3D List: Amsterdam Art & Galleries Week #6

3D List: Amsterdam art & Galleries Week #6

By. Daniel Gould

Hello one and all. Another week is upon us...wasn't that quick. We must be on fast time these days, the days go by like hours. But, all the better. We don't have to wait as long until the next weekend of exhilarating exhibits. Isn't that nice?

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week:

BIT & PIECES:

The Dutch loathe the weather in the Netherlands. On 29th September it was 96 degrees Fahrenheit (about 33 degree Celsius) in Los Angles. Would you really prefer that?

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The New York Times reports "Amsterdam is the reigning capital of cool" in its autumn travel guide....and they are not referring to the thermometer. "The Dutch capital has emerged as a cultural juggernaut with everyone from designers to DJs flexing their creative muscles." Quoted from www.DutchNews.nl 10th October.

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Desiree Dolrow (represented by Galerie Gabriel Rolf) was mentioned in the New York Times article "In Singapore putting accent on beauty." A reproduction of one of her photographs was included. Int. Herald Tribune, 3rd Oct., p. 8.

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On the same page, as the above, is an article on John le Carre and he comments on the USofA: "If I'm angry at America, I am angry as a disenchanted romantic," he says. "Of course, I'm not angry at Americans at all. My argument is not with the American people. It's with the way they've been mislead, which I consider monstrous." Hey, sorry, John, 3D, as an American, says it is the country's citizens that are indeed the ones to be angry with. They have, by a margin of 50% plus one, selected the likes of Nixon, Reagan and Georgie-porgie Boy. And, I might add, gotten what they deserved for doing so.

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You say your are a "green" and you support bio-fuels as safe for the environment. Well, to produce one gallon (4+ liters) of diesel fuel up to 9,000 gallons (nearly 36,000 liters) of water are required to grow soybeans. Corn, however, is a little more efficient needing only 4,000 gallons. And guess what folks? there is just not enough water to go around not to mention the new rush to go green has put tremendous pressure on the cost of those commodities which has meant higher food cost for the worlds' poor whether they live in a third world country or Europe. "Another inconvenient truth," Peter Brabek-Letmathe, Int Herlad Tribune, 6th Oct., p. 6.

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And, now, time for a message from the Amsterdam's leading street philosopher, Laser 3.14: "A void you can taste and touch" and "Ground control to major God." Both at De Lairessestraat 13.

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Does the high cost of Viagra leave you feeling, well, limp? Not to mention the side effects sorta curtail the desire for why you take it in the first place. MSN on-line news reports that you try "horny goat weed." Italian researchers (and they should know) say the " weed has the potential to treat erectile dysfunction." It is a Chinese herb plant and "has a long history as an aphrodisiac." I guess that means that in no time you are hard at it again. Hmmm...3D has got to watch those puns...

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And speaking about the unspeakable...gallery "1646" (Den Haag) sent me an invite with this notation: "By Virtue of Contrast. A SHOW WHOSE ORIGINAL TITLE couldn't be used because one of the words in it cannot to reproduced here." Really? What word could that be? I wasn't aware that there were any longer any legal or even moral restrictions on the use of language. Even the infamous guttural exhortation beginning with an "f" and ending with a "k" is found used in the mainstream press. Is this meant to be a clever way of arousing the public curiosity? Or is it because the gallery is in Den Haag? Hey, common, Johan, say it ain't so. www.enter1646.com

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

Thursday:

Maison Descartes (Vijzelsraat 2) hangs the photographs of Andre Merian. He features a style between city scape and land scape. Living units---homes and apartment buildings---at an area being newly developed. We see this suburban land scape against the sometimes surrounding undeveloped areas. Some of the photos have leant a monumental quality to the structures while others create artistic compositions and he likes the open space. www.maisondescartes.nl

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At WGKUNST (M.v. Bouwdijk Baastiaansestraat 28) there is an exhibition of three Ukrainians under the title: "Ukrainian art-group 'G.V.K.'" Olena Golub shows large (160x110 cms.) photograph/collages with the theme of each reflecting aspects of the country from the country roads to monumental buildings; from an old street accordion player to statues of the country's heros (800 euro)...Glib Vysheslavskyi makes large tapestries (160x120 cms.) embossed with symbols creating the imagery. The symbols range from human skulls, torches, daggers to whatnot. (400-600 euro)...Volodymyr Kharchenko photographs have been enhanced. In some examples it is minor and in others extensive. The effect is often haunting and at other times completely abstract. The strong element in the work is the contract whether it is b/w or color. Nice work. (80x55cms. @400 euro.) A 26 pages catalog is available. Until 26th Ocotber. www.wgkunst.nl

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At MLB (Witte de Withstr. 32) there is a rather unusual exhibition. Three artists are hanging their work. However, one is a painter and the other two are poets. And it gets better. The two poets have written a rendering that has been inspired by each of Carster Claijs paintings which are abstract minimalism. The focus of his work is on color and its contrast with composition. The paintings have but two or three colors at most. The paintings are 950 euro and each poem (framed) is 80 euro and in an edition of one. Daan Stet and Niels Pols are the scribes.

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Saturday:

aschenbach & hofland galleries (Bildredijkstraat 165c). This is a group show so the description for each artists will be short which, in some cases, is a pity...Koen Delaere is an expressionists with a strong linear tilt which has been attacked by blobs of paint! Curious? (140x235, acrylic @ 6,750 euro). Sven-ole Frahm is an abstract/expressionist that paints in b/w and various shades of gray (240x170 cms., acrylic @ 7,600 euro)...Marias Lut hangs a Barnett Neuman style two color monochromic work. (200x3000, acyrlic @ 6,500 cms.)...Remco Torenbosch has a mixed media sculpture/object on display that is made of 28 fluorescent light tubes and shaped something like a cut diamond (4,100 euro) In addition, there is a Donald Judd like conceptual piece consisting of 14 large bricks which appear to have been carelessly spray painted. The bricks are arranged in a long line five and one half meters long. Overall dimensions: 20x540x60 cms., @ 3,900 eruo...Thomas Winkler paints eight rectangles on a canvas that first has been painted gray. In two of the three pieces hanging, the rectangles are of various colors and in the remaining canvas each of the rectangles is in a shade of gray. (98x149 cms. acrylic @ 4,000 euro.) Until 25th October. www.xs2art.com

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Zhang Haiying's "Anti-Vice" is at Willem Kerseboom modern & contemporary art (Leidsegracht 38). The title refers to the subject matter: ladies of the oldest profession. But that information isn't necessary for appreciating the work. The artist is unusual from the Chinese I have seen thus far in that he paints in b/w and shades of gray. There are some paintings that have traces of maroon which is often nearly not noticeable. As to the imagery, there is something almost philosophical. We never really see any of the ladies' faces. We view them from the back or their hair covers the face; and philosophical because the prostitute has often been considered a non person, necessary to society but not part of it. Without identity. The brush work is quick and the paint at times appears to been applied with slash like movements. The resulting effect is a motion and the ladies pictured come alive. The artist is represented in London by the Saatchi Gallery, which has purchased three canvases. (200x100 cms., @ 15,000 euro; 200x160 cms., @ 20,000 euro; 200x300 cms., @ 35,000 euro.) Until ? www.kerseboom.com

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At GALERIE bart (Bloemgracht 2) Erik Buijs gives us two shows or better yet, two sides of his creative ouevre. He is hard to classify as to technique. Is he a sculptor or does he make objects? No matter. Six "objects" are like a four dimensional schematic outline of airplanes or automobiles and made of thin wire. They are only about five to fifteen cms. long and hanging on the wall, however they could rest on a table or shelf as well. The other body of work consists of humanoid type figures made of plaster. In two of the objects, their are four figures and they all come from the same mold. In one, the artist has added 14 PVC tubes and in another three long strips of wood and 15 rocks. (9,500 & 10,000 euro, respectively.) In the window, of the gallery, is a 215 cms., high example of his work. It is a ladder with a humanoid atop it with what appears to be an airplane strapped to his back. (7,500 euro) Until 8th November. www.galeriebart.nl

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Galerie Lieve Hemel (Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 3) is showing Bernard Verkaaik. He is a hyper-realist who does conventional still-lifes. His paintings, in oil, are very simple. The imagery consist of everyday subject matter: garlic bulbs, onions, clay crocks, eggs and glass flasks. Hey, you say the subject matter bores you? Read on. His mastery of light makes each of these paintings very special. One artist, who was at the opening, said, with envy in his voice, "I wish I could paint an onion like that!" Verkaaik's work is much appreciated; there were nine red dots plus two green at the opening. The show was nearly sold out. Euro total for the nine, 288,000. And take it from 3D, there's nothing boring about that! (90x110 cms., @ 40,000 euro; 90x120 cms., @ 60,000.) Until ? www.lievehemel.nl

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galerie ra (Vijzelstraat 80) presented a small group show with three artist each coming from a different direction. Floor Max makes burnt silver broaches that look like flowers which have been placed in a book and flattened. The meticulous details are from a filigree of thin wires and as intricate as the real thing. (180-450 euro.)...Floor Mommersteep fashions bead like material into necklaces, broaches and rings of various designs and configurations. Kitschy and fun work. Nine red dots. (180-450 euro.)...Paul Derrez, the owner of the gallery, displays his metal work which consist of bowls, beakers and boxes (the latter are not "box" shaped but round). There are a couple examples of sugar and creamery silver sets each with "red ears" made from acrylic as the handles. (900 euro). A "chocolate" box and a "beaker with blues ears" are especially nice (600 and 480 respectively). Included are a couple of small bowls with Japanese lacquer. Until 5th November. www.galerie-ra.nl

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At STELTMAN GALERIES (Prisenngracht 799) there is a very unusual exhibition. The artist is Michael Parkes, an American, who has lived in Spain for over 30 years. He is a hyper-realist with a strong influence of fantasy. I bought two of his lithos about 25 years ago and, interestingly enough, neither his style nor subject matter has changed much over the years. However, he is not derivative of himself in the sense that Bernard Buffett is. The work always looks fresh. His drawings are exquisite; minimal illustrations but meticulous in detail. He does hair in both his paintings and drawings where you can almost count each strain. His bronzes are in a word: dramatic!

What is unusual about this show is the source of the work. There was a Dutch collector who, over the course of nearly 30 years, collected 250 works by Parkes: paintings, drawings, bronzes and prints (he had a complete collection of the latter). There were two other artists that the collector specialized in and in my one visit to his home, in a small village outside of Utrecht, I was amazed how he had balanced his display of the three. The man died a year ago and I have not mentioned his name because the catalog for the show does not mention it, but instead makes reference to ownership as: Property of a Gentleman. This information is important to any prospective buyer because they have the opportunity to select from the "first selection" of each exhibition of Parkes' work between the years 1977-2001 when the Steltman Gallery represented him, exclusively and worldwide. The "gentleman" often bought out the show before the opening. There is a mystery too. For what purpose? He never sold from this collection nor did he make any provisions as to how it should be disposed of at his death. His children have commissioned Geritt Steltman to disperse the collection. Steltman is attempting to keep it in-total as much as possible. In the mean time, there is this representation being offered. The first pick of every show. A rare opportunity for any serious collector. Drawings @ 20,000 euro. Oils @ 50,000 euros. A beautiful 90 pages catalog is available. Until 10th January 2009. www.steltman.com

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Well, 3D missed part of this exhibition. The UMBRELLART ROADSHOW (@Chiellerie Galleru, Raamgracht 58) the part that began at Nieuwmarkt. Those who started, at that point, were given an umbrella to carry from that location to the nearby gallery, about a ten minute walk. Each umbrella had been embellished with a painting and/or design by artists from around the world.

Actually, in some ways, the title of the show was a misnomer. There was much more than only painted umbrellas; it included installations, paintings, drawings, print work, t-shirts, sculpture, bags, bike saddle bags etc. And the announcement, 3D received, said "40 umbrellas" but I counted only 15 (there was an after party at O301 and , perhaps, that's where the rest were). The decorated umbrellas sported a variety of styles. some fun and some serious. The best part is that everything is priced to be sold: caps @ 20 euro to an installation "Break Out" (170x50 cms.,) @ 1,000 euro and everything in between; "Raining Karma," a painting @ 150 euro; "An Addict Behind Every Door," a painting, @ 350 euro; Anyway, you get the idea. Everything is cheap. But, hurry, until 9th October. www.xstreets.blogspot.com

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Sunday:

Well, I was scheduled to make my once a year journey to an exhibition outside of Amsterdam, but my driver called and canceled. There where, I think, three or so openings on the 3D List, but it rained and it rained and it rained. The angels, or someone, was crying crocodile tears. I thought, "The hell with it." Read from a book, took a nap and read some more. Sorry. Is 3D getting old? Say it ain't so, Joe!

WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Reminder: Last weekend, at an opening, a 3D List reader came up to me to complain that two openings I had listed, in fact, did not happen. I pointed out that there had been a "?" before each of them. Again, I use several sources. If one or two of these source list an open and I have not received an invitation even though I am on the gallery's mailing list, I do check the gallery web-site. However some gallery's do not have well tended web-sites and there is no info therefore I cannot verify one way or another. Thus, the "?" And the "*" indicates the time listed may be incorrect.

THURSDAY: 9th October 2008

Premsela21's inaugural FreeDesigndom ends the 12th of October. See www.premsela21.nl for closing program.

19:30 De Nieuwe Kerk (Dam). Debate: Black talk-Multimedia talk." Sanne van Osnabrugge and Clarice Gargard in debate. "Gratis voor tentoonstellingsbezoekers." In Dutch, I assume.

FRIDAY: 10th October

16-19:00 Galerie Stoker (Witte de Withstr 124). Renske Schuilenga. www.stoker.nl

17-19:00 ARTTRA GALLERY (Tweede Roomdwarsstraat 4). Katelijne Wortd and Gerard Bleeker. www.arttra.com

17:00 de Chiellerie (Raamgracht 58) Klaske Beeksma, "Assemblages, beelden, objecten."

SATURDAY: 11th October

12-18:00 Open Atelieries De Baarsje, central exposition: Chassekerk (Chassestraat 80).www.openatelierroutedebaarsjes.nl

14-18:00 de Salon (Wolvenstraat 13). Herman Deen (the co-gallery holder) shows his paintings and sculptures. www.galerie-de-salon.nl

12-18:00 RETORT (Aalsmeerweg 103). This is the 10th Anniversary of a group of ateliers that also support an art space. ALL 34 ateliers will be open. Many activities are planned: music, poetry reading, etc. No mention of an opening party though. More info at: www.retort10jaar.nl

(?)16-18:00 AdK Actuele Kunst (Prinsegracht 534). "Beeldgeheugen" installation of Els ter Horst. www.adkactuelkunst.nl

16-18:00 AYACS (Keizersgracht 166). "Het rijk der Fabeler," Geert Bartelink, paintings. www.ayacs.nl

16-18:00 Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843). Terry Thompson, work on paper and paintings and sculpture. Ton van Kints, "Verhuisbericht." www.galerie-clement.nl

17-19:00 Witzenhausen Gallery (Hazenstraat 60) "Iris n slumberland," Iris Roskam, glass and ceramic sculpture. RSVP to invite required. www.witzenhausengallery.

(?)17-19:00* F. van Dieten (Spuistraat 270) Henk Visch.

(?)17-19:00 Grimm Fine Art (Keizersgracht 82). Miguel Ybane

17-19:00 SLEWE (Kerkstrat 105). Jan Roeland, paintings. www.slewe.nl

(?) 17-19:00 Galerie smits (Fokke Simonzstraat 29). Michiel van der Zanden, "Image Building," paintings.

17-19:00 LIJNBAANSGRACHT GROUP #314-318)

The Living Room: Isabella Werkhoven, paintings. www.thelivingroomgallery.nl

VOUSETES ICI: Mary Waters.

Lumen Travo: Rini Hurkmans

Van Wijngaarden Hakkens: Roderijk Henderson, photography.

20-@24:00 P///AKT (Zeeburgerpad 53). "State of Delusion," Erik Olofsen.

SUNDAY: 12th October

12-18:00 Open Ateliers De Baarsje. (See Saturday for more info.)

12-18:00 RETORT (see Saturday)

14-18:00 de Salon (see Saturday)

15:00 Gallery Utrecht (Prinsengracht 572). Group show: Paul Delmee, Victor Muller and Theo Mackaay. Music: Gitarseque.

15:00 Jos Art (KNSM-laan). Anneke Oele (director of ArtAmsterdam) and Linda Boersma are co-curators presenting the work of 12 artists.

MONDAY: 13th October

14:00 Galerie Mokum (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 334). Exposition and charity auction: "Birma in Beeld," 14 photographers and 23 photos on view to be auction at Glerun Auctioneers, 19th October. www.birmafonds.nl & www.birmainbeeld.nl

TUESDAY: 14th October

17:00 de Ateliers (Stadhouderskade 86). Lecture: Runa Islam. Entry: 4 euro. RSVP: de-ateliers.nl

Another full weekend and one of the years last open atelier adventures. 3D saw a slew of red dots at a couple of galleries last week and I hope to see that repeated this weekend. Recession? Only you can make a recession. Keep an artist's pocket full of loose change and the world goes round like grease lightning. Prepare for the holidays. Start looking for that special gift for the unique friend...and no better place than to find it than at a gallery.

There is 3D latching on to a lightning bolt and still getting a charge out of life...the second time around...or is it the third?