The 3d List week 34 by Daniel R. Gould. Amsterdam art, galleries and museums

Wouldn't it be nice...wouldn't it be loverly...wouldn't it be like paradise to walk into "art amsterdam '09" and be handed, at the entrance, a coupon with a 100,000 euro sign on it that would allow you to buy the pieces of art on exhibition that caught your eye and tickled your fancy. Strangely enough, a few young collectors will have that chance...almost. On Friday, 15th May, there is a special program, sponsored by SNS Reaal Fonds, called "Young & Collecting. On that day 70 "beginner art collectors" aged between 17 and 22 will spend the day at the fair and be accompanied by "renown art collectors whom they can ask for advice on the subject of collecting." 3D seems to recall that all or some of these young collectors will "purchase" an art piece which will be paid for by SNS Reaal Fonds and it will go into the foundation's collection. Oh well, close, but no brass ring. Could not find any info on how YOU can be one of the 70. Try e-mailing the "artamsterdam" PR director, Ingrid Looijmans: i.looijmans@rai.nl. But, I digress.

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Art Fair Review: "art amsterdam '09"

Museum Review: Hermitage for Children

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week:

BITS & PIECES:

Seen stenciled in large letters on a window at the beginning of the Plantje Middenlaan: "Advertising Is Dead. Long Live Advertising." J. Walter Thompson where are you when we need you.

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3D often says that one of the great mysteries to living in the Netherlands is the fact that no matter the direction you are riding your bike on a windy day the wind is always in your face. I came across this quotation which may or may not have anything to do with the afore mentioned phenonmenon: "There is no such thing as a favorable wind for a man who has no idea where he is going." Hey, this was said by the Roman Seneca (4BC-65AD).

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The Richard Avedon exhibition closed on the 13th of May. 3D was biking past the museum on Tuesday and saw a line of about 10 meters. Can't wait to see the number who attended this fantastic show. If you did and would like to read more about this icon of 20th century photography check out: www.nytimes.com, "How Avedon Blurred His Own Image," by Cathy Horyn (13th May).

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In the same issue of the New York Times on-line edition is an article titled, "For Explorer Scouts, Good Deeds Have Whole New Meaning," by Jennifer Steinhauer (13th May). Only in America...the Boy Scouts of America have a new direction. Teen age boys and girls---as young as 14---who are member of The Explorers, an affiliate of the BSA, are being trained to help in the war against terror and illegal immigration. It is eerie to view a photograph of these young super patriots holding 9 mm automatic pistols and submachine guns, not to mention, scary. Cathy Noriego, 16, said she was attracted to the program by the guns. Perhaps "Bonnie" will find her "Clyde" in this ill thought-out program.

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To drink or not to drink...that is the question. Of course when you read that statement you immediately assume that the "drink" is an alcoholic one. Philip Hunter, in the British magazine PROSPECT, has called "attention to research supporting the drink-to-inspiration idea: 15% of Caucasians [that's you whiteman] have what is known as the 'G-variant gene.' It makes alcohol behave like an opiate, promising a pleasurable endorphin release that---rather than makng people drowsy or gloomy---could foster creativity...and people with this gene variant also seem more prone to alcoholism." So, fellow artist, careful.

Famous creative people who imbibed excessively include Winston Churchill (he wass also a painter) who said, "Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than it has taken out of me." And Mark Twain's position was, "My vices protect me but they would assassinate you." Nor should we forget a memorable statement by Abe Lincoln who on his appointment of Ulysesy S. Grant to lead the Union Army was remonstrated by a cabinet member who said, "But Mr. President, Grant drinks a liter of whiskey a day!" Honest Abe looked at him and said, "Find out what brand of whiskey he drinks and send a couple of cases to all my generals." And here's to you...

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ART FAIR REVIEW: "artamsterdam '09"

Where to begin?...Reviewing an art fair is a real challenge. There is so much to see and almost everything is candy to the eye. Fortunately, Anneke Oele, the soon to depart director for the last seven years, has limited the number of galleries that can attend and exhibit. This year she has emulated a concept used by the Basel Art Fair that focuses solo exhibitions. But she has modified the approach and if the gallery has more than 25 square meters they can show other artists they represent as well. 3D has decided to discuss only the solo artist so as to cover as many galleries as is possible; and I have endeavoured to profile as many galleries as possible, I was at the fair on Wednesday from 10:30 until 20:30, I saw everything and made notes ofna respectable percentage of the artists showing. So, with out further ado...on with the show....

Before talking about "art" let's first talk about the "art of book design." The first book that caught my attention was titled, "West: Annual #1," published in Den Haag by West gallery. This is a real book collectors collectable. It is an unbelievable response to the commercial side of the avant gardé. That means you don't need to know anything about art and/or book collecting to know this publication is very special. From the hot pink spine to a black to gray/brown cover and backcover slabs---both of which radiates---to the inside, it shows imagination, taste and forget-the-cost mentality. Good photography is the beginning section on superb quality high gloss paper which makes it obvious that it was manufactured at great expense. As to the photography itself, well, enjoy. This is followed by text in English, then Dutch. Both languages have their own typeface/font design; the English section is, well, elegant and quaint. The Dutch font is evocative of the 19th century. This is followed by a visual biography of the several artists that have contributed to writing the text.

Another book that is a stunner and for 607+ reasons is titled "Art Pie;" and is published by the Art Pie Foundation which is a segment of the Sandberg Institute. It is oversized and measures 32x22 cms., and is a real steal at 20 euro. 3D is sure it cost that or more to produce. The cover itself is visually vibrant with its diverse color contrast and embossing which is subtle but very assertive...but you gotta see it and feel it...the ladies will go mad, well if they are into body buldres that is...anyway, fantastic! Between the covers it is a visual orgy for the eyes. There are 607 photographs---all credited---many of which are full page reproductions.

What makes it more exciting to look at is that it was "Made in China." And you are reminded of that on every alternatng page. And it is important because the Chinese do color differently than we do it in the west. Photo #18 is a perfect example; the colors are garish carnival neon and seem to be a bit off, but beautiful as is most of the other 606 photos. The design is by Coralie Vogelaar; the initiative for the book was by Professor Qin Jian and Jos Houweling.

...And the winner is...The Thiema Award was short listed to five young artists. Samples of their work are on display at their booth. How the judges were able to make a decision as to the winner is anyone's guess; all the artists and their work seems to be deserving. But, they did. Gijs van Lith (represented by Galerie bart who will have an opening for him this Saturday) was the one. The only way to describe these busy paintings is to say he is a representational expressionist. At first glance the imagery is so vague that it isn't really there. You feel it more than see it. But you do get off on searching it out and the end result is rewarding.

What follows is by gallery-by-gallery review of their featured "solo" artist:

Joris Kuipers is showing at GALERIE10 (Utrecht) with a fabulous installation...and this is the second time 3D has seen his work. The first time was at Chellerie in a show curated by Jan van der Ploeg. Kuipers paints on paper then cuts-out a form which sort of resembles flowers. He then arranges it all into a three dimensional configuration and as an installation is it breathtaking. www.galerie10.nl

Ma Hui is at Galerie Clement's space. She began her artistic life as a print maker. The first show 3D saw of her's was 20 years ago. I liked the simplicity and her use of b/w which was generally complimented with a dab of red. She has evolved. You could say she now does photography, but that doesn't say much about what she does do. Her photos are either by her of scanned reproductions she has found in Chinese archieves. She embellishes them with material, wire, thread and keys...keys? and, oh yeah, a dab of red. www.galerie-clement.nl

Erzsi Pennings is at Buro Dijkstra (Rotterdam) and is an artist that 3D expects to still be reviewing 20 years from now---if still alive---as I did with the above. She is young and at the very sunrise of her career. She has a unique voice. Everything on show is a large portrait, but not in any style you have seen before. Most pieces are mixed -media. In three or four works she uses leather, but in each case a different type and it is never apparent. www.burodijkstra.com

Noriko Ito is at Willem Kerseboom gallery. At first glance this Japanese Manga artist's work appears to be saccharin sweet. But give it a few moments and it comes alive with elements of reality which creates an unexpected tension. Her little girl portraits are not mirrors of Barbie Doll and they make you think! www.kerseboom.com

Jan Henderikse shows at the BORZO booth. Henderikse has been around forever on the art scene. Edy de Wilde (former director of the Stedelijk Museum) gave him a show back in the 60s or 70s titled, "Jan Henderikse Uses Common Cents." Well, it was a pun and to understand it, you gotta see his work at this show. He says, "I've been working with money for a long time...not to just spend it...but also to use it in my art." There is a bale of American currency that he said represents at least $250,000,000. But don't bother trying to steal it unless you have lots of glue to restore it to its original dimensions since it has been shreded by the Federal Reserve. However, there is a takeway button which contains real American greenbacks...unfortunately, all also shreded. www.borzo.com

Willem Weismann hangs his work at GALERIE bart. He is a colorist to the nth degree. He combines the figurative with the representational and sort of frames it all with expressionistic embellishments; and there is humor. Good brush work. www.galeriebart.nl

Hans Op de Beeck is at RON MANDOS with b/w photographs. All are representational but could accurately be described as linear abstractions in the way he captured the imagery. What he does that is so unusual is to concentrate on the contrast of light in any particular surrounding and with does so with amazing results. www.ronmandos.nl

OFF THE RECORD is an initiative of the Stedelijk Museum. It is an eye opening exhibition of photography and video because it is so diverse+ and was not intended as photography being "art." To wit: "Guest curator Hans Aarsman...invited artists to submit work prompted by the urge to record, without any direct intention to create a work of art, and in which chance and discovery play a major role." There were 470 submissions and a good handful of artists were selected. Each has several works represented. One "artist" is not an artist, but a lady who for 20 or so years has been taking photos of people celebrating Carnival in the south of Holland to the work of Erik Fens who denies being an artist and submitted a number of photos of two trees reflected in the roof a different automobiles parked three floors below his balcony. Enjoy! Off the Record is part of "Stedelijk Goes to Town" program. www.stedelijkindestad.nl

Davd Jablonowski shows at Galerie Fons Welters with a truly monumental piece of sculpture in both size and style that measures four meters high and 120 and 90 cms wide. . Predominantly, it is b/w with gray accents and stunning to look at. The rest of his work on dsiplay is also monumnetal in style but with various add-ons which help to define both the form and image. www.fonswelters.nl

Charlie Roberts (USA) is at VOUS ETES ICI. He works on paper and with wood. His work is almost always whinmsical and very colorfully. The wood chromatic wood carvings resemble American Indian totem poles. www.vousetesici.nl

Cao Dan (Chinese) is at Yoshiko Matsumoto Gallery/Edward Pranger Oriental Art Gallery with very colorful work and with an unusual technique. He sketches on a PC using PhotoShop software. Then he prints out the image and makes a painting of the imagery with amazing results. www.prangergallery.com

Oliver Lanz (German) shows at TEN HAAF PROJECTS. He is an expressionist that works in pastel colors that come across like neon. The colors help of course, fluorescent pinks, oranges and yellows. www.tenhaafprojects.com

Riki Mijling is at Gallery nine with her sculpture work which is in steel and iron...nicely rusted. It never matters what size her work is it is always monumnetal. She achieves the effect by creating clean lines and forms; combining rectangles with other rectangles, but in unexpected unions. Some of these pieces are flat wall hangings so in a sense they are not sculptures just elegant pieces of metal...and that ain't bad. www.gallerynine.nl

Thomas Elshuis hangs photography at "g_i_s_t galerie." And this is photographic work you have not seen before. But in a sense it is NOT his photographic work...or more properly said, NOT his photographs but is his photography. Confused? Here's the story. A family friend left to him photographs the person had taken during the 50s and 60s. Elshuis has scanned these "relics" into his PC and using the software, PhotoShop, he does things to them...and brilliantly, too. www.gistgalerie.nl

Fang Nan (Korea) is hanging work at "canvas international art." His work is represeantational realism with a contemporary impressionistic bent. He sometimes plays with linear abstraction and at other times with color and sometimes just has fun. www.canvas-art.nl

Rachid Ben Ali (Dutch) is at Galerie Moderne (Silkeborg, Denmark) and has recently been confined to a mental hospital which may account for some of the elements in his work. The latter is a combination of street art and figurative expressionism. Very good colorist and he includes typographical text with pithy statements like: "Rainbows above the umbrella." www.rachidbenali.com

Takashi Suzuki (Japan) is showing at Gallery Terashita (Tokyo) and paints monochromatic works and limits the variety of colors on his pallet. He favors blue and red shades and in each case the hues vary subtly. There is both work on paper and on canvas on display. He often combines pieces as a diptych or triptych but the latter example is arranged in an unconventional way. www.gallery-terashita.com

Kyungwoo Chun is at the Van Zoetendaal stand with an installation and examples of his photography. The installation is a "work in progress" and interactive with and it is the fair goers doing all the work. You are invited to write on the red walls the names of the people who have influenced you. You are given one minute and to keep your attention on the wall as opposed to on the second hand of a clock you are given ear phones and an iPod which seranades you for 60 seconds. 3D was happy to take part, though I did step outside of the rules a bit. Chun's comment was, "Oh, well!" Also on view is a rather interesting conceptual photographic series. Chun went looking for 1,000 other Chuns in China. He then---and with the help of associates---photographed each of them. tTe photo was made into a postcard and sent to them---in an envelope---inviting them to return it via the ordinary mail. There are 99 damaged examples on display; the result of going through the Chinese postal system. No web-site on press release.

Mathias Schmied shows at CONTEMPO GALERIE (Rotterdam). To start with, he cuts out "stencils." There are four spectacular examples of this technique in the form of human skulls and each measures about 250x40 cms., and each has lots of pastel colors which takes one's concentration off the morbid part of the imagery. There are two more skulls from this "skull series" but executed in a completely different way and in such a way that the skull is nearly subliminal. www.contempo.info

J.M. Vokskuil hangs his work at Galerie Rob de Vries (Haarlem). Here is a conceptualist minimalist that will get your attention. He does shaped canvases which tend to be monochromic and he does each and everyone in a dramatic fashion. Each is captivating; and each for its own reason. www.galerierobdevries.nl

Caroline Coolen is at "annahakkens gallery" in a near repeat of her recent exhibition at the gallery. At that exhibition she did a large wall painting which was complimented with sculptured objects. She has done another wall painting for the fair and there are two sculptures of wolves that accent it. www.annahakkens.com

Roland Schimmel, at "witzenhuisen GALLERY" does...what? Abstract? Expressionistic? Anyway, each work is filled with orbs. Those that dominate your attention are in black; the others in various colors, but nearly subliminal. Some pieces may make you dizzy. Hey, folks, that's the power of art. No invite with web-site address available.

Venessa Tane Phafl is at Reuten Galerie's booth. She works in charcol with some being figurative and some linear abstractions, but ALL with drama. www.galerie.nl/reuten

Gery De Smet shows at Steendrukkerij Amsterdam and he is a contemporary impressionist who creates views of the earth landscape and in this exhibition there is a more defining theme: "All circuits are closed." This refers to Formula 1 circuits and that is what we see from an elevation of say 1,000 meters or so, But that isn't really the point. www.steendrukkerij.com

Arjan Janssen is at Galerie Hein Elferink (Staphorst) with conceptual abstract minimalism. He collects rectangles and squares in black and grays and fuses them together into smple geometric patterns and in sizes ranging from A4, on paper, to large canvases. www.heinelferink.nl

Cludia Rogge (German) does photography and exhibits at Galerie Voss (Düsseldorf, Germany). These are not Brownie snapshots, they measure 150x200 and 170x250 cms. That's big for a photograph. Hard to fit in the wallet. But, I digress...Her work is minimal in colors and has truly great contrasts and she add conceptual redundancy to the mix---which enhances the subtle nuances---and you get a piece that is uniquely spectacular. The tomato orgy is, well, a bloody mess...

Lara De Moor is at Galerie Maria Chailloux with her representational style but that says nothing about what these oils project. The compositions are sometimes heavy on dark contrast, but still colorful. Neat trick. Perspective is another element that intrigues the artist and adds to the fact that she has a good command of light and you get very pleasing work. www.chailloux.nl

Marcel van Eeden shows at Wetering Galerie with 21 works on three walls. The walls feature an expressionistic b/w drawings, washes and paintings and with the exception of four pieces all his work is in b/w. Some pieces look like layout art for a poster or an advert. He seems to emulate the style of several other artist from piece to piece. www.weteringgalerie.nl

Andrea Bender is at Jos Art. Her style is unusual. The work is representational, but the way she achieves the effect is with a unique techniue that combines several different elements. While there is much color, there is also the use of a black outline which emphasizes the imagery. www.josart.nl

Pieter Slagboom hangs at Krammig & Pepper Conctemporary (Berlin) with figurative geometric expressionism? Well, there's lots of colors and the style has something that refelcts Gicocametti b/w drawings. Anyway, fun work. www.krammig-pepper.com

H. Kant is at Galerie/Kunsthandel De Rijk (The Hague) and is a sculptor that works with aluminium. Most of her work is egg shaped, but that only defines one aspect of it: The form. What she does with this is the artisitc part. There are several variations to how she disects these "eggs." Some create illusions that seem almost unreal or holographic. All are monumnetal.

Herman de Vries exhibits at ART AFFAIRS. He is a conceptualist that approaches the style from different directions. There are several examples of collage work using natural materials like leaves and reeds. the main attraction is a four meter long by two meter high colorful piece consisting of only typography. It is visually exciting, but 3D could NOT make sense of what he has to say if anything. www.artaffairs.net

Remco Torenbosch is at Aschenbach & Hofner Galleries with a....hmmmm, well, this is the epitome of minimalism and not for everyone. On the black carpeted floor are two slabs of mdf measuring 240x150 each. And that's it. Oh, yeah, the black rug is not incuded in the price.

Hmmm, 3D no longer remembers who was the "solo artist." Stephan Fritish or Matthias Köster both at Galerie Ebbers (Kranenburg, Germany). I made notes concerning each of them. The latter does oils on aluminium in the POP School tradition, but it is there that any correlaton ends. There is something about his portraits which are both hauntng and captivating. Stephan Fritsch is an expressionist who comes from another direction from his cohorts in colors and the way he expresses them. www.galerie-ebbers.de

Angel Garraza is at De Witte Voet with ceramic work that is not only monumnetal in style but sometimes in size as well. The designs are indescribable because there are so many unexpected nuances. In some pieces there is a contrast created by both a color and a form. 36 pieces, on the wall, is sold as a set. Everyone is diffferent but everyone is true to the other much like a family group photograph.

Joost Speet is exhibiting at Galerie PETIT with bronze work. He does his sculpturing in several diverse forms which range from those that emulate tree stumps to what looks like an upside down pawn from a chess set. In between there are polarized extremes in a variety of individually designs that can be described as tear drops to bombs. Hmmm. www.galeriepetit.nl

Henk Hage is at Galerie Josine Bokhoven with expressionistic watercolors. But there are elements in each work that seems to create a feel of compositonal forms. www.galeriejosinbokhoven.nl

Henk Stallinga shows at Serieuze Zaken Studioos (and as I recall, he was not the featured artist) but, well, he got my attention because of his utilitarian conceptual forms. On the wall is a linear abstraction in bright fire engine red that is also a mirror. And on a table there is a stereo/TV combination which looks like a jelly fish, also in the same shade of red. 3D was curious about the price: 37,000 euro. Well, both pieces are really prototypes looking for a manufacturer.

Rob Nypels is at Galerie 'EEWAL' Amsterdam with out of focus photographs. Go figure...but, wait, the resulting effects are pleasing to the eye as well as the aesthetic consciousness. The colors come through and the forms remain though they are no longer distracting from the imagery. Some things---like trees---we now see differently. A new perepctive. www.galerie-eewal.nl

Philip Akkerman is at TORCH & Son with his selfportraits. On one wall there is a graphic design done as wall paper and five pieces are attached to it. It has been sold. You can custom order the wall paper though and there are an endless number of Akkerman's self portraits to fill in the spaces.

Annemarie Busschers exhibits at Galerie Mokum with huge (240x160 and 300x160 cms.,) portraits in mixed-media. She uses color pencil, oil, acyrlic and material to achieve these very realisitc images. She highlights these mirror like images with backgrounds that are sometimes expressionist and sometimes geometric abstractions. There were four red dots and one green...and they are not cheap! www.galeriemokum.com

Carolien Smit, at Flatland Gallery (Utrecht) is, well, fantastic with her ceramic work. Everything is figurative, sorta. 3D means it is a rabbit you have seen before but it is unlike any rabbit you have seen before. And for good measure there are a couple of Siamese Twins included. www.flatlandgallery.com

Christien Jaspars is at Kahmann Gallery (née: Hup) with b/w photos that are often out of focus, but always dramatic. www.kahmanngallery.com

Adam Colton exhbits at SLEWE and works in white. He does it on white paper---neat trick, or is it illusion? He also does it in polyester and then throws us a bone, literally. But to the latter piece he adds plaster and colored pencil to the bone artifact. Cool! www.slewe.nl

Marya Kazoun (Lebanon) is at VENICEPROJECTS (Samen, Switzerland) with an entire booth as an installation. His "canvases" range from expressionistic to dimensional. Add to this beautifully hand blown glass in organic forms and its all eye-candy.

Ayako Rokkaku continues where she left off at last year's fair when she did a wall painting at the Gallery Delaive booth over the course of the fair. It measures about three meters by seven meters in a rainbow of colors. If you have not seen this young Japanese artist it is about time. She is a colorist which creates figurative expressionisitc canvases that would make an impressionist´s eyes light up. www.gallerydelaive.com

Marliz Frencken shows at Stefan Stux Gallery (New York, USA). Hmmm...are these dolls? Figurines? or conceptual figurative sculptures? Hard to say. Each of the 22 pieces on exhibit is trully an unique example. Some are elaborate and seem to tell a story. A few are simple minimalistic and monumnetal. www.stuxgallery.com

Paul Anker Bech exhibits at Galleri Franz Pedersen (Horsens, Denmark) with a unique painting technique that combines the elements of style with contemporary impressionism, with expressionism to create representational landscapes. His style truly does not reflect any other artist 3D has seen. He is inventive, imagnative and irresistable. Quality work with prices to match...and rightly so. Four red dots. www.galleri-franzpedersen.dk

Jurriaan Molenaar is at Galerie Tanya Rumpff (Haarlem) with linear abstractions of building interiors and exteriors. Heavy on the prespectives with an interesting technique of enhancing the effect. Dramatic results. Nice work. www.galerietanyarumpff.nl

Armando is alive and well after the tragic fire that destroyed a great body of his work. He is showing at Galerie Willy Schoots (Eindhoven) with an excellent representation of his paintings an sculpture pieces.

Marius Lut is at West (Den Haag). He is a minimalistic conceptualist who makes monochromatic or two tone canvases. One hanging is a white canvas on a white wall. Hey, it works. Also, during the fair there are several live performances by Wannes Goetschaclkx. He makes things and thens makes them work and puts himself at the center of the action. 3D asked him the times of these happenings and he pointed to the gallery holder and said, "When I am told." Oh, this is where I got a piece of "art" that is disguised as a book. www.galeriewest.nl

What better place to end then with congratulation to Lucassen who is celebrating his 70th birthday with his solo exhibition at Galerie Nouvelles Images (Den Haag). He is well represented with a large variety of his work. Nice show. www.nouvellesimages.nl

A final note: There is a take away 30 page magazine titled "A: ANNEKE!" prepared by Kunstbeeld. It is a tribute to Anneke Oele for her years of developing "artamsterdam" into making it, once again, a world class art fair. And the tribute closes with a reproduction of a poster that reads: "Art is not the only answer but it makes a difference." And that is what she tried to demonstrate.

3D apologizes for everything: the mistakes, the lack of web-sites for some galleries (it was because it was not on the invite or there was no invite); and all the other things that are sure to have gone wrong as he desparately tried to meet his self imposed deadline of having this 3D List in the "mail" by 18:00 Thursday, but failed by an hour!

MUSEUM REVIEW: Hermitage for Children

The Hermitage for Children has already been functioning since 2004 when the Hermitage Amsterdam first opened. "Art and culture are important in children's education," says the press release explaining the program. "It will be unique in the Netherlands in having so many square meters in a museum reserved for educational programs." There will be five workshops, two classrooms, a children's canteen, as well as, a children's gift shop. The museum expects to attract 20,000 children during the years 2009-2010.

The purpose of this endeavour is to discover children with artistic talent. Most children come more often than not come onto contact with art and museums only through school trips. And more and more children in Amsterdam come from ethnic cultures with little or no knowledge of the art culture. The Hermitage Children Museum is reaching out to these groups as actively as to any other demographic group. The staff is working with the various district authorities in Amsterdam to contact them to provide "a rich variety of children" for the program. In addition, "guest towns" from the province of North Holland are invited to participate.

Another unique aspect of the program is its methodolgy. During the 60s, in the Netherlands, "the srict , dogmatic and academic approach to education was abanoned" and exphasis was focused on the creative process. However, in Russia, the old and true academic approach remained in operation. Of course, each style of education has its plus and minus factors. So this museum's approach is "the fusion of the best from two traditions: free expression from the Netherlands and the academic tradition from Russia."

The program is ambitious and consist of three parts: 1. Preparation for the school program with three to four web lessons; 2. Tour of the exhibition; 3. Workshops. It is worth noting here that the workshops are designed around the featured exhibition at the main museum. The practical experience of art as well as the academic. And there will be a strong emphasis on something called "social inclusion" (A British term and developed there) that reaches out to creative talented children without concern for race, money, faith or education.

Funding for this ambitious program comes from VSBfonds and Prince Bernhard Culture Fund. The latter will provide funds for the acquisition and supply of materials, but the main funding will come from VSBfonds and is being spent for the renovation and operation of the Hermitage for Children. Its raison d'être "...is to have as many people as possible experience, create, learn from and enjoy culture." And you can become a "talent scout." Should you have a niece, nephew, grandchild, and/or neighbor who you think draws pretty pictures pass on this information, to their parents, concerning this laudable program.

Oh, nearly forgot...a very unusual initiative for the museum is the special program that does birthday parties for children which are incorporated into the ambiance of the museum and includes the children's workshop program. For those with discresionary funds, it cost 250 euro and the maximum number of children allowed is 15. Of course, if you don't have a lot of money, you might arrange with the parents of each child invited to pay the tarrif for their offspring.

The Hermitage for Children will open the 20th of June. More info: www.hermitage.nl; www.vsbfonds.nl

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WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

Friday:

Luisa Lambri (Italy) is at Galerie Paul Andriesse (Gebouw Detroit, Withoedenveem 8). According to a description of her work she "...uses photography to redefine the ways we physically and mentally experience architectural space." Well, with the exception of three examples, this is neither apparent nor is it really relevant. The work is all in "b/w" or so 3D thought. I was informed that they are actually "color" photographs. I couldn't "see" any color nor what defined the distinction nor why it was important. No matter. The nuances are so subtle that it is really immaterial. The photographer herself told me that thjere was a lot of green and yellow. Okay.

A series of five could be described as conceptual linear studies in b/w. Each hass the same imagery of arcs emanating from a focal point. But each arc varies in intensity from white to gray to almost black. No two are the same. Another series of three is representational by there is a linear perspective that defines the bottom third and defines a baarely vuisual "landscape" before everything disappears into the sky. What creates the attention is the fact that a large percentage of the imagery is dominated by the glare of the sun which is represented as a blank white space. (All are laserchrome prints in an edition of five; 63.5x74.9 cms., @ 7,000 euro; 116x95.7 cms., @ 10,300 euro.) Until 13th June. www.galeries.nl/andriesse

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2x2 projects (Veemkade 350) hangs an unusual exhibition and not many artists can mount a show like this. Hans Eijkelboom has photos of himself from almost the beginning to the present, 1949-2009. It makes for an interesting viewing. Some years ago, 3D saw a similar show of his at another Amsterdam gallery, however this one has added another element. Each photo is framed with a reproduction of a print advert for a camera. We have the opportunity to follow a revolutionary period for the camera's development. The technology has radically changed during the last 50 years far more than its changes during the first 125+. The advert pictured for 1949 is an AGFA-Box 50 looking like the ubiquitous Brownie made famous by Kodak to the Polaroid J66, of 1961, the first self developing camera, to "The Incredible Cannon T90 (1986) to the Canon ION Still-Video (1989)---which was the forerunner to the digital era---to "The New 8.1 Mega-pixel C905 Cyber-shot plus" which features a "smile shutter" which produces a smile should you forget to say "chesse." (Loose photos @ 500 euros each; complete series of 61 photos @ 28,000 euro.) Until 4th June. www.2x2p.com

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Willy Looyen shows her drawings at ARTTRA (Tweede Boomdwarsstraat 4). Her b/w drawings are geometric abstractions from an unusual an unexpected patterns. On the other hand, the colored mixed-media washes and pastel/gouache are geometric abstractions against an expressionistic background. The colors range from yellow to purple to greens.

A series of ballpoint pen drawings appear to bve more like doodles that actual drawings in the sense that they have a weird spontaneity quality that's hard to define or describe there conceptual forms. (Small drawings in pencil and pen @ 225 euro; drawings ion color @ 275 euro; all sizes about 30x25 cms.) Until ___?___ www.arttra.nl

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De Veemvloer (Van Diemenstraat 410) provided their space for a preview of the Rietveld Academy's "Eende Examen" exposition scheduled for the end of June. But only a handful of students are represented, but the work ranges from drawings to video with much in between. Joanie Croes hangs a drawing which is mixed media as well. The drawing part is linear and she adds collage pieces and real wood. On another wall there was an intersting piece that 3D couldn't discern the technique nor was there an attribution.

Robin Wasch hangs a work on canvas which looks like the imagery has been painted on, but, well, maybe it was...and maybe it wasn't. Welmoed Douma has constructed a wooden objectt that cvoudl be a "machine" that peels oranges. But that action is only implied. Marije Roos shows two large charcol drawings that might be expressionistic or a wheat field blowing in the wind. There is a rhythm of motion flowing through the composition. Hrafnhildur Gissurardottir displays three portraits in b/w but the technique is vague and very unsual. The subjects come across as very mysterious. And there is much more. The only thing lacking are samples of painting though Wasch's work is in question. Until 17th May...so, hurry. 3D apologizes for the dearth of information, but I couldn't find an invitation nor any other written material concerning the event.

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On last week "3D List" you saw the "andersom art fair" mentioned. I speculated about it. I found no more additional info at the exposition itself. however, it was located at the Westerhuis (Westerstraat 187-14) which is a building consisting of several ateliers. Actually, it is a really cool space. Especially the floor. The original floor covering is wood parquet but the natural design has been complimented by an addition of mosaic tiles. Jeroen Musch photographs (lambda prints/dibond/epoxy, 86x120 cms., Ed. 10, @ 4,300 euro) have been taken from a helicopter but the images he captures of the earth are geometric abstractions of the eearth's topography or land that has been devloped for a certain purpose.

Jorie Ringer is a contemporary Pop School artist who creates minimal and conceptual pieces which are simple and elegant. (120x180 cms., acrylic/spieraam/linner @ 2,350 euro.) Patricia Ribas creates impressions which are almost subliminal. The title for each of her three pieces showing is: "Study for Love Making." (Inkjet print/aquarelle paper/dibond; 70x70 cms., Ed. 13. 740 euro.) Isabel Cordeiro piece (Acrylic/epoxy/mdf; 240x210 cms., @ 5,800 euro) is a big but simple work. It is b/w, gray with reds dots intersected by a field of white. She is concerned primarly with perpective. Nice. The only negative thing that 3D can say about this show is that there was not enough work to see. I mean, afterall, it was an "andersom art fair." But if you didn't go, you won't know because it was "one night/one location/one chance/to buy a perfect art work." www.andersomartfair.com

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Saturday:

BORZO (Keizersgracht 516) hangs the expressinistic work of Masha Trebukova. A funny thing about expressioniasm is that after looking at a lot of it it all starts to look the same. Oh, sure, there are nuances that set one painter apart from another, that's true enough, but it is more rare to see the work of an artist expressing themselves uniquely. To make a long story short, Trebukova does just that: The unique. She achieves this feat in different ways. Some of her canvases are mixed-media; some collages; and some just paint. Nor is there any consistant color patterns.

A huge canvas (200x425 cms., @ 19,000 euro) has little color and what there is only creates a natural tension that defines the integrity of the piece. Small works (mixed-media, 70x60 cms., @ 3,400 euro) have most of the color, but even in these works it is the supposed "form" which focuses your attention. The piece de resistance in the exhibit is a work consisting of nine sheets of paper (105x70 cms/section; overall 315x210 cms.) each of which is a monotype. It is in b/w and staggering in its intensity. Until 6th June. www.borzo.com

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Cows, cows and more cows...and moooo to you too...anyway that's what you get at Galerie Mokum (OZ Voorgurgwal 334), but without the smell of manure. Karel Buskes does for the Dutch Holstein what no formal or natural breeding has yet to accomplish. He turns these b/w bovine milk makers into colorful contemporary impressionistic subjects. Think of a cow in purple, pink, yellow amongest a tab here-and-there of maroon with a subtle shade of blue tossed in for good measure. Hard to picture. Well, you got 'til the 7th of June to check them out for yourself. (115x80 cms., @ 6,500 euro; 105x100 cms., @ 7,000 euro; ) www.galeriemokum.com

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Carien Engelhard is at Gallery nine (Keizersgracht 552) with work of an unusual style and technique. She frist does an expressionistic wash in b/w or with colors. then, she meticulously cutsóut a conceptual design. The results sometimes emulate lighning generated from an electrical storm in that they are static and energized. The colored examples could be a city map disected by street patterns. (40x24x2, paper, glue, pigment @ 175 euro; 85x100 cms., pap cut, paper, watercolor @ 950 euro.)

Also on show is the paper maché work of Armando Villarreal Barrios. He makes objects from the paper maché and forms them into conceptual shapes most of which exert themselves in a spiral effect. A few also include typography. All are in white. (15x10x40 cms., @ 350 euro; 20x20x45 cms., @ 500 euro. The pirces for both artists'work reflect these recessionary times. that means: They are cheap for their quality. Until 6th June. www.gallerynine.nl

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At Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843) are two artists. Hans Vredegoor is a sculpture and just when you thought you have seen everything there is to see in contemporary sculpture styles...along comes Hans Vredegoor. He works in stone, bronze, copper, plaster and junk. When he puts these elements together---often, all of them in one work---we have a whimsical cnceptual forms that have nothig to do with reality. In fact, forms that nearly defy explannation. What can be said is that the resutls are fun and certainly attention getting. Years ago his work wold have been described as a "concewrsational piece." Hey, folks, that's what art is all about! (65 cms., high @ 2,250 euro. cheap for what you get.)

at the top floor gallery is the work of Frits Marnix Woudstra in an exhibition titled "miljonair van regendruppels." There is a flavor of Picasso in his tyle but that's because o his ability to give a "portrait"simplicity. And there is also emulation with the Cubist School but, again, in such a unique qay that it is neither immediately apparent nor relevant. There are "porttraits" of Man ray, Billie Holiday (two times), David Lynch...David Lynch???...and one titled Älfred Hitch," yes, without the "cock."Most of his work is very colorful. (40x30 cms., @ 500 euro; 150x55 cms., @ 1,500 euro.) Until 6th June. www.galerie-clement.nl

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Rob Malsch at Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Lauriergracht 96) did have an opening afterall. "Darkness Visible" is the title for Pär Strömberg's exhibition of paintings. Strömberg just happens to paint landscapes on canvas and in oil. But his work really has nothing to do with imagery. his emphasis is on contrast. You can even forget colors. some examples, well, maybe several are in b/w and shades of gray. Oh, sure, there is color. A little anyway; say some gray, a touch of ochré...but it doesn't really matter. He's a painter and even though his canvases tend to be "dark" they are captivating. In fact, so captivating that there was an outbreak of measles with 10 red dots at the opening. (23x30cms., @ 800 euro; 40x40 cms., @ 1,600 euro; 200x300 cms., @ 10,000 euro.) Until 20th June. www.galerieserieuzezaken.com

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"The Zulu Queen Stood As Jerusalem Fell" is the title of the exhibition at TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248) for Andrew Gilbert. The center of attraction, in this show, is an installation/object/sculpure/whatever that measures 400x230x370 cms., (@ 12,500 euro). And it is as impressive to look at as are the dimensions. It represents the elaborate presentation of a Zulu Queen being paraded by four British soldiers in 1879. Several added embellishments make this to be a spectacular piece. On the gallery's walls are several watercolors that emulate 19th century costume illustrations of military costumes. And just when you are ready to scream "derivative" you notice that the heads are all mushrooms. Hmmm. Can the White Rabbit be far behind? (40x28.5 cms., Ink, watercolor, and acrylic on paper @ 950 euro. 230x100x70 cms., mixed materials @ 3,000 euro.) Until 27th June. www.tenhaafprojects.com

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Sunday:

Galerie Josine Bokhoven (Prinsengracht 154) has a rather unusual theme for an exhibition. the title says it all: "Ralph Fleck en zijn studenten." And as you study the work of each of these four young artists that is apparent. Eunhui Lee shows three very different "photo-realist" like paintings. 3D qualifies the description because at irst look it does not seem that way. Two large paintings of doors---and the actual size of ral doors---each have a human figure reflected in the glass formulated with heavy wavy brush strokes. the glass is the type that allows light to pass through but you can really see the true image. Another work is an image of someone reflected in a filled wine glass. Nice (2,800-4,300 euros.)

Changmin Lee borders on the line of being a contemporary impressionist and an expressionist. Colorful paintings. (700-1,300 euros.) Anna Bittersohl does linear abstract representational work feturi9ng exteriors, interiors and a sea plane. Hmmm...come fly with me...(500-800 euro). Jochen Pankrath is a contemporary impressionist and hangs four landscapes one of which really stands out. Perhaps the reason is that it depicts an almost typical Dutch day. Black rain clouds are overhead the flat landscape. There were three green dots (options to buy). (800-3,500 euro.)

And lastly, the lead of the pack himself shows three rather large oils. his working style is linear abstract ex[pressionism which is someti9mes even representational. Gosh, what a mouthful! But they are really eye-catching. (10,600-17,200 euro.) Until 23rd June. www.galeriejosinebokhoven.nl

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Two artists were showing at Galerie Utrecht (Prinsengracht 572). Jan Bouman has an unusual style of painting (lot of the seems to be going around). It is figurative represenational...almost. the "almost" is necessary because the artist's disregards the true proportions of the human body. he exaggerates leg sizes, hips and sometimes both within one composition. His exaggeration can be to make the body part larger or smaller than reality. However, he is consistant with the head sizes which are always small. In fact, very cmall. There are elements of his style that are reminiscient of Tamara Lampika___?????? with a touch of surrealism added. (Giclée prints 75x59 cms., Ed. 100 @ 550 euro;32x25 cms., pastel, @ 2,750 euro; 100x70 cms., oil/linen @ 9,250 euro; 110x180 cms., oil/linen @ 15,000 euro.)

The other artist is a sculpture working in Bronze. Evert Den Hartog a a very stylized style with a streamlined design which is evocotive of the Amsterdam School. He does bulls (kicking); rabbits (hopping); an owl (landing); a hypo (yawning); a puma in the act of pouncing. His "Twee kraanvogels" (100 cms., high) is a materful study in parallelism linear abstraction while staying true to the subject matter. Nice work. (35x53x10 cms., @ 6,000 euro; 85x30x22 cms., @ 9,000 euro.) Until _______________. www.galerieutrecht.____?????

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At Galerie 'EEWAL' Amsterdam is the work of Daniel Levi which the invite desribes as a maker of "ceramic objects'" Well, that description only goes so far. He makes rather involved and often complex ceramic objects. There are several elements reflected from that of a "story telling" to whimsical to almost convoluted imagery. Some pieces are walling hangins and some sit on a table but any one of them would be the center of attention. Invariably you would probably be asked: "What's that?" (Objects: 26x15x22 cms., @ 250; 30x26x23 cms., @ 750 euro; 40x47x60 cms., @ 2,300.) Until 6th June. www.galerie-eewal.nl

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WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Reminder: The (?) means that the in formation may not be correct. And the "*" indicated the the time(s) could also be wrong. It is suggested taht you call ahead or click-on to the gallery's web-site for verification. 3D is often asked why he doesn't check -on the web-site? Well, there are galleries in Amsterdam that try very hard to hide the fact that they have an opening. From time-to-time when I have gone in search of finding some varification from a dubious source I end up wasting 15 or more minutes and still come up empty handed. Hey, I don't got the time.

WEDNESDAY: 13th May, 2009

18-22:00 "artamsterdam '09." (RAI, Parkhal #8). This is the 25th anniversary for the Netherlands largest contemporary art fair; it is also the fairwell song for Anneke Oele who has annouced that she will be leaving as drector this coming November (3D reported a few months ago that this was a false rumor and that info came from---as they say---the horses mouth. One of us got it wrong. But, I digress.) This fair is unusual from prior ones in that the galleries attending have been asked to mount a solo show for an artist of their gallery.

There are nearly 130 galleries that have taken a space; including 32 "young and promising galeries from ten countries" who are also participatng. The five artists shortlisted for the Thieme Art Award will be exhibited in addition to the latest work by last year's wnner, Zilvinas Landzbergas. FREE guided tours of the show are scheduled for three times each day of the fair (see the "Art Buying" stand of the Mondriaan Foundation)...and on Saturday and Sunday there is FREE child care facilities.

Your admission ticket buys you a lot. All visitors receive a passe-partout that entitles them FREE admission to several contemporary art institutions like foam, Huis Marseille, De Aterliers, etc. during the course of the fair. More info concerning this at: www.tijdelijkmuseumamsterdam.nl

As to the admission price, well that varies. The standard ticket, at the door, is 20 euro. But purhcase on line and you can get two (2) tickets for 20 euro. Discounts for seniors and students. FREE for children under the age of 12. And 10 euro after 17:00 everyday except for the opening night. www.artamsterdam.nl

The times are: Wednesday, 13th May: 18-22:00; Thursday, 14th May: 11-19:00; Friday, 15th May: 11-21:00; Saturday and Sunday, 16th and 17th May: 11-19:00.

3D expect members of the 7A Club to be present. There will be a pop quiz next week. To pass the test...you gotta go! This Means YOU!!!

20-22:00 foam (N.B. @ Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Vijzelstraat 32). "NY PERSPECTIVIES, New Yorkse fotografen ontdekken Amsterdam." Part of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's founding of the Big Apple. www.stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl

THURSDAY: 14th May

16:00 Museum Jan van der Togt (Dorpstraat 50, Amstelveen). Anton Heyboer is back at this pleasant little museum with etchings, drawings and paintings. www.jvdtogt.nl

18-21:00 Dutch Design Hotel Artemis (John Keynesplein 2). "Twist-r," about nine artist and designers showing. There is a "guest list," RSVP: sales-marketing@aeonplazahotels.com

20:30 Petersburg Projct Space (Frans de Wollantstraat 34). A docementary film "RECYCLE" (2008, 80 min.), by Mahmoud Al Massad (Jordan). More info: www.recyclethemovie.com/home.html; or www.petersburgprojectspace.org

FRIDAY: 15th May

18-22:00 MB Art Agency (Barbara Strozzilaan 314). "...Expectations," a group exhibition of 19 artists. It is also the official launching of MB Art Agency, "...a professional company that aims to present contemporray art in new curatorial formats."

SATURDAY: 16th May

15-18:00 Eduard Planting Fine Art Photography (Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 2). "Lilith, A one woman show." She recently won the "Color Award." This is her first solo exhibituion. This Dutch artist does self-portraits. www.eduardplanting.com

16-18:00 GALERIE bart (Bloemgracht 2). Gijs van Lith, paintings. This artist is a comer. He graduated from St Joost Design Academy in 's Hertogenbosch in 2008. He has, since then, been nominated for the Royal Award for Pantings, the Buning Brongers Award and the Art Olive Young Talent Award. He will be represented twice at "artasmterdam '09" at this gallery's booth, at the fair, and at the exhibition space for the Thieme Art Award for which he has been nominated as a "most promising artist." www.galeriebart.nl

16:00 Orangeri (Amstelpark). Olga Okuneua (Russia).

17-19:00 De Experditie (Leliegracht 47). Jakup Ferri, "Works on Paper." www.de-expeditie.com

(?)17-19:30 Upstream Gallery (Van Ostadestraat 294). Jen Liu, works on paper plus a video. www.upstreamgallery.nl

(?)18-20 Hof & Hauser (Bloemgracht 135). Erik A. Frandsen.

20:00 De Service Garage (Stephsonstraat 16). "UNFAIR PROJECT," "An international group exhibition with performances, lectures and dscussions exploring the value and function of art in the 'age of the art fair.'" Two performances. www.deservicegarage.nl

SUNDAY: 17th May

15-17:00 Art Olive Amsterdam (Westergasfabriek, Polonceaukade 17). Joram Roukes, "OFFLINE #3."

15:00 witzenhausen GALLERY (Hazenstraat 60). Book Presentation for Orna Wertman, "Broken Landscapes," Dutch/English, 36 pages @ 29.95 euro. www.witzenhausengallery.nl

16-17:00 De Ysbreker (weesperzijde 23). Le Caméléon Philharmonique, two new compositions by Bart de Vries and Wilbert Bulsink. The invite says---3D thinks---that their influences include: Radiohead, Portishead, Johnny Cash, Beck (?), Spinvis and Samuel Beckett. Hmmm...that could make for an interesting stew. FREE. No web-site address mentioned.

Closing comments: Only one this week, do "artamsterdam '09!!!" This means you!