The "3D List": Art activities in Amsterdam, October 19
By Daniel R. Gould
The "3D List" is a compilation of art activities taking place in Amsterdam during a one week period. Listed under the rubric "What Is Happening This Week" are the locations and times of exhibitions at galleries, art spaces and museums.
In addition, the section "What You Missed Last Week" previews opening shows at galleries, art spaces and museums that took place the previous week.
3D List: Week #8 (2007-2008)
Last weekend was a good time to see art in Amsterdam. The weather was nice and there was a great variety of works on display. Of course, if you went...you know! If you didn't go...you DON'T know!!! And a pity that is.
As I mentioned, last week, I would review two museum exhibitions; the one at the Hermitage* Amsterdam and the Warhol show at the Stedelijk Museum. I have now seen the latter show twice; at the press conference and later that day at the Friends of the Stedelijk reception. And it has been on my mind ever since...well, to be more accurate, Andy has been on my mind ever since. So I have decided to write about him and how this retrospective show of his film and video work sort of brings me full circle with understanding "Andy." At this point, I am assuming that it will be a long piece therefore I may write it in two parts. Also, I think I will delay starting the review until Week # 9; thus giving me adequate time to ponder over it so as to do it justice.
INDEX:
BITS & PIECES:
MUSEUM REVIEWS: "Art Nouveau Under the Last Tsars." Hermitage*Amsterdam
WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:
WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
BITS & PIECES:
There was an auction, in London, last week, which featured several Chinese artists. ALL the works were not only sold, but sold at two, three or more times the estimate. It mentioned that Wang Guangyi's "Great Criticism:
Coca-Cola" sold for 780,000 English pounds. The collector, who sold it, had paid $25,000 in 1996. He got back 63xs its cost. Works of this artist are on view and FOR SALE at the Cobra Museum in its current show of Chinese artist.
There are silkscreen prints of his in an edition of 199. One is titled, "Coca Cola" and priced at 5,764, euro; the price no longer seems exaggerated to me. Also, a work by the Cobra's featured Chinese artist, Fang Lijun, sold, at the same auction, for 782,100 pounds. Buy now! Avoid the rush...and escalating prices..
***
This e-mail from Jonna van't H. in re: to the "Freedom Posters" displayed at the Citroכn building at Olympic Stadium. "About freedom: Freedom is not what we acquire for ourselves, but how free other people allow us to be." All too true!
***
Hey, get you 15 minutes of fame...On Museum Night (3rd November), at the Stedeiljk Museum, an artist can hang work of theirs for 15 minutes. They will be toasted with champagne and photographers will be present to record
the moment. Reservations required: famegallery@stedelijk.nl But, hurry,
there are only so many 15 minute segments during the seven hour period.
***
More on SmartProjectSpace's free cinema. I was leaving the library, on the Nic. Beetsstraat, yesterday, when I thought to check on the Hunchback of the Coded Cinema. At the beginning of the month, I had checked on the October program and it didn't really excite me very much. On Monday, I thought I should check on the "person in residence." I copied down the entrance code:
7793 from SPS website. When I got there, I pressed the four digits into the key pad. A red light appeared telling me that was the wrong code. I tried three more times and each time the answer was the same. Today, I checked the website for SPS again and, indeed, the code listed is 7793. But it doesn't work! What is up?
Also, as I reported, that my original comments, was sent to the director, Thomas Peutz, inviting him to comment before I posted them. No reply! Nor was there any reply after I had posted the piece. The next week, I repeated the courtesy and sent Luis F. written experiences with the Hunchback to the director. Again, no reply.
The questions are: Is the Hunchback of the Coded Cinema still "living"
there? And, is the Coded Cinema still in operation?
***
I have complained about gremlins invading my text with arcane symbols. A few of you have sent on suggestions. Nothing worked. Yesterday, however, I rewrote a piece and, since the library I was using was closing, I sent it on to my e-mail address. Later, at another library, I opened the document to copy edit. About four hours later, laying in bed, waiting for the sandman, I suddenly realized that when I opened the document, to do the corrections, I didn't see any symbols. But was I mistaken?
The next morning, back at the library where I do the WP composing, I double checked the sent copy. No gremlin' eggs!!! They should have appeared where I had used inverted commas. But, also, the night before, I realized I had not used the euro sign in the text; and it was only a few weeks back that I had asked the librarian where to find the euro sign. Was it possible that my problems began with that? I sent the same text I had sent the day before, but added a euro sign. Eureka! The gremlins were active again. Problem solved, but you will no longer see "__" but only "euro." End of story.
***
In going through a packet of notes, made several months ago, I came upon two interesting ones dealing with the subject of water. I can no longer remember if I posted them on the "3D List" and even if I did they bear repeating.
Mark Twain, the 19th century American author, said: "Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over!" (1884) That statement is, today, more true then it was 100 years ago and especially when you bear in mind the following
facts: "Water is by far the most common substance on earth, but 97% of the total is seawater, unfit for human use. Of the 3% that is fresh, 2/3rd is locked up in glaciers or ice and snow around the poles. Only 1% of the entire world's water is available for human consumption." The Economist, July, 2003. And, I might add, of that 1%, that is available for human consumption, we must ask ourselves what percentage is polluted and, thus, unusable.
When Jimmy Carter assumed the office of the presidency, of the US of A, he commissioned a fact finding committee with the directive: Is there any one thing that would alleviate poverty in the undeveloped world? Two years later, the board reported, "clean and reusable water!" Think of this when you let the kitchen water tap run on and on or stand under the shower for twenty minutes.
***
And speaking of water...it also comes in another form called: ICE. An ICE is HOT! An article in The Chicago Sun Times (www.suntimes.com . 17th Oct) titled "Cocktail's Hour: Perfect Pour," has included an "Ice Glossary: Water used for all of the ice at The Violet [a ChiTown watering hole] is double-filtered Chicago tap water. The bar keeps eight kinds of ice including: Sard, Crushed Ice, Kold-draft, Chunk ice, etc." What next? Hot water in eight varieties? Can't wait.
***
Karl L., alive and well and living in Florida (USofA) sent me an e-mail site where I could answer only four questions that would unmask my true personality. I was curious. So I checked out:
www.memorites.net/flash/test.html Only four questions you say? I was doubtful and even more so when I read the first one. Then there is number four. That one took a little time and much thinking. And the results? Well, I was surprised, but in all honesty I couldn't argue with the analysis. Oh, I almost forgot, it is from Tibet and mentions the Dalai Lama.
***
Again, if you are forwarding the "3D List" on to other people you can now direct them to this web-site: www.hostels-amsterdam.nl once there, clicks on "Amsterdam
info." Then, scroll down to "Articles" and there you will see the click on for "Gould's 3D List."
***
MUSEUM REVIEWS:
"Art Nouveau during the reign of the last tsars"
Hermitage*Amsterdam: Nieuwe Herengreacht 14, www.hermitage.nl 7 euro entree fee.
A few years back, I attended a lecture at the old chapel for the University of Amsterdam. As I faced the pulpit, I couldn't help but observe the stained glass windows. The late afternoon sunbeams illuminated the imagery and made it appear as if it was composed of neon. But what got my attention was the artistic style of portions of the work; I was reminded of Jugendstil which also would be translated by the French into Art Nouveau. The Dutch artists had been there and done that 300 years before! Nothing is really new in art; artist only finds new materials and techniques to express themselves.
I mentioned this because the press notes for the new show at the Hermitage*Amsterdam begins "A new style in architecture and applied arts arose in Europe after 1890...." And it became a movement. It was also known as "Wiener Sezession" in Austria; "Modernismo" in Spain and "Stile Liberty"
in Italy.
This show which is composed from the collection of the "last tsars" is, for the most part, considered to be Art Nouveau because nearly all the artist where French. The only exceptions are Russians who adopted the new style and labelled it "Stil Modern."
The exhibition is also a lesson in Geopolitics. The French lavished gifts on the tsars to win their influence and support against the Germans. The show starts with a visual bang by illustrating this fact with the "Flore de Lorraine" which is an "ingenious table designed by Emile Gallי." And it tells "the sad story of the province of Lorraine and its struggle to be free of German control." It was an artistic way to gain sympathy for the French cause.
Next to it, there is a very large leather bound book decorated at the corners with designs in silver. It contains the work of 80 artists from Lorraine. Unfortunately, there are no reproductions of the pieces of the work, contained in the book, on display.
In the same room are four tapestries (1910-1914) made of wool and silk from designs by Jules Chיret (270x170 cms) that reflect and illustrates the four seasons. "Winder Holly" is a breathtaking piece. Again, one complaint, the room is too small for exhibiting them.
Nearby is a vase (about 150 cms high) which has an "asymmetrical geometric design and the floral ornaments herald the advent of Art Nouveau. Chinese and Japanese influences are another feature of Art Nouveau." The vase was given to the Tsar Nicholas II by the French Ministry of Education.
Ah, but it is the jewelry which will stop you in your tracks! A bracelet, in its original case, by Gustav Faberge's shop in St. Petersburg (1890-1900), has two snakes intertwining to form a flower. Six other works, from the same shop, are just as spectacular and, probably, worth the price of admission alone. The shop belonged to Carl Faberge's father. The latter also had a studio/factory in the city since the tsar's attention to his work motivated those close to the court to become patrons as well.
There are three works from the Sיvres Porcelain Manufactory (Paris, 1900, bisque porcelain) and are, in a word, masterpieces! They were inspired by the American/Franco dancer Loןe Fuller; Toulouse-Lautrec had designed posters for her performances. A highlight, in the exhibit, is a film, projected next to the statues, showing her performing.
The rest of the objects in the room pale in comparison to the porcelain pieces. Ironically, that includes four vases by the great ֹmile Gallי.
The glass objects on display are equally spectacular. Some you would
describe, today, as perfect kitsch. Translate that to mean, very good art.
A cabinet cupboard by J. Cleuler is an example of "japonism, a popular style
in the late 19th century." An it is an outstanding example standing nearly
two meters high. Lamps by Daum show the crossbreeding of art with the
utilitarian. Five Daum' vases sit nearby.
Another inlaid table, also by Gallי, has legs carved as winged dragonflies
and is a real work of art. Hanging above the table is a lamp configured as a
dragonfly by the brothers Eugיne and Dיsirי Muller. Fantastic!
A great show! And like all Hermitage*Amsterdam exhibitions, it is condensed
enough so that you can take it all in and that includes reading the liner
notes.
Did I have any complaints? YES! And it wasn't about anything I had seen, but
what I hadn't seen. There are NO Faberge eggs. You know, those jewel
encrusted golden eggs given by the tsar and family members at Easter? I
asked the director if there were none in the Hermitage collection? "Yes,
several. They were recently given by a newly rich Russian. However, it was
stipulated that they could not be lent out." What a pity! I sure three or
four----maybe even one---would create lines at the entrance of museums
exhibiting them. www.hermitage.nl
The Catalog:
"Art Nouveau: Under the Last Tsars." By Frans Leidelmeijer. Is a beautifully
illustrated tome of the exhibit. The quality of the reproductions is superb.
It provides a relatively short history into the Art Nouveau age and not only
in Russia but France as well.
As I mentioned above, one complaint I had was the there were no
reproductions from the "Florי de Lorraine." The catalog does list the
artists and titles of the 84 works contained in the book, but no
reproductions. Of course, the listing only wets our appetite to see them. It
would have been a nice touch to include all of them in the publication.
Waanders Publishers, Zwolle/Hermitage Asmterdam. 128 pps., @ 25 euro. ISBN
978-90-400-8425-6.
WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:
Wednesday: 10th October
Lou Reed invaded Amsterdam. He was present and alive at Sieurize Zaken
Studioos (Bilderdijkstraat 66) signing two of his publications. The newest
titled: Lou Reed's New York (60 euros). On the walls of the gallery hung
samples of work from the book. Hey, guess what? Lou Reed has other talents.
His photography is good and interesting. The latter, more for the subject
matter which tends to be banal and has been done before. But what makes it
stand-out is that he makes the "ordinary" special to exceptional. He
photographs clouds in the sky but as an abstraction. He does NYC neon in
motion photography and it is abstraction seemingly set to music. Then there
is a triptych self portrait where we, literally, stare into his eyes. I
asked the gnome (Rob Malasch) for a price list: "I don't have one!" Oh.
"Well, how much are the photos?" His answer? "I have no idea!." And, Oh!
Again...Until 15th November. No web-site address on invite. E-mail:
malasch@hotmail.com
I actually had a personal confrontation with him. After the signing was
over, I went over to ask if I could ask him a question or two, on camera, at
the Warhol opening, the next night, where he was scheduled to appear. His
NYC gallery holder answered for him, "Yes, at the press conference." The
next day, Reed was not at the press conference, however he did take
questions at the opening reception and I did ask what I wanted and got it on
camera for the documentary.
Anyway, I digress...I next said to Lou, "I have a complaint...." He dropped
my hand and said, "I don't take complaints!" and walked away. A body guard
appeared at my side and took me by the arm to lead me toward the door. I
went quietly.
Actually, my complaint, was what I call a "left hand compliment." About 25
years ago, I bought the LP "Lou Reed Live." I was anxious to hear his live
version of "Walk On The Wild Side." One of my Top 40 all time favourites.
Well, the live version is a parody on the original. He maligns it, contorts
it and abuses it! It begins sung to the melody with his singing, "I hate
this f***ing song...." Hey, I DON'T! Spare me your grief, Lou. Do you tear
up the royalty check when them comes in? I bet not. Anyway, he never heard
it from me...
***
Thursday, 11th October
FOAM (Keizersgracht 609). In the library, reserved for new photographers
fresh on the scene, Yamandu Roos displayed color photographs taken in Pikien
Slee Suriname. Roos visited a "morooned village." The Totomboti Foundation
consists of five Rastafarian men who spend tjhere time making functional art
in wood. The initiative is to stimulate the development of the village.
Roos' photographs show the villagers' process in making their "art" which
includes "fashion" and furniture. His photos also capture the spirit of the
people. We seem them in their native dress (made of textiles they design and
dye themselves). This is, for the most part, portrait work against a
backdrop of the peoples environment. Until 22nd November. www.totomboti
; www.yamandu.org ; www.foam.nl
***
Friday, 12th October
Das Arts (Mauritskade 56) is a post graduate study center for the performing
arts. There were several performances each from 10 minutes to 30 minute
duration. I missed the first and left after the "Break." So I'll only
comment on two presentations.
"Box Yourself" Stephanie Pan (USA) had covered the floor of a large room
with origami cranes. They also hung from the ceiling at the center of the
room and were enclosed by six large boxer's punching bags. She danced
through the area throwing good hard punches at each bag.
"Cul-De-Sac" a work directed by Jose Manuel Mora Ortiz and in
collaboration with Jochen Stechmann and Steven de Jong. It reflected the
nights' program theme "The Glamour of Violence." There was confrontation and
expression of affection. There was crudeness and beautiful moments. What it
was all about...I don't rally know. It was the performance that gave it
meaning. www.dasarts.nl
***
The farmers are coming...the farmers are coming...and they arrived, on
tractors...Last week we had the Russians and now this...KULTIVATOR:
SUPERMODEL is the shows titles. Kultivator is a collective of artist and
farmers on the island of "Oland off the coast of Sweden. They cultivate
organic food and host of residency program for international artist. "In
their first major retrospective in W139, potatoes and linseed oil, paintings
and sculptures, sheepskins and films will be on show and on sale." The
latter is something new for W139. I can only remember two other times when
something was offered for sale. And then, each time it was only one piece,
All in all, it is a strange exhibition. There are about 30 pallets that
create a "space" an each is stuffed with old clothes. A painting about eight
meters long and two meters high appears to tell a story (euro 17,500). I
liked the wooden shoe with the Nike swath painted on its side and sitting
just below the street sign which read "Kikkerstein, Bijlmenmeer" (euro 350).
Don't miss the seven portable "homes" occupied by various children. The
plastic jerry cans got my attention. Each has a cut out section that
emulates a Halloween pumpkin. Cute. The small "jack-o-lantern" is euro 5 and
the big one, euro 15. www.w139.nl
***
Saturday, 13th October
Johan Abeling showed his hyper-realistic style oil paintings at Galerie
Lieve Hemel. They are landscapes that feature trees and there are a few with
an architectural motif. Nearly all his works are in a blue/green hues. There
is something restful about them with no interruption of human presence.
(20x40 cms @ 3,200 euros; 60x80 @ 8,500 euros.) Thirty minutes into the
show there were six red dots for a total of a little over 30,000 euros.
Until 10th November www.lievehemel.nl (P.S. I
talked with Adriana van Zoest, who I had interviewed at her exhibition at
this gallery, for the documentary, an asked how many paintings she had sold.
"Ten!" she said with a big smile. Well, some galleries are selling...that's
the good news. The bad news, of course, just a few...)
***
Ceramic tiles meander from across the floor and crawled up the wall of De
Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) for the showing of Angel Garraza's "Mind over
Matter." These were 25 interlocked pairs of ceramic pieces; one black and
one gray. The two forms differed in configuration from each other. There
were ovals, circles, pentagons, etc. A wall piece consisted of 12 different
white shaped ceramic pieces set into a gray ceramic background holder that
resembled a jigsaw puzzle in the way it was crackled. (900 to 20,000 euros.)
Until 14th November. www.galeries.nl/dewittevoet
***
Slewe (Kerstraat 105) exhibited the conceptual and minimalist monochromic
paintings of Zebedee Jones. The artist applies the paint with a pallet knife
and in a thick layer; there is a ribbed effect in these pieces in colors of
white, grays and maroon/purple. Ironically, the work pictured on the
invitation is both the smallest and cheapest piece in the show. (30x36x5 cms
@ 5,250 euros; 122x122x7.5 cms @ 15,500 euros.) Until 10th November.
www.slewe.nl
***
Wim Classen is at Galerie R. Katwijk (Lange Leidsewarsstraat 198. These
acrylic on canvas landscapes are an exercise in minimalism with emphasis on
the linear aspects. And the colors are subdued; there are no glorious
sunrises or sunsets. (58x38 cms @ 1,600 euro; 100x250 cms @ 6,000 euro.)
Until 10th November. www.galerierogerkatwijk.nl
***
At The Living Room (Fokke Simonzstraat 10), Frank Lenferink paints very
stylized composition featuring furniture: cabinets, chairs, lamps, etc in a
very linear and cubistic manner. The colors are subdued. (Oils, 40x30 cms @
1,750 euro; 50x70 cms @ 3,000 euro.) Until 14th November.
www.thelivingroomgallery.nl
***
VOUS ETES ICI (Lijnbaansgracht 314), exhibited two artist. Reto Boller
does "painted objects," well, no, that is not really an accurate
description. Some of his canvases are "structured" with wood added and/or
other substances and other works are layered with a heavy use of acrylic
and/or silicon. The imagery, however, is often visually attractive. (21x29.7
cms acrylic and foil, 1,600 euro; 102x83 cms, silicon paste, acrylic paint
on aluminium, @ 4,800 euro.)
In the small gallery, off the main room, are the photography and laser scans
of Adrian Koerfer. Small pieces (10x15 cms) that are, basically, conceptual.
While he photographs "figures and objects" he does it in such a way that the
representational identification disappears. The work becomes abstract and
defined by colors with the form becoming mysterious imagery.
Not only is his work unique in its totality, but this is the right time
for you to discover it. For those who tell me "I have NO money for ART!"
Hey, this is the show for you! These Piezo Prints on Hahnemhle paper are
ONLY 450 euro FRAMED. The artist has a future. Now is your chance to get on
the bandwagon before you have to pay and arm and a leg.
The show was also a book presentation titled "Tattoos." This beautifully
designed book consists of reproductions of the work, on display, and poems
by this multi talented artist in both his native German and English
translation. The foreword made this note: "Until Adrian Koerfer' exhibition
at VOUS ETES ICI and the publication of the...book, no one but a few closed
friends had ever seen his tattoos. They are a product of an inquisitive mind
that scans the world with intensely curious eyes. The sources are
diverse...." I should note that "tattoos" has nothing to "body work." (500
copies; @ 20 euro; and if you had been at the opening, he would have signed
it.) Until 10th November. www.vousetesici.nl
***
Lumen Travo (Lijnbaansgracht 314) exhibited four artists. Remy Jungerman
makes collages using city maps or typography as a background. (900-2,700
euro). Monali Meher takes objects like a bike lock, screwdriver, shoes,
badminton racket, etc and wraps them in red yarn and offers it as an
installation/wall hanging. (29 pieces, 12,000 euro.) Tiong Ang covers a
portrait in a knitted like veil. Until 10th November. (120x120 cms acrylic
on wood with veil, 12,500 euro.) www.lumentravo.nl
***
Andrei Roiter is at Galerie Akinci (Lijnbaansgracht 317) and his style
continues to evolve. There was a period when his work was painted canvases
that were monochromic minimalism. That phase gave way to minimalist
figurative work. The present show develops the representational a little
more. Some pieces even have bright colors. The show stoppers, however, are
the objects. He takes small pieces of wood (often adorned with words and
about 3x10 cms), leather, tin and forms it all into various shapes (40x40
cms @ 7,000 euros). A large construction is a real curiosity. It is about
150x180x70 cms and sits on a small wooden desk, with chair. It is
captivating in its configuration. Other large paintings reflect his previous
work of monochromic, mixed media (pencil) canvases. Until 10th November.
www.akinci.nl
***
At vanwijngaardenhakkens (Lijnbaansgracht318) Marjan Laaper showed video
projections, on the walls, of exotic flora. An installation piece consisting
of four objects each resembling lily pads placed upside down made from
bronze with strains of copper wire streaming from them. (Bronze, copper,
geluid, wood @ 35,000 euro.) Neither closing date nor web-site address on
invite.
***
Dubbelbee galerie (Gerard Doustraat 142) exhibited Siree van der Velde's
work on paper. These mixed media pieces are drawings of minimal nudes. The
work on canvas is with an abstract background with a figure appearing to
emerge. (40x50 cms @ 1,150 euro; 118x165 cms @ 3,400.)
Dino Ruissen painting with acrylic and oil. The subject matter of the work
are farm fences found a long a country road. These structures, in a state of
decay, are adorned by wild flowers, mushrooms and barbed wire. But forget
the representational aspects and concentrate of the imagery as an
abstraction. Nice! Until 10th November. www.dubbelbee.nl
***
Studio Apart/Apart Media (Prinsengracht 715) has a fantastic show! In fact,
it is so good that I won't do the complete review because the place was so
crowded that I couldn't really see the hanging work from a good perspective.
I can't see how the title, "Let's play until we break something" relates to
this exhibition of contemporary Dutch and foreign Pop School artists but no
matter...Andy lives. One piece that got my attention---visually and
aurally---was a suitcase on wheels covered with images of human skulls that
skittered along the floor emitting a sound that reminded me of an automobile
alarm. Cute!
I asked Olivier, the major domo of the gallery, if it was a coincidence that
he opened this show two days after the opening of the Stedelijk Museum's
Warhol extravaganza? "Yes!" Serendipity. The artists involved are: Ben
frost, Australia; Mats!? [sic] California, USA; Ron English, New Jersey,
USA; Luuk Bode, Rotterdam; Plusminus Produkties, Amsterdam; and
Pieter can Schelt, Texel. Until 9th December. Strange, no web-site address
on the PR piece.
***
Sunday; 11th October
Museum Jan van der Togt (Dorpsstraat 50, Amstelveen) has a very special
exhibition. As I entered, my attention was drawn to several self portraits
executed as early as 1967. The latter was an ink wash (26x34 cms) and I
thought it exceptional. Hanging near it was a self portrait from 1972
(63x49) that is really an abstraction. A self portrait in chalk, 1991,
(70x1000) is all a stand out piece of work.
Then I spotted a huge canvas (180x200 cms) titled "De Cecadentie....
(Mathilde)..." dated 1977 and went do far as to mutter to m=myself, "A
masterpiece!" In the large gallery hung two works with this title:
Massagraf" (mass grave); each at 175x200 cms, and each demonstrates that, as
an artist, he takes chances since the subject matter is repugnant. The two
are all about composition and there is a strong feel of abstraction to them.
Then there are his landscapes: De Seunne-landschap" is great; and so is
"Troglotiet huis met rode hemd." A beautiful work in both composition and
color. There are several more that captivated me, but I ran out of note
taking paper.
And there is more...his bronze sculpture work are nudes in the Greek
classical style brought up to date in a unique way. I especially liked "La
Grace" (ed. 8) about 175 cms high. The prices range from 1,200-1,500 euros
for small oils and work on paper to 6,000-35,000 euros for the big
paintings. Check this show out for yourself. It is worth the trip to
Amstelveen.
And who is Ruudt Wackers. How have I missed seeing a show of his over the
years? I mean, I go everywhere and my visual memory is very good. I asked
someone I knew and she said that Wackers has a history. He founded the
Wackers Academy. I am aware of its existence because for the last two years
the Realist Exhibition at the Passenger terminal Building has reserved a
room for students of the academy; and Godב gallery a year or so ago has a
25th Anniversary exhibition of the academy's graduates. Wackers had filled a
need at the educational level of teaching "art" in Amsterdam. The Rietveld,
years ago, abandoned the teaching of painting in the representation style.
He took up the slack. Unfortunately, I was told, while he was an artist and
with the savvy to implement a school he was, alas, not a good business man.
The bills piled up; the processes servers arrived at his door and pounded on
it...he got the message and fled the country. Pity! But now he is back or,
at least his work is. And that's the rest of the story.
Until 18th November. www.jvdtogt.nl
***
Did I hear some say....
WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK?
THURSDAY: 18th October 2007
17-19:00 Jewish Museum (Waterlooplein). Jewish artist in the Soviet Union.
19-22:00 agentur @ Rokin 114a. (next to Arti). Maartje Fliervoet, "The
Unfathomable Apricot-Color Space." Slide installation with voice over. A
series of photograms [sic] and a short story. Influenced by the artist' stay
in Xiamen China. Viewing days/times ONLY: 19, 20 and 21 October;
15:00-18:00.
20:30 MediaMatic @CSPO. What do intifada and dabke (the popular folk dance
of Levant) have in common? The program includes "dancer Chebli teaching us
the moves and grooves of dabke." www.mediamatic.net/artefact-23628-en.html
20:00 Stadsarchist Amsterdam (Vijzelstraat 32). "Het Asnzian van Amsterdam."
www.stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl
FRIDAY: 19th October
17-19:00 WGKUNST @ Stadsdeel Oud-West (Kwakkersstraat 3). Yme Young, "Tiles
that make you smile." Graphic and photographic work on tiles.
17:00 Nederlands Insituut voor Mediakunst (Keizersgracht 264). "Video
Vortex." This is a response to the Web2.0 phenomenon. "Web2.0 stands for
power to the user and democracy for everyone." "FLOSS party van Adam Hyde."
Don't ask! I don't know! Eight artists are participating. www.montevideo.nl
18:00-20:00 Arti et Amicitiae (Rokin 112). "De Salon, » an annual exhibition
of members of Arti which is an artist club established about 1865.
19:00 Kattenbak Collectief (Spuistraat 227). "Booken," with Roland Berning,
Merijn Bolink, Pieter Kusters, Pam Emmerik/Pjotr van OOorschot and Ken Zeph.
(ONLY on the 20,21,26,27 and 28 October.) www.kattenbak.org
SATURDAY: 20th October
16:00 Bookie Wookie (Berenstraat 16). The occasion for this opening is the
publication of the 20th issue of "TRASHTOWN MAGAZINE." What a trashy name
that is...but, I digress...Its editor, Nico Lootsma, will display earlier
issues as well as his other magazines and drawings. A "mini" performance by
Lootsma will take place.
(?) 16-18:00 Galerie Wouter van Leeuwen (Hazenstraat 27). "Warhol
Portraits," by four photographers. www.galeries.nl/wvl
16-18:00 Gallery nine (Keizersgracht 552). Arno Kortschot, objects.
www.gallerynine.nl
16-18:00 Jaski Art Gallery (Nieuw Spiegelstraat 29). "Kroonjuwelen," Rob Scholte. www.jaski.nl
16-18:00 Wetering Galerie (Lijnbaansgracht 288). Gummbah, drawings; Chantal
Rens, textile. www.weteringgalerie.nl
(?)17-19:00 Gal Diana Stigter (Hazenstr. Hoek Elandstr.) Group show.
www.dianastigter.nl
(?) Upstream Gallery (Kromme Waal 11). Cristan Andersen, sculpture and
drawings. www.upstreamgallery.nl
17-19:00 Fons Welter (Bloemstraat 140). Anthea Hamilton and in Playstation:
Pauline Oltheten.
17-19:00 Galerie Rolt, (Elandsgracht 34). "Common Land," Eva Rהder.
(?) 17-19:00 MART HOUSE (Prinsengracht 529). "HOT&NEW#2" Group show.
www.marthouse.nl
17-19:00 galerie Masters (1e Jan Steenstraat 131). "Empathy(tm)" Three
artists. www.galeriemasters.nl
(?)17-19:00 Ellen de Bruijn Projects (Rosengracht 207). Iona Nemes and
Andrie Cadere.
17-19:00 RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427). Frank Derie, oils; Tineke Thielemans,
bronze sculptures; Ike van Cleeff, drawings on canvas; Milette Raats,
photography; Senad Alic, mixed technique. www.rudolfv.com
20:00 P///AKT (Zeeburgerpad 53). Anne Wenzel, David Jablonowski, Derk
Thijs, Erik Odijk and Tjalling Visser.
SUNDAY: 21st October
14-17:00 Gallery Spirit (Van Breestraat 2a). Hans Innemיe, paintings and
graphic work. Opening word by Hans Innemme about 15:30. Also Marnix and
Midas in a musical program. www.GallerySpirit.com
Well, it turns out to be a busy-busy weekend. But you won't know if you
don't go! Let's bring back the crowds to the galleries. Let the cash
registers ring! Let there be joy in the homes of artists. Spend, spend and
then spend some more...after all, it's only money...and what good is money
if you can't spend it?
3D is winging his way to the Thursday action and this week a lot in
happening....See you there!!!
Copyright: Daniel R. Gould