of the other pieces by the other artists were identified with name tags, nor did 3D see a price list and, in fact, the invite ONLY cited J.B. Hmmm. If you overlook the confusion, it's a nice show. Until 22nd., November. www.artaffairs.net.

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"IN DE HAL LOODS 6" (Knsm-laan 289, DeBagagehal). A great space for any exhibition. Four galleries: Maria Chailloux, R. Katwijk, Witteveen and Wit (Wageningen) combined to mount this group show of ???, well it is a long, long list of nearly 50 artists...anyway that's my estimate. Every piece has a name sticker that provides also the size, price, title (if any) and technique. What isn't included is which gallery represents the artist. Hey, no big deal! A great overview of the contemporary art scene. There are BIG names and new names; but nothing bad and a lot that is really special. Should 3D single out one, two or more artists? Nah...go for yourself and see it all. There is really something for everyone. Until 5th October, open daily 11:00 to 19:00. www.chailloux.nl, wwwgalerierogerkatwijk.nl, wwwgaleriewit.nl and www.galeriewitteveen.nl.

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Saturday:

Orangerie, Amstelpark played host to "ORANJE(RIE) KLEURT ROOD" and initiative of Marlijn Franken. Franken started her professional career as a costume designer for stage and film. Somewhere along the line, the line between "design" and "art" became confused. She finally solved the problem by declaring herself and artist who works primarily with material. And the material she uses has become more "artistic" in nature than what came before.

In this show, she has incorporated Dirk van den Broek "plastic sakjes." Not the heavy duty expensive one that one Amsterdam design house saw fit to use as inspiration to do a whole house: drapes, rugs, shower curtain, chair slip cases, etc, but the cheap ones that cost 15 or so euro cents. Inside the Orangerie space (a former glass green house) she had erected a small "cabin," a tent like structure and catwalk lines in the red plastic bags.

The fashion show comprised everything from a woman's cocktail dress to a man's "business" suit. All done with red plastic bags. There were also hats from the same source.

There is a story behind the production. Franken went to her neighborhood Dirk van den Broek supermarket and asked for 150 plastic bags for an art project. She was passed onto to manager, to district manger, to ever higher levels of bureaucrats until the request finally landed at the desk of Dirk van den Broek himself (yes, he IS a real person). It seems that Dirk insists on final approval of everything expecially if it is art related. Franken sent a representative to his office and that person reported back that in Dirk's office were two of her "dresses/costumes" that the he had purchased last summer at an auction of "Amsterdammerjes" that had graced the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat. Oh, yeah, she got the bags and at NO charge.

3D attended on Saturday and the music program consisted of a guitarist, Ton Mulders and a tap dancer, Marije Nie. Is anyone reading this old enough to remember when tap dancers were a common act in revues and on b/w TV? Well, like so many musical and dance forms the art has been up dated. The performe, Nie, was in a dark blue dress with a bright red jacket and scarlet red shoes. Her set began with a minimalistic conceptual approach and this evolved into a more classical form of the art though the rhythms and beats seemed to be more African inspired than western. Finally, the guitarist joined in. Three young girls from maybe eight to eleven were transfixed with the act. At one point Nie tossed a handheld percussion type instrument to the oldest who had been tapping her foot during the performance and the young girl joined in. There may be a place for tap dancing in contemporary life after all. Sorry, it was only a two day affair and closed on Sunday. You can't put things off; see what I mean? www.marlijnamsterdam.web-log.nl

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Irene Kopelman (Argentinian) created a show especially for the outLINE space (Oetewalerstraat 73). If you have never attended one of their exhibitions you will be unaware of the uniqueness of the gallery as to its configuration. First, she uses a technique called "frottage." Basically, what it is, is a rubbing; paper held against the wall and rubbed with charcoal or graphite which picks up the impressions left by the plaster trowel. "The artist then subsequently photographed square by square the entire grid of frottages, printed the photographs scale 1:2,5 and then returned these new photographic images back to their original models, the gallery walls." There are perhaps 300 examples applied in difference rectangular configurations in the three gallery rooms. Until 25th October. www.outlineamsterdam.nl

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Galerie Utrecht (Prinsengracht 572) had a special night for Bethany de Forest, one of two artists now on exhibition at their Amsterdam gallery. The title was "pinhole films/clips/animaties." 3D had no idea what to expect. The pin hole photography technique goes back to the beginning of photography. De Forest has perfected the art to the point where most of her work is in color and with brilliant colors at that. So, what is the result of the pin hole technique when applied to using a film camera? Actually, you forget about the technique. the quality is excellent and the stories well told. "Cox Continental" combines the animation action with a perfect instrumental musical score. "Bueno" was an erotic fantasy done to the music of Mexican like small brass band. She ended the program of five short pieces with a peek at a work in progress which involves the energetic lives of ants. Nice program. www.galerieutrecht.nl

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Sunday:

If you attended the Oude Kerk program at 15:00 you may have been disappointed. 3D arrived perhaps a little after 16:00 and the lady at the ticket booth knew nothing about anything...Hmmm, how did 3D get this wrong? No matter...I moved on...

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Art Stable Gallery (Fokke Simonzstraat 73) participated in the "AfricanVibes" program (see Friday: De Chiellerie). At this location, there are photos, ceramics, objects and paintings. Zanele Muholi does b/w photos and already enjoys "star" status in South Africa. The photos picture different body sections and range in price from 440 euro to 3,250 euro. She does not do "editions," all are "open ended" in that she prints a new print when she sells it...Anita Latigan makes mixed media prints. There is a strong sense of the Pop School in her technique. Each piece is sort of unique. The background is a laser copy which is then superimposed with a conceptual "drawings" in paint (1,000 euro....Danie de Wet paints with an almost hyper-realism technique and style. What stands out is the fact that there is no real focal point. That is, in each of his three pieces there is a person or persons in the composition, however the elements that support the composition draw your attention as much as does the human figures. (1,340 to 3,650 euros)...And directly to the right of De Wet's paintings is the conceptual piece by Eric Katsini. It is about 200x180 cms., on canvas. But, is it a mixed media piece or an artist joke. The latter, you sense, because there is no form, no composition and the only imagery you can really identify is typographical: writing and numbers. And, no color. Just b/w and shades of gray. Hey, 3D liked it! Until ? Damn, there was a price list, but no invite so I don't have a web-site. Sorry about that.

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WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Reminder: The (?) means 3D may have it wrong; and the "*" also means that 3D could have erred. So, call ahead or check the gallery's web-site before you go...

WEDNESDAY: 1st October 2008

18:00 Maison Descartes (Vijzelstraat 2a). "Land," photos by Andre Merian. www.maisondescartes.com

THURSDAY: 2nd October

Holland Art Gallery located in the Bijenkorf (3rd floor, Dam) is having a sale on contemporary art with discounts ranging from 30 to 70% from today until Sunday, the 5th October. www.hag.nl

FRIDAY: 3rd October

17-19:00 WGKUNST (M. van Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 28)). "Ukrainian art-group 'G.V.K.'" Olena Golub, Glib Vysheslavskyi and Volodymyr Kharchenko...hey, here is another "title:" "Digital Yard No 3." Is that anything like Gulag #2? The invite repro looks like it is ALL photo work. www.wgkunst.nl

18-21:00 PUNTWG (M. van Bouwdijk Bastiaansesetraat 15). Maarten Welbergen, paintings. www.puntwg.nl

20:00 Oude Luthersekerk: Lecture. Organized by Univ. of Amsterdam, W139, Stedelijk Museum, Metropolis M and SMBA. The program includes international speakers and specific art and art related themes. This one is titled: Now is the Time: Art and Theory in the 21st Century. Kaja Silverman and Laura U. Marks. 7,50 entry The first of several lectures and there are specially prriced passe-partouts available @ 25 and 40 euro. www.nowisthetime.nl

SATURDAY: 4th October

14:00 Lux Photo Gallery (Het Sieraad, Postjesweg 1). Program from The Breda Photograph Festival and Mets & Schilt publisher. (Also see Sunday). www.luxphotogallery.com

14:00 " " " : Ahmet Polat and Robert Knoth.

15:30 " " " : Magnum photographer, Carla de Keyzer

16:00 " " " : PhotoQline, six people talk.

18:00 " " " : Willem Poelstray, talk and book signing.

16-18:00 GALERIE bart (Bloemgracht 2). Erik Buijs, "onderzoek."

16-18:00 galerie ra (Vijzelstraat 80). Paul Derrez (the owner of ra) will show his work along with Floor Max and Floor Mommersteeg. www.galerie-ra.nl

12-17:00 Willem Kerseboom modern & contemporary art (Leidsegracht 38). Zhang Haiying, "Anti-Vice." www.kerseboom.com

(?)15:00* SBK-Amsterdam Zuid (Van Eeghenstraat 59). Wladimir Zwaagstra.

(?)16:00* Gallery Steltman (Prinsengracht at Nieuw Spiegelstr.). Michael Parkes.

(?)16:00 Reflex Modern Art Gallery (Weteringschaans 83). "The Fancy Funeral," Mahomi Kunikata.

16-18:00 Lieve Hemel (N. Spiegelstraat 3). Bernard Verkaaik, paintings. www.lievehemel.nl

(?) 17:00* Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Lauriergracht 96). "Los Angeles Revisited." Group show with "names." Is there really an opening? Only the gnome knows...and he ain't telling!!!

17-20:00 MLB (Witte de Withstraat 32A). "Kunst gemaakt voor jou...is een kunstexperiment: een interactie van gedichten, schilderijen en de waarnemer." If you say so....

17-19:00 Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries (Bilderdijkstraat 165). Group show with Sven-Ole Frahm, Koen Delaere, M. Lut, T. Winkler & R. Torenbosch. www.xs2art.com

20-24:00 Petersburg Project Space (Frans de Wollantstraat 84). conclusion of a duo show; an installation by Su Tomsen abd Ronald Nijhos. They have constructed a 3D (3-dimensional, that is) with a social theme. www.petersburgprojectspace.org

20:30 Mediamatic BANK (Vijzelstraat 68). "ikikik! uitverkoop and Opening Club Internet #5." The "Final Grab...we will finish the ikikik! clothing mountain in style. TAKE VINTAGE for only 5 euros per kilo! And enjoy your upcycling skills at the sewing machines on the cat walk or in front of the ikCam photo and video booths." www.mediamatic.net/ik

(?) 20:00-24:00 P///AKT (Zeeburgerpad 53). Erik Olofsen "opening II."

18:00 De Chiellerie (Raamgracht 58). "Umbrella Art" an initiative of Xstreets Collective asked 40+ artists to make a design with paint, drawing, whatever on an umbrella. On opening night there is a fashion show by ALL DESIGN of Basel + "several djs." Until 10th October.

SUNDAY: 5th October

14:00 Lux Photo gallery (See Saturday for details)

14:00 Carin Verbruggen, book signing

15:45 Chris de Bode, book signing

16:15 Martijn van de Griendt, book signing.

15:00 NP 40 (Middenweg 22). "US." Pinkney Herbert, drawings and Greely Myatt, installation.

both artist from Elvis' town, Memphis, Tenn., USofA. www.np40.nl

15:30 Galerie STAM (Prisengracht 365-s). "Denkbeelden," Monica Sandell.

12-17:00 Galerie 'Eewal" (Czaar Peterstr. 153. Anton Rinzema, paintings. no official opening.

WEDNESDAY: 8th October

20:00 PLatform21-Premsela + Items @ De Balie. A discussion on design and government policy. In Dutch. FREE. RSVP: geerts@premsela.org.

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Well, this week there is a real mixed bag of things to do, see and hear. Satisfy yourself visually, aurally and any other way that may arise. This is the city where it ALL happens. Take advantage of it and help an artist survive...that means: BUY SOMETHING!!!

Remember money? Is there any left in the world?

There's 3D going to look under a mattress...if he can find one...