Art in Amsterdam

3D List: Week #31

Red dots, at a gallery, should be like a case of the measles on someone's face: all over the place. There was no one gallery that had a virus of red dots last week, but several were able to put up two, three or more at the opening. I read about the big art fairs where EVERYTHING is sold on the special black-tie preview opening and my mouth slathers at the thought. Several years ago, I was at an opening that developed into a party. Three hours into the exhibition, I selected a painting to buy. I was the first! The red dot went next to it. In the next 30 minutes six other works sold. The gallery holder said he was beholden to me with getting the ball rolling. Red dots, like viruses, can be infectious. Let's make buying art the new disease of the 21st century...

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week:

BITS & PIECES:

I have just completed "Dear Scott, Dear Max" letters that were exchanged between F. Scott Fitzgerald, the writer (The Great Gatsby), and his editor, Maxwell Perkins, over a twenty year period. Perkins comments, in one of his last letters to him, that his daughter, who was then a student at Vassar College for Woman, had mentioned to him that Fitzgerald's daughter, Scotty, was a member of a club titled : the MGIMA . The acronym represented: My God, it's Monday Again. And indeed it is....3D loathes Mondays...but that's another story... *** It would appear that News Photo, formerly on the Haarlemerstraat has closed its doors. Last week, I realized it had been a few months since I had had an invitation and, when I passed by its location, I checked it out and saw that there was now a coffee bean boutique occupying the space. Pity. They did try to do something different and that was to bring photography to the masses. I guess the masses were not ready for it. Another noble venture bites the dust. *** I mentioned, on a previous list, that Studio Apart would launch a periodical titled "Apart Magazine." It was due in March, but has been delayed until the 24th of April. Stay tuned... *** 3D gets SUGGESTIONS: Manoah, on receiving his first e-mailed "3D List" last week, replied, thusly: "Interesting. Could you however use less text and more porn?" 3D's reply: "Words are cheap; porno cost money!" And as everyone knows, who reads the list, there is no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow of information and wit. So, sorry, Manoah. *** PHOTOGRAPHERS: There is yet another new and revolutionary still camera hitting the market place...and it performs miracles...or so it seems. Casio has introduced the Exilim EX-F1. "This wonder box can snap 60 photos a second. These are not movies, they are full six-megapixel photographs each with enough resolution for a poster size print." The article appeared in the New York Times on-line edition the 3rd of April (www.nytimes.com) titled "A camera for the shot you missed" by David Pogue...and he writes that it does even more magic tricks. *** The eccentric Englishman, Paul C., is knocking on the Netherlands door once again and prefaced his coming arrival this way:"Art-loving Anglo-Saxon Arrives Amsterdam After April Appropriately for Anticipated Abundance of Auth." [sic]. I am assuming that the last term, of this 11 word alliteration, was meant to be "Art." Perhaps. "Auth" is "Art" in London's cockney argot...But who knows...since he is English and they are eccentric...In fact, he does go on to say: "Being a member of the 7A Club is just not enough for an eccentric Englishman." and that's where we started.... *** Actually, this is a follow-up to the above. Is it an alliteration when the series of letters is interrupted by a preposition and/or article? Maybe not; I'd have to look it up. Therefore I have realigned the 7A configuration of "As" to read: Amsterdam's Authentic Aesthetic Art Admirers Alliance Association." Top that one you Englishman... *** Here is what could be an interesting and informative lecture for artists: "Intellectual Property Seminar: Total in Support: Capital I." Presented by the Maxwell Group on the 16th April (16-17:00 hours) @ Beurs van Berlage, (Damrak). More info: www.totalinsupport.com. *** A thousand pardons to ABC Treehouse and Galerie De Op Steker for not including their openings on the "3D List: Week #30." As I prefaced, that week's rendering, I was pressed for time and somehow misplaced the two announcements only to find them in this week's "happenings" file. Life is hard! *** Picked up a 16 page A5 booklet labeled "Grafische Bode: Grafisch & Uitgeverij Werkcentrum Amsterdam Oost." It describes, in detail, their multi-facit program of instruction for printing (text) and print making; as well as outlining subsidies that are available. Molukkenstraat 200-P1. www.grafischwerkcentrum.nl. *** Premsela/Platform21 is doing something right. In 2007, they received a total of 2,843,184 euros in subsidies. They spent 2,778,154 euros and gained an extra 6,768, on interest, on monies deposited, for a surplus of 71,798 euros. Now, those who hand out the subsidies will probably say, "Hey, we'll give you less money next year!" Anyway, that is the way bureaucrats think. ***

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK:

...a lot, that's what...

Thursday: I guess the only thing good about the reduction of government subsidy monies to the arts is that several companies are stepping up to compensate for the loss. One such company is Vitae, an employee recruiting agency; "het netwerk van de nieuwe professional" is their motto. Last week,they utilized a corner of the new Openbare Bibliotheek to mount an exposition of photographs titled "Celebrate Work" by Jochem Sanders. Interestingly enough, the work and Vitae's raison d'etre mirrored each other. Sanders snaps photos of people at their place of employment. A few of the settings are ordinary: the cook in the kitchen of a restaurant; a teacher in a classroom; a man in a greenhouse; but others were taken at places the public seldom see like a steel making foundry; the back seat of a fire truck; a court room; a diver in a large aquarium with a porpoise in the background. There is also a FREE take-away of a folder with 15 postcards; each a reproduction of one of the photos on display. www.vitae.nl; www.jochemsanders.com. *** Friday: ARTTRA (2e Boomdwarstraat 4) mounts a group show of four artists. Jens Bommezij makes lino cut prints that illustrate/decorate her haiku poems which are printed in both Dutch and English; and in an edition of 12. The prints are colorful and the subject matter ranges from a forest of trees to dragon flies hovering over water to fruit trees in bloom. Nicely priced at 150 euro, inclusive the frame...Floor van Keuken offers a combination of styles in her work, perhaps abstract figurative describes it best. The subject matter is, well, different, complex and sometimes confusing; there is also complexity in the work's composition. (350 to 900 euro.)

Yvonne Kroese does comic strip like illustrations. The style, and in some ways, the imagery is similar to Robert Crumb and with the same type of humor. (A3 @ 250 euro)...Paul Kempers distributed his publication: "De Klaag Muur: Lifestylecourant Voor Internetdatingslachtoffers" which has been illustrated by, guess who, Yvonne Kroese. This eight page tabloid size publication reproduces horrific experiences by people who have made use of the Internet to seek a new partner. Sempers admits that the stories are his and ALL are fictional. Well, that's good, I guess. But I am sure that there are many people with REAL horrific stories, too. The publication is in an edition of 200 and is available at Athenium (Spui) priced at an ol' time figure of 50 cents. However, if you are really CHEAP, it is FREE at Frozen Fountain (Prinsengracht).Until ?; www.arttra.nl *** W139 (Warmoesstraat 139) is back and kicking-up-a-storm at their recently renovated space. The new director, Gijs Frieling, is looking more and more like a reincarnation of those that lead this Art Space from its inception and into the 90s.Somewhere, along the way, during that period, the shows where less exciting and less elaborate. I had assumed that subsidy cuts had been the culprit. Now I'm no longer sure.

3D had just passed the doorway entrance and had to stop to take everything in. It was busy. On each side there was a prelude introduction to the installation yet to come. It was simple, but dramatic. Old rubber and canvas tarpaulins---raised from the floor---were lining each side and smelling of mildew. Once inside the second doorway entrance, we are met with an elaborately conceived construction of many parts. The focal point is the nine meter long by two plus meter high half moon shaped work that is "roofed" with another tarp. To the left of this object there was a lot of big, bulky and heavy materials like wrought iron pieces; more tarps; a 19th century wooden sled and everything was bisected by a series of red poles dangling above our pathway through the installation and culminating with a three meter+ orange sling filled with seven or eight large canvas mailbag like pieces. The work is by Natasha Rosling. And it was only the beginning...

In the big gallery, at the back, was the show stopper!

Zoro Feigl is responsible for an installation, contraption, sound production, "dance" performance phenomenon. The "contraption"---I hesitate to call it a "machine" though it exhibits certain elements that one associates with machines---consists of a frame of welded heavy duty metal tubing. There are twelve sections and each with a large lever like arm. Each of these arms are activated by pneumatic pumps. Attached to each arm is an 18 meter+ length of ship mooring rope. The arms, when activated, whip the rope for their entire length. There is a software program which controls the activation and varies the pattern so that we have a constantly changing presentation much like you would expect in a dance performance; and the sounds come from the ropes whipping against the floor. Near the end of the ropes, and close to where they intersect with the wall, there is, suspended from the ceiling, two wooden rowboats (200 or more years old) that were discovered at the bottom of the IJsselmeer (nee: Zuiderzee) some years ago. They are secured together; and there is a bright light inside. They revolve above us. Someone associated with W139 said , "What I find attractive is the roughness and the technical." And what 3D found riveting were the elements coming together and the resulting drama manifested by sounds, motion and the visual aspects. Feigl, the artist, said that nearly all the materials were borrowed from the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen. The two boats where cleverly clamped together---as opposed to being screwed---since they are protected historical objects. In addition, the Museum has purchased the installation. Nice!

...Nearly forgot...At the beginning, I mentioned that the cut-backs in government support may have been responsible for the less elaborate shows of recent years at W139. This thought lead to 3D asking the artist how much his "contraption" had cost? He answered that much of the material used: boats, tarps, rope, etc. were on loan from the Museum. The heavy metal tubing he scavenged from the building where his atelier is located (soon to be renovated); the pneumatic pumps were on sale at 50% off; and he and a friend did the welding themselves. Total financial outlay: 3,500 euro. And, take it from 3D, for what you see and experience, that's CHEAP! Until 4th May. www.w139.nl *** Saturday: If you have never visited Boekie Woekie (Berenstraat 16) nor attended an opening, well, you have missed something. It is truly a shop of wonder for any bibliophile or graphic design lover or just someone who is curious by nature. I mention all this because the show that opened last weekend was---from the info I had received---something I had not expected much from. But 3D loves surprises and you never know if you will get one if YOU DON'T GO!!! So, 3D WENT.

Andrea Tippel is visiting from Berlin. On display is the conceptual "Philoars Library." First of all, let us define the term: philoar: The love for wisdom and not for wisdom itself. Take a little time to think about that. Anyway, the "library" is a series of drawings of books on shelves with their titled spines showing. She makes a drawing of say 15 to 20 books lined up, then laser copies it and arranges the A3 size sheets five across and four vertically. There are nearly 800 titles in the library. Here is a sampling of a few of them: :"How to Brew Philoar," "Artist in Philoars," "Philoar on the Moon," "The Head of Philoar," "Dismensional Spirit in Philoar and its Consumption" and one concerned with the relationship between philoar and the new smoking bans. Also, on display, is her collection of "Landline Telephone Books." And what a clever idea this is. Over the years, she has first bound books filled with about 350 sheets of blank pages. When she is talking, on the telephone, she doodles on one of the pages. The resulting imagery is colorful geometric abstraction. On the back of each, she records both the date and the person she was talking with at the time. Tippel is now working through her sixth book. Amazing. Until ?. www.boekiewoekie._____ (no info at web-site). *** Whoa...Galerie Witteveen (Keizersgracht 538) had a group show for 13 artists...a baker's dozen. Actually, the invite lists only 12 names, Hans Abbing was an after thought or something like that. There is a theme: drawing. But, again, it is not possible to review 13 artist at one gallery. There are a few present that 3D has been following for years like Pieter Bijwaard, Milan Kunc and Abbing. Some have only recently come to my attention like Arno Kramer and Marlies Appel. There is every imaginable style represented. So, if you are interested in the medium check this out. (500 to 1,500 euro.) Until 17th May. www.galeriewitteveen.nl *** At Motive Gallery (Elandsgracht 10) is the work of Aurelien Froment (French), "...since he graduated from the fine arts academy...[he] has been developing a series of interrelated multi-modal projects whereby he interrogates the manner in which media structures the relation between object and sign, perception and cognition, language and meaning." Well, to put it another way he is a conceptual artist and, according to the gallery holder, the exhibition is "based on memory, film and reading interpretation." Unfortunately, there are so many nuances that 3D is at a loss for words...say it ain't so, Joe...and the show is a puzzle to 3D and, in fact, Froment does DO puzzles based on memory. There is a poster that comes in two sections of the "Jack" playing card (it is an element of the exhibit and you must see it to appreciate the significance of the poster being offered in two pieces) and priced at 25 euro. A book is also available at 10 euro. Until 10th May. www.motivegallery.nl *** Danielle van Vree is at mart house GALLERY (Prinsengracht 529) with a mix of techniques: video-installations, photographs, drawings and one paper cut. And the theme is all about China where she spent some time. One video-installation consist of three video monitors with a large flat screen balanced above them. On each of the three video monitors is what you might describe as "portraits in motion." That is, she has focused the camera on a woman's face and holds it there while the person goes about their business. On the large screen there are five or six footballers that appear to be defending against a penalty kick. (edition: 3 @ 3,400 euro.) Five drawings in the comic strip style are "framed" in boxes. Nice. (650 euro.) The one paper cut is an elaborate piece of meticulous cutting and titled, " I could be a hero." (ed. 7 @ 200 euro.) Until 10th May. www.marthousegallery.nl *** Galerie de Experitie (Leliegracht 47) show for Mathieu Kleyebe Abonnence, titled "A prey made of space and shadow," is a photographic exhibition as an installation. He photographs trees and plant life and the shots appear to be taken at night, they are very dark. But as you walk pass them, something catches your eye, nothing more than a flicker of light. Indeed, the photos have been printed on aluminum sheets and here and there is the raw surface of the metal reflecting the room's light. The effect is so subtle that it produces a mystery more than a visual experience. The floored has been covered with wooden planks painted black. There is both a geometric symmetry and a dichotomy on the way it is laid. Damn, I forgot to check the price list. Until 17th May. www.de-expeditie.com. *** Two artists are showing at Royal Gallery (Koningsstrat 37), Alida Verheij with acrylic paintings of skies; and in two very different styles though both are contemporary impressionistic. The one technique is fast and the other has been executed with patience and good nuances in the colors. (50x60 cms., @ 300 euro; 106x56 cms., @ 1,000 euro: 59x246 cms., @ 5,600 euro.)

Winfried Scholz has only two of his sculpture pieces on display, but it is enough to get your attention to his work. He works in wood, marble and metal. But the material isn't the key factor he says, "I'm most interested in the interaction of people." Indeed, the wooden piece is a very complicated carving of two men entwined titled "Mucha's Grandsons Wrestling" and standing about 70 cms high (13,000 euro.) The other is a metal work. The "Iron Lady" looks more like a robot and is really a geometric configuration that only vaguely resembles a female. (75x75x95 cms., @ 10,000.) Until 26th April. www.amsterdamroyalgallery.com *** At Galerie Paul Andriesse (Gebouw Detroit, Withoedenveem 8) are the photographs of Charlotte Dumas under the title, "Tiger, Tiger." And that is what she snaps: tigers. And all types of tigers. The work is competent and sympathetic. I mean, some look like pussy cats that you just want to snuggle up to and bury your head in their fur. (C-prints: 80x60 cms., ed. 5 @ 3,000 euro; 114x152 cms., Ed. 5 @ 5,750 euro.) Until 10th May. *** William Speakman is almost next door to the above at 2X2 PROJECTS (Veemkade 350) with an exhibition titled "Experience and Logic Structure." Speakman does mixed media drawings which are strong on form from the linear and rectangular aspect. A couple are accented with bright colors creating a dramatic effect (acrylic + color pencil on paper, 50x91 cms., @ 2,700 euro.) But what is more interesting is how he has configured these conceptual geometric abstractions into objects; and while completely different they are true to the forms found in the drawings. The objects are simple in their linear aspect, but complex in the resulting form. Add to that the LED lighting and it all gets dramatic. (LEDs, wood, paint, tape; 200x220x200 cms., @ 8,000). The small drawings (graphite and aquarelle on paper, 33x45 cms., @ 1,200 euro) are, again, heavy on the linear and captivating. Until 3rd May. www.2x2p.com *** Sunday:

De Salon (Wolvenstraat 13) is showing Marie-Jose Leenders drawings of the human form and horses. The humans are all female and the technique is basically a simple line drawing which she then accents by applying a brush wash which gives her work a Japanese/Chinese nuance which is attractive. She said that she meditates every day and depending on how that goes determines whether she works that day. She feels the necessity of keeping everything in balance. (20x15 cms., @ 185 euro; A3 @ 600 euro; 70x90 cms., @ 990 euro.) Five red dots.

Esther Velzeboer is a sculptor who works with marble, bronze and glass and sometimes with a touch of epoxy. The "Staand Figuur" is an example of the latter where the body portion is Portugese marble (60 cms., high @ 3,500 euro) and the head and shoulders from epoxy. It is unusual from the rest of her work because nearly every other piece shows the human form from the neck down to the feet. Another work, also titled, "Staand Figuur" (Ed. 7, glass 80 cms high @ 6,300 euro) is from glass and the human form is more streamlined. From piece to piece there are changes in her style from being figurative to the Amsterdam school to nearly conceptual. (10 cms., high bronzes @ 155 euro; 45 cms., high @ 850 euro; 60 to 90 cms., high @ 2,500 to 3,500 euro.) Two large pieces with red dots. Until 11th May. www.galerie-de-salon.nl ***

Corri Janssen is into dance and in a big way. This exhibition at MLB (With De Wittestraat 32A) hangs nearly 50 drawings and each depicts a dancer or dancers. There are those of belly dancers; and a series of 24 quickly sketched line drawings of a couple---one in purple and one in green---doing the tango. They are almost expressionistic in nature with the lines intertwining into and through the other, but that aspect helps to convey the motion of the dancers as well as the intimacy of the dance. (A3 @ 100 euro; 50x65 cms., @ 225 euro.) Considering the quality of the work the prices are cheap. Until __________ www._________ (info not available). *** WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Reminder: This seems to always be necessary. Even long time readers have a tendency to ignore the obvious "(?)" which appears from time to time since I get complaints saying, "There was NO opening at..." In fact, last week, I ran into a 3D List reader, at an opening, who said that he had gone to a gallery listed for that day--and without a (?)---and it was closed. He said there was a poster in the window that stated "5th April" but no one answered the door. It was next on my list, to visit, and I nearly avoided going, but since it was on the way to another location, and on the route, I decided to ride my bike past. Eureka: It was open! Some people you have to hit over the head with a baseball bat to get their attention. But, I digress. The (?) indicates that the info may be wrong. Phone ahead or check their web-site. The "*" means the time may be wrong.

...and on to the best part of the 3D List...or so people say...

REMEMBER: De Brakke Grond's "Festival: Victorian IV Nieuwe Media Festival." a full program of film, lectures and whatnot, from Wednesday through Saturday. See: www.brakkegrond.nl for details.

WEDNESDAY: 9th April 2008 WEDNESDAY: 9th April 2008

(?)17-19:00 Melkweg Galerie (enter through Jo's Cafe, Marnixstr.). I had a (?) last week as well. As many of you may be aware, this gallery goes out of its way to discourage people from attending its openings. One person who complies a list that is subscribed---for money---to photographers, told me that the gallery holder said she would only send him invitations if he did NOT list the openings. Anyway, the photographer may be Marco van Middelkoop, "Zwarte Muur--The Boxes We Live In." and it may be on this day or Thursday.

THURSDAY: 10th April THURSDAY: 10th April

17:30 FOAM (Keizersgracht 609). "Expanding the City---Virtueel Museum Zuidas-Collectie ZOOM." Marike Schuurman, Blommers/Schumm and Gerco de Ruijter. www.foam.nl

19:00 De Brakke Grond (Nes 45). Presentation by Repetto and Vermeulen. Info: www.brakkegrond.nl

FRIDAY: 11th April FRIDAY: 11th April

17-19:00 WGKUNST @ Stadsdeelkantor Oud-West (Kwakersstr. 3). Boban Krstic, Ächtergronden-Backdrops."

20:00 De Service Garage (Stephensonstr. 16; five minute walk from Amstel Station). This could be interesting. A total of 39 first year students (representing 15 nationalities), of the Rietveld Academy, will show paintings, installations and video work. www.deservicegarage.nl

SATURDAY: 12th April SATURDAY: 12th April

17-19:00 GRIMM FINE ART (N.B. new location, Keizersgracht 82). Tobias Lehner, "Multiplexor." www.grimmfineart.com

16-18:00 WALLS (Prinsengracht 737), "Thrill & Suspense!" Group show, 19 artists. www.walls.nl

17-19:00 Gallery Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 34), Folkert de Jong/Fendry Ekel": "Double Diplomacy." www.gabrielrolt.com

16-19:00 RONMANDOS (Prinsengracht 282), Ine Lemers, "This Sorry Nature," and Maurice van Tellingen, "Untitled." www.ronmandos.nl

(?)17-19:00 Martin van Zomeren (Prinsengracht 276), Adam Avikainen. www.gmvz.com

(?)17-19:00 D.Stigter (Elandsstraat 90/hoek Hazenstr.), Group Show, curator Tom Morton. www.dianastiger.nl

(?)17-19:00 Annet Gelink Gallery (Laurierstr. 178), Group Show, curator, Jimena Blazquez Abascal, "The Disobedients." www.annetgelink.com

(?)17-19:00E.de Bruijne Projects (Rozengract 207), "Nesrine Khodr Dolores Chikako Watanabe" [sic]. From the punctuation, I have no idea if this is one person or a group show. www.edbprojects.nl

17-19:00 RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427). Anneke Peereboom, paintings; Tony Beirens, sculpture; Patrycja Dubiel, glass objects; Bram Tackenberg, photography; Gregory Kohelet, oil paintings. www.rudolfv.com

(?)17-19:00 d'Eendt (Spuistr. 270), Paul de Reus. www.dieten.eu

(?) J. Jongma Gallery (Gerard Doustraat128). Melissa Gordon. www.juliettejongma.com

19:00 De Brakke Grond (Nes 45). Closing program for the Victorian Circus Festival with music. www.brakkegrond.nl

20-24:00 P///AKT (Zeeburgerpad 53). Macha Roesink and Stijn Huiojts. www.pakt.nu

SUNDAY: 13th April SUNDAY: 13th April

16-18:00 Feel Gallery (Frans Halstraat 40). Yolanda Philippens, mixed media paintings. www,feelgallery.nl

16:00 art[s]galerie (Balthazar Floriszstr. 23). "Light and Shadows, Thomas Ritter, oils.

MONDAY: 14th April MONDAY: 14th April

21:30 SmartProjectSpace (Auditorium-Level 1; Arie Biemondstr. 105). DNK presents a concert series (every Monday) of contemporary music in all its different forms. FREE. www.dnk-amsterdam.com

WEDNESDAY: 17th April WEDNESDAY: 17th April

17-22:00 Studio Apart (Pinsengracht 715). Martha Cooper, "50th Year Retrospective." www.studioapart.com ***

There you have it...another stunning week of art in beautiful cloud covered Amsterdam where the rain drops kiss your forehead like tears of a lover crying for joy over their need for you...or something like that. Blue skies up above and everyones is in love...it is spring...it is time for new beginnings...it is time to get out of the house and discover the wonders of art and the artists that perform the magic...Hmmm, seems like a good place for 3D to say adios for another week. Ciao, ciao, as they say at pizza restaurants.

3D, with onions and pepperoni, please...over and out!

Copyright: Daniel R. Gould

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