The 3D List: Week 26 By Daniel R. Gould
The 3D List: Week #26
By Daniel R. Gould
Last week was relatively quiet for Amsterdam art, but there was much happening. A paradox? Not really. I mean, there were not that many openings, but what shows there were tended to be in some ways special. At one photographic gallery it was deja vu all over again. The exhibition was a time-warp into the past, the 60s, and the spotlight focused on many personalities who have become icons. The next gallery, I visited, featured an artist that uses himself as a model but in a way that no photographer from the 60s could have imagined. And in between these two extremes was a another contemporary photographer who sort of reinvents imagery in a surreal way and pays homage to a famous 20th century painter. All this I experienced in one afternoon between the hours of 16:00 and 19:00. WHERE WERE YOU? Don't wait to see the passing parade on the telly; experience it first hand by getting out of the house and GOING!!!
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Last week, I concluded my column on Happiness (www.partners-inc.nl) strongly suggesting I would continue the discourse on the same subject matter. I have now written the second part and that, too, has ended with a "to be continued" notation. And what is the theme of this on going exercise? LOVE! Hey, it's only a four letter word...but, let's face it, the four letter words are those with more meanings than a dictionary...well, almost.
INDEX:
Bits & Pieces:
Museum Review: FOAM, Ruth van Beek, "Reconstructions."
huis Marseille, Edwin Zwakman. "Fake But Accurate."
What You Missed Last Week:
What Is Happening This Week:
BITS & PIECES:
Errata: Last week's 3D' errs...The lecture at the FelixMeritis (concerning Finland) was on the 20th of February...and Museum Jan van der Togt was listed, on some group mailings, for an opening last Thursday. No way, Jose. The A. Heyboer show will be later this month. Apologizes..
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Galleries on the move...someone had told me that there was a "Te Huur" (For Rent) sign at Bilderdijkstraat 66. That's the address for Rob Malsch's "Serieuze Zaken Studioos." I thought, this was a very short lived effort; and I have sent him four e-mails, since the beginning of January, with no replies. So, I thought the worst. Last Saturday, I went by the gallery. He wasn't there but his partner was and explained that they were returning to the Lauiergracht and the space just vacated by De Praktijk. Mystery solved.
Another gallery is just closing its doors. Galerie 'Eewal' Leeuwarden-Amsterdam has given up the effort to establish a space devoted to Friesland artist, in this city, and will retreat to the north. You can see their last presentation through March (six artist) at Czaar Peterstraat 153. www.galerie-eewal.nl
...and, huis Marseille is expanding. They are now involved with the renovation of the building next to their Keizersgracht 401 location. Well, photography is in...and, of that, let there be no doubt.
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I listed a happening at Frescati that someone put me on to called "Still Life with Man and Woman." I call it a "happening" because it really isn't theater, dance nor performance but all of them and more.The staging was dramatic but in an oh so simple way: Everything in b/w except for the lady in the red dress. It was an exercise in reality vs virtual reality; it is the first time I have experienced a performance where one of the participants was the manipulation of a computer program. It premiered nearly two years ago, and ever so slowly, through word of mouth, it has had 21 presentations in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium and there are more to come. Next possibility to see it in Holland will be at "Springdance" at Utrecht during April. For more info: www.wilmsworks.net; www.springdance.nl
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I saw an advert in the Int Herald Tribune for the Voice of Russia World Service. I clicked on to www.ruvr.ru and got this: "Let God see and judge." Hmmm...and the winner, in last Sunday's election, was...
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You got an extra 30,000,000 euro laying around and just burning a hole in your pocket? Well, here is 3D's tip of the week. At TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht; 7th to 16th March) the gallery Dickinson (New York and London) will offer for sale "The Child with an Orange" which is an oil painting of "...energetic brushwork and rich colors typical of Van Gogh." It is being sold by the descendants of the Swiss couple that bought it in 1916, Arthur and Hedy Hanhloser.
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"Get your feet off my desk, get out of here, you stink, and we're not going to buy your product." This was said to Steve Job after he had offered Joe Keenan, then president of Atari, in 1976, to sell him the rights to a new personal computer (the Apple) that he and Steve Woznaik had developed.
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The above anecdote reminded me of a another example of "Famous Last Words." My second job, at the start of my career in publishing, was with Publisher's Development Corporation, in a suburb of Chicago. Hugh Hefner (founder of Playboy Magazine) had worked there for nearly a year before setting out on his own with a new "girlie book" as "skin" magazines were referred to then. But before leaving the company, he offered to the, then, owner George van Rosen the concept for a "men's magazine" that would appeal to college educated men. He called it, "Stag Party." Von Rosen said that only "blue collar" workers (laborers) bought such magazines; "White collar workers were not interested in girlie magazines!" Hefner, then changed the title to Playboy and invested in the concept by purchasing, from a California photographer, photographs of a new Hollywood starlet: Marilyn Monroe. Von Rosen's editors had declined to make the purchase because the photographer wanted too much money. The first edition of Playboy, with a printing of 100,000 copies, sold out. And, as they say, the rest is history.
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And speaking of magazines...Studio Apart is. "'Apart Magazine' is produced by a group of innovative individuals whose objective is to instigate a movement that will inspire, astonish, motivate and entertain fellow creative audiences. Within Apart Magazine the reader encounters an out-of-the-box mentality which persuades the development of new ideas, humor and a self-absorbed approach to life." First issue? Any day now. www.apartmagazine.com; e-mail: info@apartmagazine.com.
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Looking for a job? I saw this classified advert in the Int Herald Tribune (25th February, p. 5) under: General Positions Available. "Group of Italian citizens is desperately seeking fairly/marginally honest politicians to run in the next political elections for the Italian parliament.
"The salary is extremely competitive (among the highest in the world) and countless 'beyond imagination' benefits are included. Immunity from prosecution is also guaranteed.
"Once elected, the candidate may bring along friends and relatives who will be offered position as top level state administrators or directors for national TV network.
"Job location is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the heart of Rome (walking distance from Piazza Navona).
"No particular skills are required (in fact, having no skills at all is perfectly OK). No actual work is requested, except appearing on TV talk shows, where politicians are not supposed to answer questions, but are invited to join well known soubrettes and sing along popular themes."
Candidates should contact Lucrezia Marforio, e-mail: rescue.italy@gmail.com. Hmmm, I think I'll pass this on the George...at the White House. He will soon be looking for a new challenge. Maybe he could invade Sicily and eliminate its mafia. Now there's an idea.
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Perhaps this is a logical conclusion to the above: "Those who dream by night...wake in the day to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." T. E. Lawrence as in "Lawrence of Arabia."
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MUSEUM REVIEW:
FOAM (Keizersgracht 609) is hanging the work of Ruth van Beek, in the library, under the title "Reconstructions." Why Van Beek is showing at FOAM is somewhat a puzzle to me. The photographs are not originals---nor prints---of her efforts with a camera; but since I liked what I saw, I'm not complaining. But let me clarify that observation. What she does is to take photos from magazines, post cards, old b/w family snaps and cuts them up and re-attaches them to another photo from a magazine, post card or what have you. She not only rearranges the composition, but often changes the figuration like with the zebra that becomes and airplane...well, you gotta see it. Some are funny, some are conceptual, some are silly and some just not classifiable. Until 9th April. www.ruthvanbeek.com
After I had reviewed Van Beek's work, I took the opportunity to once again look at both the Weegee exhibition (closed 5th of March) and Taryn Simon's "An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar" (until 6th April); and was as pleased with the third go around for Weegee and the second for Simon that I was the first time. They are certainly the antithesis of the each other: b/w vs color; 30s-40s vs 21st century; and natural vs arranged or studied compositions; but, in skill, they are at the same level.
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huis Marseille (Keizersgracht 401) hangs C-prints by Edwin Kwakman, "Fake but Accurate." Some of these large photos (about three by one and one half meters) are photographs of scale models constructed at his studio. They look real, but, then again, there is something about them that makes you wonder. Next to a reconstruction of high overhead electrical power line there is a photo of a supermarket shopping cart and you get the feeling that they have an equal importance. Perhaps because the shopping cart takes on an aura of being monumental while the structure holding the power lines is obviously monumental though, in reality, only a scale model.
Other photos features even more banal subject matter. In one gallery, there are six interior photos of an empty apartment and the only illusion to the possible human connection is the room with the packing boxes. We are left wondering if the occupants are coming or going. A mystery of sorts.
In huis Marseille's small room, at the top floor, are three viterines displaying the artist' sketch books. His drawings are great...and also revealing. There is even the original drawing for the shopping cart photo. On the wall are "arranged" photos. That is, a collection of images formed into a composition creating a unique view that is both representational and conceptual.
Don't overlook the garden house, at the back of the building, for more examples...and on your way you will pass by a backhoe. A backhoe is a construction site excavator and this is an actual size reproduction. The main body, of the machine, is in the garden next to the space and the shovel in huis Marseille' space. Until 25th May. www.huismarseille.nl
WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:
Friday:
At Nico Koster (N. Spiegelstraat 41) Saskia Pfaeltzer exhibited representational and figurative drawings both in black ink wash and pastels. The latter pieces are very colorful in an exceptional way since they are not quite what you expect. The style reflects several influences: impressionism, Picasso's 30s etchings and even the German expressionist. (2,600 to 21,500 euros.)
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A new gallery in town, and all the way from Enschede, is headed by Kees Groot. Planet Art is at Weteringschaans 179, but it won't be at this address long before it moves onto De Volkskrantgebouw, at the Wibautstraat,
where, culturally, everything is happening. Their inaugural show is a group exhibition with a variety of styles incorporating the techniques of drawings, video, sculpture, paintings, photography and so on. One "senior" artist described it thusly: "More than just crossing borders of good taste with elements of lower class culture, but weaving them into an interesting neo-pop-art."
The place was jammed packed with people so I didn't really see anything. In fact, an "installation" was on the floor and not only were you encouraged to walk all over it, you had to. The artist, Rufus van den Ban, placed several hundred plastic glasses on the floor and the relentless stampede of party revelers ground them into pulverized slivers. Through-out the evening there were performances, acts and, of course, the ubiquitous dj spinning cd discs.
The opening also served as an occasion for the introduction for two new beers: "Grendel" which the the label describes as, "Back to the Primitive range" and "pre-Christian style ale -- experiment #1." The ingredients? Well, there are many: "Rye. Dat [sic]. Barley, Wheat. Spelt and Smoked Malt. Herbs: [and it sounds like my spice cabinet] saffron.coriander.thyme.rosemary.juniper berries and orange peel also blossom honey and dry-hopped with cascade and tettnager hops." And "experiment No II" called "Schwarz Walderwas" is a bit more simple: "Brewed with: dark, roasted and smoked malts, juniper berries, blackcurrant and blueberry juice." The resulting taste? A lot like the Belgium monastery beers. Oh, yeah, the maker is: EuroTrash Brewery. www.eurotrashbrewery.eu.
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Saturday:
All the "stars" of the 60s are here as "Schapiro's Heroes:" Ali, Bobby, Truman, Barbra, Ray, Jackie, et al. And, then, there is the social commentary such as the photo of a restaurant, in the American south, with this sign above the door: "Colored Entrance Only." Steve Schapiro is showing these beautifully composed and executed b/w photos at Galerie W. van Leeuwen (Hazenstr 27) until 12th April. Damn, forgot to check the price list...
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A young photographer, who is already making a big splash (he won the IPA International Photo Award as Photographer of the Year) brings his very unusual self portraits to ROMONDOS (Prisengracht 282). In fact, these are the most unusual self portraits that I have seen. He poses himself, and generally in the same position, but from that point on it is a whole new ball game. He "decorates" his head to his shoulders in a variety of different ways: grease paint in a checkerboard square design; strips of carpeting covering his head; artificial snow; or with "foliage" e.g. artificial and miniature trees and shrubs. The result are often fun and/or whimsical. Then there is the one in which he has covered his head with strips of black electrician tape which is both dramatic and abstract. Oops...nearly forgot the video. Van Veluw has reconfigured his head as a mountain. The top of the mountain is a boulder hat and along the brim of the hat there is a miniature electric training circling the "mountain peak." At first, I was disappointed that the "piece" was not there in person...but it was, or rather he was..but not as the mountain. Anyway, that's the point. He did the make-up and created the scene for the moment and I only became aware of the fact when his head turned to face the camera and I could see the flickering of his eye lids. Great piece! (Lambda print on dibond, anti-reflex perspex: 50x50 cms., Ed. 10. 1,900 euro; 120x100 cms., Ed. 5. 3,900 euro.)
Laetitia Gendre has a tough act to follow but her "Fast Fade To Grey Grey Grey" gives Van Veluw a run for his money. She makes drawings, sometimes. There are a series of 25 drawings "One Second Kiss" in which she represents the same imagery---two people kissing---over and over, faithfully (18.5x26 cms., @ 7,000). But "Stuntman" (6 pieces, 70x90 cms., @ 10,000 euro) is more on the conceptual side. Five of the large drawings are all about form and light while one illustrates a man, afire, jumping from a burning building. And there is a real show stopper: "Spread the inversion" (graphite on paper, 500x272x250 cms., @ 15,000 euro) . It is an installation that has as much to do with drawing as it does with the use of light. She had taken a very large piece of paper, about 250 cms across, and drawn an automobile's rear view mirror on it and then cut out the area (windshield) around it. Light is projected from a slide projector which registers an image in the "mirror" and reproduces the whole drawing as shadow on the wall behind. Nice work. Until 5thApril. www.ronmondos.nl
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Jan Cremer is getting more impressionistic and almost abstract in his old age. His show that just opened at Jaski Art Gallery (Nieuw Spiegelstraat 29) consist of flower paintings that we have seen before, well, almost. We can still see them as the tulips they are, but they are more vague and the colors becomes the focal point. "Winterzee" is a big canvas about one by one and one half meters. It is an oil and in infinite shades of blue and white. The style reminded me a little of Geritt Benner's technique because he has relied less on traditional technique and more on letting his soul do the talking. "Noordzeekunst" (oil, 40x80 cms., @ 18,500 euro) is much in the same vain and very nicely framed. But you had better hurry to see it; the show closes 16th March. www.jaski.nl
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Kuntur is an infrequent gallery on the Kerkstraat (429); the shows are small and the work generally good. Aimee Zito Lima's (Argentinian) exhibit is titled "Onschuld Wreedheid." She makes drawings, but not only on paper, also on wood. Then there are the mixed media pieces. One measuring about 40x80 cms., is exceptional if only because I can't describe it. Two oversized mixed-media pieces are both representational and conceptual. No price list available; nor could I find an invite with the gallery's web-site address and the show's closing date.
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As always, five artist are showing at RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427). Manuel Esteban paints very colorful and sort of figurative abstract/cubistic canvases. It is highly stylized and it will either thrill you or leave you cold. (97x130 cms., 1,650 to 12,000 euro.)
Edwin Kragten makes figurative objects from discarded metal pieces. He takes rusted iron, steal and tin and creates a composition that resembles a Roman Centurion, say. There are also painted wall hangings. Again, the "canvas" is sheets of old metal and he paints abstract/expressionistic renderings on the surface and adds other ephemeral objects. Nice work. (3,200 to 10,000 euro.)
Paul Vincken is a sculptor with a strong Giacometti feel. That is, his images are elongated human forms, but more streamlined than the Swiss artist. Also, there are two pieces in color: yellow and red. They both get your attention. (3,000 to 3,800 euro.)
The photographer is Alberto Petro. In my notes, I made this notation: he emulates Francis Bacon but uses a camera and film instead of oil and canvas. When I checked the price list here is what I saw: "From Bacon's Eggs Series." In Petro's b/w photos this Bacon-like-representations appear more surreal than in Bacon's oils and creates a greater sense of mystery. (1,450 to 3,750 euro triptych.)
Sophie Walraven's work has an almost naive quality. The acrylic drawings, on paper, are very colorful and in primary shades. The imagery is simple and figurative with a touch of humor. (80x100 cms., 800 to 1,350 euro.) Until 6th april. www.rudolfv.com
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WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
Reminder: You will sometimes see (?) this symbol preceding the time of the opening. It means that my source material is not reliable and for some reason(s) I have my doubts. the "*" which follows the times mans that they, too, may be incorrect. Click-on to the web-site or phone ahead. Don't blame 3D...it wasn't me!
7th March to 16th March: TEFAF---The European Fine Art Fair---presents its annual exhibition in faraway Maastricht. This year there are 227 exhibitors showing everything from the 14th century Florence artist Gaddi to Picasso and Lucian Freud with Boucher and Van Dyck in between. And thats only the art! There is furniture, silver and jewelry, too. If you have never attended this extravaganza, this is the year to do so. Even the fair's restaurant will offer the creative "art work" of chefs from Relais & Chateaux. In the city, itself, there is a spectacle of European street theater staged by Royakl de Luxe. Take money...lots and lots of it.
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You say...I got NO money honey...well, check this out: De Zwaan (Keizersgracht 474) is a family run auction house. The viewing days are almost as educational as going to school to study the history of art, furniture, jewelry, glass, ceramics, et al. The auctions themselves can been fun and/or exhilarating. When I ask people, at openings, if they ever buy anything, the answer---excuse---I hear most is, "I can't afford it!" That's BS. Is it still possible to get a very good work of art for 50 euro or less? Kid you not! The viewing days are: Thursday 'til Sunday, 10-17:00 and also 19-21:00 Thursday.
WEDNESDAY: 5th March 2008
WEDNESDAY: 5th March 2008
16:00 SMBA (Rozenstraat 59). LECTURE: Sabrina Lindemann (artist), "Art as a Public Space." FREE.
21-24:00 Galerie Schaap (Utrechtsestr. 95). A new gallery? I have no idea. Anyway, "Woensdag gehaktdag de Rebellendlup...Maakt kebaby van de Nederlandse poezie." And that's all she wrote...
THURSDAY: 6th March
THURSDAY: 6th March
17-19:00 Jewish Historical Museum (Waterlooplein). Kurt Lubinski: Photographer in Exile." A "German emigre photographer is now relatively unknown...[was] a successful photo journalist for his travel reportage in the 20s and 30s. He fled to Holland in 1933."
(?)17-19:00Melkweg Gallery (entrance through Jo's Restaurant on Marnixstraat). "Still project" Kris Dewitte. Both color and b/w photographic work.
(?)HUP Gallery (Tesselschadestr. 15). "Life as a Nightporter," Chris Shaw.
www.hupgallry.com
Fonds BKVB (Brouwersgract 276) begins an exhibition of maquettes designed and constructed by eleven artists, designers and studios. No official opening. Until 18th April.
FRIDAY: 7th March
FRIDAY: 7th March
Stedelijk Museum (no official opening) Docking Stations presents: Alexandra Bircken's "Units," an installation.
(?)17:00-19:00 Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140). Jan de Cock. Two sources I use listed the "7th," which is "Friday." Generally (read: almost always), Welters' openings are on Saturday. Perhaps this is an exception.
17-19:00 ARTTRA (2e Boomdwaarstraat 4). Michael Agacki' "Das haus von Nikolaus." Nominated for the Koninklijke Prijs for free painting style, 2007.
18:30-21:30 Carhartt Store Amsterdam (Hartenstraat 8). Joram Roukes, drawings and paintings. Tunes by DJ Lamme Tonnie (rednose distrikt). www.carhartt-streetwear.com
(?) 21:00 W139 (Warmoestraat 139). Albert Sackl and Federico Campanale. I did not receive an invite; and I checked their web-site: de nada.
SATURDAY: 8th March
SATURDAY: 8th March
14:00 Gal. Rademaker (Prinsengracht 572). Jason Eden.
16-18:00 MLB (Witte de Withstraat 32A). "The Transformer Strikes Again," Birgitt Busz, an installation.
16-18:00 Wetering Galerie (Lijnbaansgracht 288). Thomas Elshuis, photos; Koen Ebeling Koning & Albert van Westing.
17-19:00 Kohler Muller (Hazenstraat 11). Sheng Qi, "China Today." After the Tiananmen Square incident, Qi left China, but before doing so, he cut off his little finger (left hand) and buried it in a flower pot." I just thought you should know.
18:00 De Brakke Grond; VCC (Nes 45). "A Certain Mess," Joris Lindhout, Filip Gilissen, Tiong Ang and Aglaia Konrad. Also, same day, between the hours of 10:00 to 18:00 there is a symposium under the same title. It is in English. FREE. For more info: www.hku.nl; www.sintlukas.be; www.brakkegrond.nl
17:00 Galerie Masters (1e Jan Steenstraat 131). "Porn you life," [sic] by Marcele Segall.
17-19:30 Upstream Gallery (N.B. new location: Van Ostadestraat 294). Jen Liu, drawings and video.
20:00 'til midnight P////AKT (Zeeburgerpad 53). "Stotteren to stutters rpoduceren [sic]" Reinaart Vanhoe, Matthijs van Zessen, Hans Bossman and Daniel Dennis de Wit.. www.vanhoe.org.
20:20 Cinema de Balie (Leidseplein). "Dutch Cocaine Factory," a docu film by Jeanette Groenendall. English subtitles. FREE? (No mention on the e-mail invite about an entry fee).
SUNDAY: 9th March
SUNDAY: 9th March
15:30-17:30 Galerie Josine Bokhoven (Prinsengracht 154). Marie-Luc Grall, paintings and drawings. www.galeriejosinebokhoven.nl
16:00 Galerie 23 (N.B. Their new location: SBK-building KNSM-laan 307). Installation: Water = Life. Included is a docu video made in West Africa. Also, on show, paintings by Marthe Nso (Cameroon/Netherlands).
ARPS&Co @ The Gallery (Leidsegracht 76). This is a week long activity beginning today (until Friday, 14th March) that is labeled as an interactive exhibition of 15 artist, five "wetenschappers," performers, music, tango, etc. There are workshops daily from "12 to 12." No mention of an official opening. For some or all events you pay an entrance fee. More info: www.qm2know.nl; www.arpsgallery.com
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A not so busy week. You can do it ALL and still have time left over for less important things like eating, working and sleeping. The weather is nice, spring is in the air and Amsterdam's livin' is easy...just thought you would like to know. And remember, as a member of the 7A Club, it is your duty to support both ART and ARTISTS. You support art by going to the venues offering it; and you support an artist by BUYING something! Just another little thing I thought you would like to know.
Look! Up in the sky. It's a plane! No. It's a bird! No. It's 3D and he's high on Amsterdam art...for another week..its so long and its been good to know you....
Copyright: Daniel R. Gould