The "3D List": Art activities in Amsterdam, November 9th

3D List, Week #11 (2007-2008)

Well, while the list is the same basic layout and format as always, I have had, this week, the luxury of giving a few exhibitions more words. It was not a heavy schedule, last week, so I stayed longer and took more notes.

Maybe the extra discourse will get you out of your house and into the galleries.

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Review: Affordable Art Fair, 8th to 11th November

What You Missed Last Week

What Is Happening This Week:

BITS & PIECES:

Laser 3.14 beams in again...@ Hasebroekstraat 50 and Nicolas Beetsstraat 50 (a corner building) on one side: "The dream is over. We are at war!" On the other side: "They sold us out!!" He says nothing about who "they" are. And just around the corner and down the street at Bellamystraat 11: "Her scent pulled me into her dominion." Is she the "dream" that Laser is now at "war"

with?

***

This from a book review appearing in the Int Herald Tribune: "In 1959, C.P.

Snow asserted that there were now two cultures in the educated world, the

scientific and the artistic, separated by 'mutual incomprehension.' Artist

did not understand----or care about---science: physicists and biologists

paid no attention to art. Today, scientist are making border raids. There is

a literary-scientific movement called biopoetics...that wants the

humanities...rationalized. Biopoetics wants to know why literature is

necessary. What is the evolutionary function? And what does it mean to say

one book is 'better' than another? They'd like to wire a reader with

'Madame Bovary' on a gurney to see what parts of his brain light up when

Madame Bovary has sex with Rodolphe and which when she commits suicide."

"Proust Was a Neuroscientist," by Jonal Lehrer, Houghton Mifflin, 242 pps.,

@ $24.

***

On the 15th November, at Felix Meritis, there is a discussion. The title is:

De mythe van het kunstenaarschap." I don't see any mention of an entrance

fee. However, you must RSVP at post@fondsbkvb.nl or call at (020) 523.15.23.

More info: www.fondsbk.nl <http://www.fondsbk.nl/>

***

The Dutch photographer/film maker, Volja---now on location in Italy---sent

me a very short e-mail that read: Serafina at:

www.ciaow.nl/showpage.php?id=161. So I checked it out. I like the photo of

the nice pair of woman's legs stretching out over the Italian countryside.

***

This week's column on "Happiness #3" was concerned with a moment in time.

That observation was prefaced by a short description of my vagabond days.

Life on the road---and even though all expenses were paid---I talk about

cookie cutter style rooms that were the same as another hotel 1,000 miles or

kilometres away which often made the travel tedious and boring.

Last week, I attended an opening at Hotel Artemis. Its location is not

convenient unless you are in town for a show at the RAI or visiting a client

like IBM, NCR or Sony; all located at neighboring buildings to the hotel.

But, if you can afford it, it might be a nice place to spend the weekend.

I say this because it is part of a new breed of hotel. They are referred to

as Design Hotels and/or Boutique Hotels. There is a couple more in

Amsterdam: the Dylan and Prinsengracht 717 but both are much smaller than

the 256 rooms Artemis. It was designed by the Swedish architectural firm,

Dooos, and the interior was by a Dutch designer that is associated with the

firm. I was told that both the exterior and interior configuration is meant

to reflect Mondrian and the De Stijl movement. Indeed, there is the clean

linear feel of form and styling that also reflect Rietveld's vision of

functionalism.

I was fortunate enough to have a short tour of three rooms. Ah, how

refreshing. The rooms did not reflect ANY hotel rooms I recall from my

travels. In fact, the standard room is rather spectacular in its simplicity.

But even that simplicity isn't really simple. The interior designer has

followed the architect's vision and developed rooms around it. The

lamps---for both floor and table---are unique designs and, again, with a

nice linear flow. The floors are real wood. What a nice touch! The bedding

for the beds is both functional and none functional. That is, a section of

bedding appeared to me to have no function accept to accent the center piece

to the room. A larger room had an unusual floor plan that gave you the feel

of being in a small apartment even though it wasn't an expensive suite. And

speaking of cost, it is probably possible to stay here, for a weekend, at an

affordable price. The standard room rents from 79-300 euro/night. The price

depends on what is happening in town: if the automobile show is at the RAI,

think 300/night; a quiet Friday and Saturday night, during January, and

there is probably a package deal available. I am curious about the

restaurant since the owners seem to have done everything else right. I would

think that eating their might also be an experience. Well, one of these

days...www.atemisamsterdam.com <http://www.atemisamsterdam.com/>

***

From the 23rd to the 28th of November, at MediaMatic, there will be a

workshop (five sessions) that will help you "decide what new media to adopt

for your documentary project." Cost: 420 euro and that includes lunches and

an IDFA Festival pass. Maximum of 16 people. www.mediamatic.nl

<http://www.mediamatic.nl/> ; e-mail no-reply@mediamatic.nl

REVIEW:

The Affordable Art Fair is now at the Fashouder: Westergasfabriek. There are

over 60 galleries showing. Of this number a little over 1/3 are galleries

from outside of Holland. And of the overall total, 20% are English; and not

just London galleries but from Kent and Cambridge as well.

I was at the Fair Wednesday night. The quality is high and whether the

prices are affordable depends more on your pocket book/bank account than

what's in the name. Prices are said to be from 100 to 4,999 euros. Got kids?

A FREE crיche is available for up to an hour for two to ten years olds.

Enough time? It took me just one hour to do all the show. So, if you stop

to talk and consider buying, an hour may be a little too short. I don't know

what happens to the kid after the time has expired....hmmmm. Cost to get in?

Well, I'll quote since I can't make sense of it: "On the door ticket: 12

euro; cocktail party, Thursday 8th Nov. 18:00-21:30, 20 euro on the door

purchasing only." Until Sunday. www.affordableartfair.nl

<http://www.affordableartfair.nl/>

***

While at the Fair, I came upon the booth for "Kunstgids Art Guide Amsterdam

2007." It had originally come to my attention because I have seen it at

Amsterdam galleries that have placed advertisement in it. It is 184 page,

high gloss paper, with top quality reproductions, guide to galleries and

museums basically located in Amsterdam. What I find really unique, about

this effort, is that they do "customized editions." That is, a hotel like

Artmetis, Bank Mansions, Hilton and the Pulitzer can order---and have done

so---150 to a few thousand copies with their name printed on the cover to

give out to clients. A few banks and accounting firms are amongst the 25+

companies that have taken advantage of this promotional gimmick. Great idea!

It gets into the hands of people who might not generally see it.

They are now preparing a special "Kunstgids Kunstenaars 2008" (ready January

2008) which will list only artists. For more information contact: Pieter de

Groot (sales director) or Francine Brugman (managing director) at:

info@francastic.com; www.francastic.com <http://www.francastic.com/>

***

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

It probably had to do with the fact that last Saturday was Museum Night, but

there were not many openings last weekend. That was nice for a change. It

gave me more time to take in the art. And, as always, there were nice things

to see...

WEDNESDAY: 31st October.

Canvas International Art and Nieuw Amsterdam Uitgevers presented a spooky

program last Halloween night. There were a couple diminutive ghosts haunting

the place and two actual spoke. From behind white sheets with cut out eyes,

nose and mouths came high voices reading the text from the new book.

The book is illustrated by Elenio Pico (Argentine). It is beautifully

illustrated with his minimal b/w drawings and as minimal in its text as in

its art. (Don't know why they didn't do it in five languages. It would have

cost nothing and taken up little page space.) Is it only for kids? One

gallery bum bought two copies. I asked if it was for a niece and nephew?

"No. For a friend and me!" Okay....so it will appeal to adults and not just

the wee element of society.

In addition, the artist hangs 18 ink drawings that are all the same and each

is unique! Huh? Well, you gotta see them. They are all in the same shade of

blue with sort of a "ghost" image flittering here and there and with

elements of abstraction. (808 euro.) There we go again...808? What kind of

price is that? Well, you will better understand that comment after reading

the next review which I wrote just before this one...Until 14th November

www.canvas-art.nl <http://www.canvas-art.nl/>

THURSDAY: 1st November

Under the heading Bits & Pieces, I talked about the design ambiance of Hotel

Artmetis. What has enticed me to travel to the far ends of Amsterdam, on my

faithful steed (bicycle), was that they have art exhibitions four times per

year. The range of styles of art that they hang is as diverse as are the

artist exhibiting. However, you get a good idea that the vetting group has a

good ear to the ground when you first enter. As I checked in, for the guest

list, I noticed that the table being used was by Piet Hein Eek. That got my

attention. Eek isn't for everyone. I have heard these comments, "He uses old

and discarded wood!. How cheap!" No, it's IKEA that uses cheap non wood. Eek

uses well aged wood accented with a patina that has taken sometimes 100

years to achieve. But, I digress...

The exhibition's title is "d.&a: design/artemis: Dutch Design & Art Expo."

Hmmm, that's a real mouthful. There is a total of eight artist or designers

represented. Tjerkp (say that name ten times very fast) is part of a design

agency. On display is the "Micelli2" table. The table reflects the human

body form in an impressionist way. Viewing from different direction gives

you a different interpretation of the "pose."

Anne Makaske makes self portrait photographs. There is a series hanging in

which she interpretates the seven deadly sins. We see her in the throws of

"Gluttony," "Envy," "Lust," et al. (750 euro.)

Collin van der Sluis makes small doll like figures representing weird

looking people, pigs, rabbits, etc. For those of you who may not be familiar

with this new form of "collector's" items art it is becoming extremely

popular. Actually, the only thing new is the imagery. People started

collecting Dresden porcelain a few centuries ago; the present style/form is

only an extension of the concept. The liner notes say: "With this

mixed-media technique he wants to hold up a mirror to the public's

face."(850-1,550 euros.)

The "Aerosol Bridge Club" is represented in this show, individually, by all

five members. One of them Sandor Sweet, aka JUICE, has painted a mural of a

brooding woman that measures about 11 meters wide and six meters high. It is

an example of mural work that can be arranged by his gallery STUDIOAPART

(www.studioapart.com <http://www.studioapart.com/> ) to be replicated in

your home or work space. In the upper right hand corner is a 3.5x2.5 meter

flat screen TV showing three mural painters at work.

Werner Zwakhalen,aka NASH, uses an aerosol can to paint weird looking

characters that look almost human. "Call it what you want" (616 euro) is a

rather dramatic portrait. Daniel Dצbner, aka BESOK, uses several types of

material---including paint---to "construct" his pieces. "Swing" is a mixed

media piece made with fabric and burlap. It is a diptych and attractive

(1,847 euro). "Rooftops" consist of seven rectangular wooded drawers and

creates a 3D rendering of Amsterdam rooftops. (2,532 euro.) I really liked

"Branch" which consists of twelve rusted aerosol cans. He has cut patterns

into some and painted the inside white. Only two weeks work! (1,300 euros.)

Danny Casu, aka CASROC, is strongly influenced by Chinese brush paintings.

His work tends to be very black or black against white. (1,163 euro.) David

Pedraza, aka MOZE, paints acrylic portraits on board. (1,095 euros.) Sandor

Sweet (the muralist) makes mixed media work and often incorporates

tin/metal into his dimensional work. (1,642 euro.)

Did you notice the prices? I mean, 616 or 2,532 euros? How about 600 and

2,500 euros? Easy!

FRIDAY:

WGKUNST exhibited the fabric wall hangings of Marian Bijlenga. You may know

her work from Galerie Binnen; and there are always examples on display. She

takes fabric segments which are often configured into very small swaths;

sometimes measuring less than a centimetre across. Generally, she arranges

the swathes into a pattern that is attached, dimensionally, to the wall. In

this show she had done something different. She has taken a little over 500

cloth swathes and in a grid like array has flanked them over a five meter

across by four meter high wall. Everyone is completely different. However,

from a distance, an abstract like figuration does emerge. Rather

spectacular. Another, and more modest in size piece, is material that is

interconnected a forms a unique pattern (210x130 cms @ 4,500 euro).

She shares the spotlight with Joop Haring. He has four one meter+ high

"globs" on view. These are huge and bulky ceramic pieces that weigh in at

140 kgs/piece. Each takes 45 hours in the kiln at a temperature of 1,100

degrees Celsius. And sometimes when he opens the ovens door there is only a

big pile of broken pieces. (100+x60x55 cms @ 4,500 euros.) On the wall he

has hanging seven objects. Each look like soap bubbles in a cluster; each of

different dimensions. Most are structured like geodesic domes, though he

said he based them on Christo's "Islands" project; the latter done off the

coast of Florida. (1,250-1,500 euros.) Until 23rd November.

***

New location...new name...The Carl Berg Project is now "2X2 PROJECTS" and is

located at Veemkade 350.

"Undercover: Sabine Dehnel" paints and snaps pictures. However she doesn't

do either casually. Her subject matter is almost always female. But, for

the most part, the ladies are anonymous; that is, we see them from the back,

or only the torso from the neck to the waist, or waist to the ankles, or off

centered, that is, they are exiting the composition. No matter, she is

concerned with lines and colors and often there is a sense of abstraction

rather than the figurative as in "Paula."

However, this show is as much about her photo work. She continues this theme

of anonymity but plays with it by producing the same image three times

(Blaeterwald I, II, III, 120x120 cms @ 3,800 euros/work) in a different mood

and colors. There is a series of four that, again, fluctuate in colors and

with a slight alteration in "decoration." Ironically, these four very

visual works are in the back kitchen. Personally, I think they would have

been far more dramatic if arranged in a square configuration in the front

space...but what do I know...

SATURDAY:

Galerie RA did something a little bit different from their regular program

of showing jewelry. The present exhibition is strictly Aussie. Ten artists

contribute to: Australian Vessels & Objects.

Mari Funaki has made a very simple, linear and monumental object that is

about 20+ cms high. (6,000 euro). Marian Hosking exhibits two very

delicately laced like metal pieces that stand about 10+ cms high. One is

circular and the other oval. As to their function? Hmmm, not sure if there

is one. (3,000 euro each.) Robert Foster has made three anodised black

aluminium vases. He cleverly achieves a monumental effect with an unusual

design; and there is a simple complexity to the work. (2,400-2,600 euro.)

Mark Edgoose has made a vessel from rail, titanium and niobium that is a

rather complex conceptual design. Yeah, well you gotta see it. (4,000 euro.)

Vito Bila has three silver pieces that are very simple in their basic

design, but elegant. They look like tin cans---in a wide diameter---that

have been cut off to about five cms high. It is the roughness of the surface

that gives each its uniqueness to what are such common shapes. (500-900

euros.) Emma Davies work is defined more from the material than either the

shape or its potential function. She uses plastic nets that are used for

carrying things or other simple like purposes. Some have been shaped into

vessels and then there are 13 on the wall that are circular and look like

something you could use, but use for what? (60-500 euro.)

Johannes Kuhnen presents two table sculptures made of anodised aluminium and

titanium. The design is conceptual and minimal; and each gives off a

radiance of elegance. (15,000-25,000 eruos.) Sally Marsland is a complete

juxtapose to Kuhnen. She does bowls and vases in common forms. But it is the

colors and color combinations that makes the work standout. (400-700 euro.)

Miyuki Nakahara does something completely different. She has made silver

sheets and implies that they had been the wrappings for such notable jewels

as the Hope Diamond; an emerald and diamond brooch by Bulgaria; and a

cultured pearl earring with diamond caps by Van Cleeff & Arples. We get this

information because each sheet contains an impression of the precious jewel.

Nicely done.

Julie Blyfield, according to one of her catalogs, is "...a dedicated

craftsperson who modestly insist that she be known as such, rather than an

'artist' or 'artist-craftsperson.'" Well, whatever. Her work is meticulously

crafted and one of the catalogs documents, photographically, the process of

her making a small vase like vessel. The pieces on display are from a series

titled: "Pressed Desert Plant Series." The work shows her appreciation of

native Australian flora. She works with oxidized bronze and silver, enamel

paint and wax. (2,600-4,600 euro.)

It is a remarkably diverse show both from the stand point of materials and

styles. The simple, the figurative, emulation of natural forms, monumental,

conceptual, et al. It is all here. This is an excellent overview of

Australian contemporary metal work. And the reason for that is that the

gallery owner, Paul Derrez, spent a total of five months, on two occasions,

doing workshops, in metal work, in the country. Until 8th December

www.galerie-ra.nl <http://www.galerie-ra.nl/>

***

My only disappointment with the exhibition at Royal Gallery (Koningsstraat

37) was that the artist didn't show! He probably had better things to do.

After all, Bill Paglin is only 100 years old and, I guess, leaving his home,

in Italy, for a day or two, to travel to Amsterdam, did not make his

pacemaker go off scale. Pity, I would have liked to have shaken his hand

which would have allowed me to say I shook the hand of a man who shook the

hand of...well, it is a long list...I mean, Paul Whiteman was one. He had

commissioned Gershwin to write "Rhapsody in Blue" and conducted its first

public performance; "Jelly Roll" Morton who gave us Ragtime and a father of

Jazz; Rachmaninoff and Louis Armstrong, too; and his friends included the

great Paul Robeson and Woody Guthrie. Those are for openers....

As to his art, well, which one? He was a professional musician for seventy

years. A violinist who seems to have moved easily between the concert halls,

playing classical, to dives, playing jazz. Some where, along the way, when

he was 40 years old, he picked up a brush and started to paint. That would

have been in 1947. The exhibition is not hung in any chronological order and

he had won my heart even before I got to an early piece, from 1955, titled

"Wrigley Field." Hey, that's the home of my Chicago Cubs (a baseball club).

Had Paglin been there, we could have traded war stories of following the

frustrating Cubbies over the years. But, I digress....

He is a good painter. I assume that he is autodidact because of his

technique, but he had a good enough understanding of how to put paint on

canvas that the work cannot be defined as naןve. His early work consisted

mainly of cityscapes (Chicago.) Then he began painting portraits of those

around him, read: fellow musicians. And he loved to sketch and did so while

sitting in the orchestra pit while playing musical comedy. "Some of these

faces were then turned into the clowns that became one of Bill's

trademarks." "Boyz" is one example. It pictures four male figures in a

beautiful array of colors. It is harmonious, mysterious and vibrantly alive.

The most recent work on display is from 2005, and, perhaps ironically, they

are abstract pieces. And, nicely done.

In conclusion, I wish Bill Paglin a very happy 100th birthday and I hope

that his next 100 years is as productive. There are 30 examples on display.

The mean price is between 350-450 euros; the total range is 250-1,750 euros.

***

At Galerie Mokum was an exhibition for Clart Mastenbroek. Her style is

figurative but that does not begin to describe the various nuances she

employees to achieve the effect. She has been influenced by the Nabis School

(circa 1900) and there is even an element of Gustav Klimt in her work. Then

there are other symbolisms which come from several directions. What it all

comes down to is you see the work of a competent painter expressing herself

in her own voice through layers of artistic history. (Oils, 100x100 cms @

2,500-7,500 euro.)

***

Smart Project Space latest show is titled "Kiosk7: OudWestKiosk." And I am

not really to sure what it is all about. I mean the half page description

talks about finding "new functions for two kiosks designed by Russian

architect Berthold Lubetkin in 1937 for the Dudley Zoo in England." It then

goes on to say, "The kiosk project provides an occasion to address the

preservation and the future of modernist architecture from a variety of

perspectives in an international context." In one of the small books (color

coded), found in each gallery featuring a kiosk, there is more text, but it

didn't help me much just more of an artsy-fartsy jumble of words. So, my

comments are on what I experienced visually. The exhibition is the result of

an initiative of three artist: Gavin Wade with Simon and Tom Bloor

With that said, as I entered, I talked briefly with someone who had already

seen the show. Her comment was: "I don't like it at ALL!". My reply, "I

loathe critics!" and I walked away.

In the first gallery , the walls are painted a bleeding tomato red and the

title is "Elevator Kiosk." On the walls there are two two-by-three meter

blow-ups of offset photos and at the center are two conceptual forms several

meters long and about two meters high. It is all b/w or red and makes for a

dramatic and spectacular visual imagery. "Not a time or a place, but a state

of mind," is written on the wall.

The "Flora Kiosk" in the next gallery continues the same concept of imagery

and color (this time avocado green) but in a completely different variation.

As almost a side light there are over 60 live plants in as many shades of

green and only about five or so have any other color.

The third gallery had this sign: "Oud-west tamed, not with a fist, but with

a kiosk." There is a photograph of a "protestor" holding a sign reading

"Artist Exploit Zoos." There are several angular boxes with house brick like

motif. Four telephone poles (about three meters high) are leaning in the

corner of the room.

Gallery Four is titled "Islamic Youth Kiosk." Well, the piece de resistance

is color me purple. The background----the walls---is painted thus and there

is an object measuring about one meter-by-four meters in an oval shape.

There is, again, an enlarged off set print (think Lichtenstein Pop Art

School) on the wall. Then, there are three figurative human forms (life

size), again, with the Pop School like dots. And, finally, add to all this

four geometric abstractions. Visual attractive. The only thing that could

have improved the effect was the lighting.

Finally, there is the "Story telling kiosk" in gallery five. This is a more

complex space. It includes video---on the wall. More off-set print work and

an egg yoke yellow background. At the center of the room, also in yellow,

there is a small room with a large cut out section. It looks like a small

mom and pop shop selling Omo, Persil, Sunlight and Klokzeep products. These

soap products are balanced with Verkades Biscuits boxes and Droste's Cacao

tins. They are ephemera artefacts from the 50s. There are also same period

tools, wash pans, enamel cooking utensils and even children's toys.

As we left the building we were encouraged to vote for the kiosk we favored

the most. I went with the red. Why? Hey, I like red! Actually, I liked the

show. So much so that I didn't introduce myself to Thomas Peutz, the

director, to ask about the Hunchback of the Coded Cinema. Until 15th

December. www.smartspaceproject.net <http://www.smartspaceproject.net/>

***

How about a late night exhibition? Sam Drukker's "8x liggend" opened at

22:00 at the Steendrukkerij (Lauriergracht 80). I have been admiring

Drukker's paintings, at several venues, over the last 20 years. I like his

work. However, I don't remember having seen his drawings before. He makes

simple line drawings and these are "erotic" and I emphasize the point

because, well, they are minimal and sometimes it is difficulty to see the

imagery. But if you really look for it, it is there and most sexual

positions are accounted for. (1,325 euro incl. frame.) Until 8th December.

www.steendrukkerij.com <http://www.steendrukkerij.com/> ; e-mail:

print@steendrukkerij.com

***

PS (Leidsekade 60) has a group show of three artists. Lars Breuer makes busy

minimalism paintings. That is, he paints a geometric abstract background in

black and silver. In another, there is a monochromic black background which

is topped-off with "Luminar" colored in a streak yellow/orange. (2,800 euro

each.)

Sebastian Freytag's single work is more of a construction piece than

painting. In fact, it is meant to emulate the final stone that is put in

place to top-off an arch. It is black monochromic on wood topped off with a

white wooden strip. (1,500 euro.)

Guido Mnch is a minimalist abstraction in red, black and white. I commented

to the artist that it reminded me of Soviet era poster art. Wrong! He

showed me a book with a poster from 1928 by the Swiss artist Theo Ballmer.

His piece is indeed inspired by Ballmer, but Mnch makes it his own work.

(1,500 euro.) Until 31st December. www.psprojectspace.nl

<http://www.psprojectspace.nl/>

***

De Salon showed Geri Bij-de Haan's paintings which are unusual in both their

imagery and technique. They are basically abstractions but invariably there

is an aberration that seems to be trying to assert its presence like a spook

in a haunted house. The colors tend to be off the color chart and in shades

and hues not generally seen. She also adds sand, foil and gold leaf to some.

(30x30 cms @ 400 euro and up; 100x100 cms @ 900 euro.)

There is also ceramic work by Marijke Koops. She makes nicely tossed and

turned bowls and vessels along with figurative pieces. There is one piece of

a woman on a horse that is a unique interpretation. She has two bronzes that

are basically figurative impressionistic. Three standing ceramics---about 25

cms---are also impressionistic. In fact, I was looking for words to describe

what I was looking at before realizing that they were trees with birds. I

guess it should have been obvious from the start, but sometimes I'm slow.

((75 to 450 euro; bronzes, ed 3/3. 650 euro.) Until 9th December.

www.galerie-de-salon.nl <http://www.galerie-de-salon.nl/>

***

There were over 50 artists showing at the ABC Treehouse (Voetboogsteeg 11).

This was a theme show. Simply: Weather. As you enter, immediately on your

right, is "A rainy Monsoon" by Cees van Veelen. Beautiful colors and very

good composition; and you forget that it is raining. (650 eruo.) Wim

Breekman hangs a color photograph of a rainbow---looking surrealistic---next

to a b/w photo which is dramatic. Willem Overtoom three b/w photos of a

misty river scene are haunting. Corrine Kruger's portrait of a lady in tears

is poignant, but nice. Robert Theunissen "Spaarnwade" is a real Dutch Dutch

photograph. It is a cow in a polder looking into its reflection in the

water.

Barend Houtsmuller's "Gorges, La France" is, simply, a masterpiece. (500

euro.) Petro de Jong's works are seascapes but could be simple

abstractions. The subject matter isn't important. "Espejo Oscuro I, II, and

III" are satin prints, (200 euro). Marco van Middelkoop does birds-eye

views of a beach and the Vondel Park Rose Garden. The color abstractions are

nice. (250 euro.) T. van der Eisken's three photos emphasize the sky.

However, each one has a foreground that is completely different. Finally the

photographer creates "virtual" frames---classical with lots of gold---to

present them as part of the composition. (175 euros.) Peter Dumont's "Down

and out in Amsterdam" is journalistic and the b/w captures the man's

plight. We see only his legs sticking out from a park bench. Hey, move over

and give 3D some room....

***

Monday

At De Brakke Grond there was an unusual and electrifying performance by

Abattoir Fermי and Capsule. It was titled, HARDBOILED, and was an intense

one hour biography of a woman from birth to death. There were three

actresses performing in a constant movement of action. Aside from an oddly

shaped table---used in several capacities---there was no stage. However,

there was "scenery" and props, but all was of a minimal nature and meant to

convey an idea or concept rather than meant to be a visual representation.

The entire piece was mimed. It was a very demanding physical performance.

There were numerous "scene" and "costume" changes, but to appreciate the

emphasis I make on the words you really had to be there.

The music was provided by Capsule a group consisting of eight people. Three

ladies did the vocals and the others performed with guitar, drums, key

board, sax (different types), trombone and I seem to recall seeing a

clarinet at one point. My attention was fixed on the emoting actresses so I

didn't really pay too much attention, visually, to the musicians. As to the

music, itself, it had a saccadic and pleasing rhythm with rich nuances in

melody. Sometimes it was difficult to understand the English lyrics but when

I could they coincided with what was happening on "stage" and conveyed the

theme very well.

This appears to have been a try-out because a card, I found on my way out,

says: "premiere-reeks." Check out their web site: www.abattoirferme.be

<http://www.abattoirferme.be/> . Nearly forgot. The actresses are Kirsten

Pieters, Tine Van den Wyngaert and Laura Aernoudt.

WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY: 9th November

17-20:00 Frozen Fountain (Prinsengracht 645). Photos by Jannes Linders. A

special edition, consisting of eight photos (41x29.7 cms; edition 7) in a

hand made portfolio will be presented. www.frozenfountain.nl

<http://www.frozenfountain.nl/>

17:00 CBK Zuidoost (Bijlmerdreef 119). "Black Maginc Woman Festival 2007,"

"Beeldende Kunst." Katarina Zdjelar, Mounisa Al Solh, Anne Schiffer, and

Monali Meher. www.blackmagicwomanfestival.nl

<http://www.blackmagicwomanfestival.nl/>

SATURDAY: 10th November

15: -17:00 SBK Amsterdam Westerpark (Van Limburgh Stirumstraat 15). Ruud

Nelissen, paintings.

16:0018:00 Galerie Lughien (Reestraat 17). Dieuwke Tamsma, paintings.

16-18:00 Galerie bart (Bloemgracht 2). Rineke Engwerda, solo show of

paintings and objects. www.galeriebart.nl <http://www.galeriebart.nl/>

(?) 16:00-18:00 Galerie AdK (Prisengracht 534). Annette Ong.

16-18:00 Galerie Clement (Prisengracht 843). Jan Bass, oils; Suzanne

Hartmans, objects and reliefs. www.galerie-clement.nl

<http://www.galerie-clement.nl/>

16-19:00 Jaski Art Gallery (Nieuw Spiegelstraat 29). "Bare," Karin

Hoogesteger, paintings. www.jaski.nl <http://www.jaski.nl/>

16-18:00 Galerie 25 Limited (Lijnbaansgracht 311). Florette Dijkstra,

Carlijn Mens and Albert van der Weide.

17-19:00 E. de Bruin, (Rosengracht 207A). "Who put grandma under the

stairs?" Hey, it wasn't me...but maybe one of these people: Karina Bisch,

Nicolas Chardon, Gyan Panchal, Clement Rodzielske and Vier 5.

21:00 Arti et Amiticiae (Rokin 112). "Blackcube 9, " film, video and music :

six short videos and, in concert, Bergen Kremer Kuchlein.

SUNDAY: 11th November

14-? Gallery Goda, (Weteringschaans 69). "Trees, My Friends, My Brothers,"

Hendrik van Leeuwen, Hanneke de Munck and Olga Okuneva. "...kunst, poכzie en

muziek." www.goda.nl <http://www.goda.nl/>

16:00 Galerie 23 has closed the Nieuw Herengracht site and moved to

KNSM-laan 307. The first show at this new address will be the work of Olga

Dengo, paintings.

15-17:00 Kunstruimte NP 40, (Middenweg 22). "Cumulus" is a group show of

21 artists. Hey, crowded; this is a small space. Where are they going to

hang everything? Not to mention, if ALL the artist

show...well...www.NP40.nl <http://www.np40.nl/>

(?) 16:00-18:00 WALLS (Prinsengracht 737). "Chinese Walls," paintings,

photography and ceramic.

WEDNESDAY: 14th November

(?)17-19:00 Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Bilerdijkstraat 66). A group show of

seven young Korean artists. Sorry, there is a web-site, but the gnome does

not keep it up-dated. Tele: 427.57.70...who knows, someone may answer....

20:00 KillerTV (Waag, NieuwMarkt 4, Theatrum Anatomicum). "Stick to the

grid," an evening about new media and democracy. Secretary of State Jan-Kees

de Jager, Rob Gonggrijp and others will debate the meaning of new media for

democracy. www.killertv.nl <http://www.killertv.nl/>

***

So, that's it! Remember, this week means another opportunity for an

unforgettable experience of seeing what's new, what's old and what's

happening....can't wait....so...I'm outta here and it's over the hill; and

through the valley; navigate a canal or two; and there he is...3D over

dosing, visually, on art.