Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #51

So begins the 7th year of the 3D List. And for the first time I find it difficult to express any optimism for the economic aspects of Amsterdam Art Scene 2011-2012. 

A year ago, I saw a rebound in the market place. But then along came January, 2011, and in the months that followed, the rebound ended with a crash. Generally, I would be wont to say, "Hey, that's history. Time to start anew." But then came the American political disaster---played out in the halls of Congress---thats conclusion, in the 59th minute of the 23rd hour, reverberated around the world. The stock markets crashed across Asia and Europe not to mention Wall Street. And it is not over yet. What it all means is that discretionary spending, by both governments and the general population, has dried up. It was reported only a few weeks back that household consumption, in the Netherlands, fell 0.9% from a year ago; and spending on food and entertainment fell 3.7%. Don't even ask about art. 

There is gloom covering the cultural oasis like volcanic ash that chokes off sunlight which nurtures all that lives. I can and I will urge, push, encourage the 3D List readers to buy, Buy and BUY. And if that doesn't work, I'll castigate, humiliate and denigrate my readers for not doing so. But I fear that all the berating will fall on deaf ears. There is a real fear for the future of the economy and it is that fear that is our worst enemy. (This was written before the first week of the new season. Last weekend, 3D visited nine galleries. There was NOT one red dot.)

But, hey, on the Amsterdam art circuit, I am sometimes referred to as Mr Sunshine. But an economic overcast is blocking my invigorating rays. What to do? 
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As readers of the 3D List are aware its weekly regularity changed last November when I was indirectly barred from using the new OBA (main library) where I had access to the Internet 12 hours/day, seven days per week. I have not found a substitute venue. Therefore I had to reappraise the list. The majority of readers use it for the section: What Is Happening This Week. Oddly enough, it is the part that required the most time and effort; it is tedious---not to mention, stressful---to copy all the info, addresses, name spellings (Dutch, Russian, German, French, African, Albanian...Albanian? Well there are 182 ethnic groups represented in A'dam) so it takes time. Two days to be exact and that doesn't included an hour or so on Thursday for the final update on late notices of openings. Considering all this, I have axed this section. What remains is Bits & Pieces (this provides info for the artists' community); and allows 3D the opportunity to make editorial comments concerning a wide range of subjects; and to pass on items that tickle the funny bone, feed an empty stomach or show the human side of life...If there is one. Damn, I geting cynical in my old age.

For those of you that would like to see the reinstatement of What Is Happening This Week it is up to you to find a venue where I have unlimited access to the Internet and/or a sponsor that will provide me with the funds to secure such a place. I can't do it all.
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Bits & Pieces:

Museum Review: De Nieuwe Kerk

What You Missed Last Week: 

BITS & PIECES: 

3D received an e-mail from Dadara that began: "I am not an artist anymore, but I am a banker now." He goes on to say, "Recently we introduced a new banknote..." Well, I am not really sure what this is all about; could be "art," or even a scam...Anyway, for more info go to: https://bit.ly/2LorB9J. Oh, yeah, "And a cool 90 second video we made recently: https://bit.ly/2BD6AIV (or maybe the "9" is a "g") 
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The magazine publisher frame and the design company, Moooi, have announced the launch of an inaugural design competition. "The frame Moooi Award is looking for the best furniture and lighting that have been designed for a specific interior. The winning project will be published in frame magazine and its designer will receive the grand prize: a jaw-dropping 25,000 euros." Application on are online: framemoooi.com. Closing date is 1st December, 2011. 
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The Wereldmuseum, in Rotterdam, has said it may sell its complete collection of African artifacts to raise monies. The Museum said it could raise as much as 60 million euro. The monies would be used to aid the Museum's financial balance sheet that is now threatened by government subsidy cuts. 
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If you are job hunting, click on to www.brakkegrond.nl. The Belgium Cultural Center is looking for a new director. The deadline is 22nd September. If you have questions, e-mail to: leen.laconte@brakkengrond.nl 
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The Jan van Eyck Academie has announced a call for applications. The deadline for applying is 1st October. The design school has been cited by the Int Herald Tribune, in past years, as the best in the world. For questions contact: Leon Westenberg at: leon.westenberg@janvaneyck.nl, For more info: https://bit.ly/2w650d8 
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Check this out: Five international culturally related directors/administrators give their views in an article titled, "Backstage, worries over culture's future," by Roslyn Sulcas. (www.iht.com, 27th August.) 
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A sign of the times: Pre-sales of tickets for the new theatre season have dropped 14% compared to this time last year because of the increase in sales tax (BTW) from 6% to 19% the theatre managers organization reported..." https://www.dutchnews.nl/ 
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The Dutch government socio-cultural advisory group SCP reported that "Richer households continue to benefit more from government spending but their share of total government outgoings is declining." Hey! you say, that's good! Why should the rich benefit more than the proletariat. But then you read on. "The researchers say the share of government spending enjoyed by higher income household will continue to decline as the government slashes spending on childcare, the arts and culture and increases the cost of higher eduction." (www.DutchNews.nl) Guess what, both the poor and middle class benefit from childcare, the arts & culture and higher education. Of course, another important factor that has been left out of this equation is that those who play the instruments, act, direct and light the stages and create the art, as well as, teach at the universities are generally the middle class. They are the ones being put put out work by the cuts. Folks, it's time for a new government. Kid you not!
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...And speaking of the need for a new government...Last July, Pretty Boy Geert issued a statement condemning the Madman of Norway for his actions. Most notably, in his statement, he said, "The Party of Freedom has never called for violence and will never do so." This, 3D assumes, was meant to deny any culpability in the incidence. The Madman of Norway made at least 30 references to Pretty Boy Geert and his anti-Islamic PVV party in his manifesto. Pretty Boy recently had a court case dismissed against him where it was ruled he had the right to free speech. Well, yes, that's true. But do you have the right to yell fire in a crowded cinema? In the stampede that results can you say, "Common, it was a joke!" Pretty Boy is inciting people against ethnics much in the same way that the Nazis did towards the Jews. And another similarity he has with the Nazis, he wants to ship those of the Islamic faith back to their Moslem homelands. Well, I guess you can say that is more "humanitarian" then what the Nazis did. But, to 3D, it's de ja vu all over again.
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MUSEUM REVIEW: De Nieuwe Kerk, Dam Square

The Amsterdam couturier Mart Visser has been appointed Kerk Meester (Church Warden) for De Nieuwe Kerk, for 2011. On the 26th of August he offered his first exhibition which is an installation with a theme relating to Dutch clothing designers---past and present---that specializes in bridal dresses. 

He has selected what he considers to be the "finest examples of bridal couture, combined with a number of art works by leading couturiers and artists." 

And it is a spectacular selection. You will see a range of designs from the traditional (almost) to the conceptual---for want of a better term. An example of the latter might be the conceptual geometric/abstract design by Pauline van Dongen which is both simple, dramatic and elegant. It stands next to a design by our host, Mart Visser, which could be for an Islamic wedding since part of the design veils the face (when 3D mention this to Visser, he paused a moment, then replied, "Yes." Then there is a Frans Molenaar bridal dress that is very sophisticate and chic. Fong Leng mixes western traditional with a Chinese element. 

There are 30+ outfits on display; plus there are 265 female store window mannequins and 135 male mannequins standing around nude. The males you will have to strain your neck to see since they are aligned along the ceiling of the church. 

Unfortunately, there is one downside to the show if you are not Dutch. Generally, De Nieuw Kerk administration provide both Dutch and English information. Not so this time. While the liner notes for each bridal gown are abbreviated they are only in Dutch. There is a small booklet, that one is presented with when they buy their ticket, and it does have about a 200 word English language introduction, however the written profiles for the designers is only in Dutch. Pity! 

Until 2nd October 2011. 

Entrance 10 euro. 

More info at: https://www.nieuwekerk.nl/ 
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WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK: 

"Imaginary Perceptions" is the title for an exhibition by Maaike Anne Stevens (UK) at Artpocalypse Collective (2e Laurierdwarsstraat 64). Ms Stevens is a constructionist working mainly with cardboard. The style might be described as fractionated geometric abstraction. She recreates, sometimes, photos into a chaotic abstraction that resembles only vaguely what came first. She says, "I am interested in this state of visual confusion, in which things have a certain form, before the brain structures them into logical and useful information." This is her second showing the the Netherlands. She was represented by an English gallery at the Affordable Art Fair in 2008. Until 1st October. https://bit.ly/2LnEGAm 
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Jelica Cicic (Belgrade) has an extensive oeuvre that covers a range of styles and techniques from comic illustrations to geometric abstracted sculpture. The show could all so be described as a study black, white and red. The sculpted objects are rectangular, circular, triangular and conceptual in form. Two wall hangings---each in different shades of material---are attention getting. (60x30 cms., illustration/print @ 99 euro; 100x100 cms., textile, patchwork @ 445 euro; 45x45x45 cms., sculptured object/styrofoam @ 1,550.) Until 25th September. https://bit.ly/2zzw6O6                 https://bit.ly/2PAaS6D 
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At "gallery 9" (Keizersgracht 552) is a group show with three artists. For the first time, the gallery is showing photography. Sabine Richter (Germany) style is conceptual representational. She photographs a brick wall through a glass plate window. In the window is a reflection of a staircase. Your first thought is that this all came from a PhotoShop software program, but, no, it is a real snapshot. And the tension comes from the fact that it is difficult to focus on either the wall or the white rectangular lines that seem to emanate from it. (60x60 cms., c-print, aludibond, acrylic glass, @ 1,000 euro)...Anneke Klein Kranenbarg has an unusual style to express her linear conceptual forms. She uses plates of Plexiglas and inserts pin-size holes then weaves black thread through them and arranges their direction to form simple linear geometric/abstraction composition. Simple an very elegant. (25x25x3 cms., wood, Plexiglas, thread, @ 700 euro; 50x50x3 cms., opal Plexiglas, thread @ 1,375 euro.)...Gerhard Frömel (Austria) paints with acrylic on aluminium, but only in b/w. The aluminium sheets are cut and shaped in a dimensional representation. The b/w dichotomy added to the shaping creates an dramatic contrast while remaining very simple. (24x50x9.5 cms., acrylic on aluminium @ 1,800 euro; 62.5x62.5x7,cms., acrylic on aluminium @ 4,800 euro.) Until 1st October. https://bit.ly/2PvNdUQ 
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Ellen Grote Beverborg, now at Galerie Witteveen (Keizersgracht 538), is a painter of conceptual representational canvases that often border on being monochromatic. Neat trick! She pictures the flowers she paints out of context with reality. This produces not only tension----because of an almost abstract background---but also mystery....Showing with her is the work of Wout Herfkens who compliments the painter with conceptual sculpture work. What exactly is that meant to describe? Well, think of a platform, on wheels, that supports 24 small toy reindeer, lying on their backs, which in turn supports a cushion on which sits a Buddha-like figure. And some of the other pieces are even more bizarre. Oooops, forgot to check the price list. So sorry. Until 1st October. https://bit.ly/2NR0zdF 
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3D asked the gallerist at Galerie R. Katwijk (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198) how many previous shows he has had for Zhuang Hong Yi. He didn't know. But this must be at least the fourth. And for good reason, he sells. He is basically a colorist---and the Chinese are great with color. He does "flowers," sort of; and he's kitschy. The technique is paint and collage. The collage material is rice paper that is soaked in varnish, shaped, dried and painted. It will get your attention. (60x60 cms., mixed media @ 3.850 euro; 100x100 cms., mixed media @ 6,000 euro; 200x250 cms., mixed media @ 35,000.) Until 8th October. https://bit.ly/2ObCIFC 
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R&R:Reuten Galerie Amsterdam (Prinsengracht 534) has a group show. Lon Godin hangs conceptual paintings that are only in b/w. He forms geometric abstractions that have the feel of being washes but on very large canvases. The results are monumental. (40x30 cms., @ 980 euro; 250x150 cms., oil on linen @ 9,000 euro.)...Andrea Radai also hangs paintings and with a simple theme: Clouds. All the work is in b/w and infinite shades of gray. But don't let that put you off, there is something endearing about all the grayness. Maybe it has to do with being reminiscent of many a day in Holland. Nice work! (135x170 cms., oil on linen @ 4,800 euro; 250x300 cms, oil on linen @ 9,800 euro.)...Stefanie Mayer (Germany) does conceptual sculptures made of plaster. They sometimes appear to be figurative, but that is probably only what 3D sees in them. The forms are interesting and provoke thought. (2,800 to 4,800 euro.) Until 9th October. No website address for the gallery on the invite. 
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"Galerie bart" (Bloemgracht 2) begins its new season with a group show of three but two of the three is a duo. Adrian Woods and Gigi van Maarseveen show a series of conceptual photographs that's compositions are created in the studio as opposed to PhotoShop. The imagery varies from geometric/abstract to illusions of the sun on an horizon. The colors tend toward dark hues of blue. (21x30 cms., Lambda print, framed, Ed. 15 @ 450 euro; 42x60 cms., Lambda print, framed, Ed 10 @ 950 euro.)...Caroline van Pagée creates very colorful geometric/abstracts in the form of circles, rectangular slabs and pyramids. Each segment is a different color. She arranges the resulting objects then photographs them. (40x30 cms., print on MDF @ 440 euro; 65x43.5 print on MDF @ 770 euro; 88x60 cms., print on MDF @ 1,250 euro). Until 8th October. https://bit.ly/2m4yS4n 
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"g_i_s_t galerie" (Bloemgracht 82) presents Maartje Overmars who seems to cross multiple borders with several styles represented in one composition: conceptual, geometric/abstract, representational, etc. The colors are either dark or subdued. She seems to ignore red, yellow and even blue. (30x40 cms., @ 850 euro; 80x122 cms., @ 2,650 euro; 130c122 cms., @ 3,400.)...In a small annex is the work of Jonna Balk who does almost representational views of interiors on irregularly shaped wood. The colors are limited to cream, ochre and black lead. There is a natural rawness which is directly related to the materials. All are two dimensional. Good work! (25x45 cms., wood, lead and paper @ 700 euro; 80x120 cms., wood, lead and paper @ 1,950 euro.) Until 8th Otober. https://bit.ly/2ORLnfX 
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Photographs of Shanghai citizens is the theme employed by Reiner Gerritsen showing at Eduard Planting Fine Art Photograph (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2). Gerritsen presents group shots which focus on the people of the city. In one sense, though, they are all group shots, they are also studies in non-compositional composition. That is, he accepts the haphazard arrangement of the grouping in the picture. A series of five could be titled, "Wearers of the mask." At least one person has on a face mask to protect against air pollution. (110x90 cms., Ed. 5 @ 4,750 euro; 106x175 cms., Ed 5 @ 3,850 euro.) Until 15th October. https://bit.ly/2lZLxFJ 
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Matthew Monahan is showing at Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140). Monahan presents an eye-popping show. He is a sculptor who also does mixed-media drawings. As to the sculptured work, it is all figurative but in surreal forms. Oddly enough, the unifying factor---which is in the material used---is not what gives the figurative its defining identity. Every piece uses, to one degree or another, white brick building blocks. The drawings are again figurative and almost portraits. But almost is the key word. But you got see them. Give this exhibition a WOW! (The list that described each piece did NOT include prices. Assume: expensive.)...In the front gallery is photography by Warrwen Neidich. The imagery is banal subject matter: beach scenes; surfers. What differentiates it form the tourist variety is the distortion of colors which he presents luridly. (120x80 cms., Pigment print, Ed. 3 @ 4,000 euro.) Until 15th October. https://bit.ly/2LZAAPK 
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Five people show at RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427). Floor de Bruyn Kops is a painter who emulates Henri Matisse in colors, forms/symbols and composition. But, with that said, the style is more simple. Thus you focus your attention more on the visual imagery as opposed to the composition. (40x40 cms., @ 450 euro; 100x100 cms., @ 2,500, 180x180 cms., @ 4,200 euro.)...Ena Rutten paintings could or could not be city scape's. The imagery is vague though the forms and colors are highly assertive. (acrylic or oil on linen @ 1,300 to 1,760 euro.)...Miriam Hagoort photography owes much to the 19th century style of the technique. While the colors are not sepia there is an illusion to it. The imagery is the city as seen through a fogged glass lens. The work is described as mixed-media on canvas and aluminium. (850 to 1,900 euro.)...Margot Pistor does figurative sculpture work in bronze. She employes a traditional and various styles in designing and molding. All are female nudes. (750, 1,400, 2,500, and 4,500 euro)...Inge de Waal draws large (150x115 cms.,) pastel chalk and charcoal works of elephants and bison. (1,800 to 1,900 euro.) Until 15th October. https://bit.ly/2mdb7ay 
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"foam" (Keizersgracht 609) has begun the new season with two openings in consecutive weeks. Raphaël Dallaporta was awarded the Paul Huf Award earlier this year. In this exhibition we see four individuals series; each with a totally different theme. "Fragile" pictures human organs from corpses. Excellent detail and certainly fit for a medical text. "Domestic Slavery" is about woman hired to be domestics and then enslaved. However it is not what you might expect to see as an illustration for this topic. No woman is pictured. What you view are large, luxury apartment building which become, in reality, their "prison." For "Ruins" he traveled with a French archaeologist to the north of Afghanistan and used a drone to photo the landscape. The resulting imagery can best be described as geometric/abstraction. One series of four could be photos of the sun, human body cells or color abstraction. It doesn't matter. Perhaps the most interesting segment of the show is based around the theme of mines and titled "Antipersonnel." There are several photos of the different types of antipersonnel mines used in war zones. You are amazed at the wide variety. And they are the frightening to look at because all are set against a black background making them more sinister. But read the linear notes. More often than not the description of the devise will sicken you still more. You are told their names, manufacturer, country of origin and where it is widely used. You will learn that "The Antipersonnel Blast Mine (PFM-1, Russian Federation) known as 'Butterfly' can be dispersed with the VSM-1 mine-laying system [which] can lay 7,424 PFM-1s over a length of two km., from a single delivery container mounted on a helicopter." Scary! Until 26th October.

Can a potato take on a monumental representation? Yeah, it can! As you enter "foam" and come to the small vestibule, where the stair cases are located, and look to the right you wll see on the wall a poster measuring about four meters high by three meters wide featuring two potatoes; a typical russet and an all black one; they are juxtaposed to each other. Impressive. The show's title is "Still/Life-Contemporary Dutch Photography." In contemporary photography, "A major aspect is that instead of taking photos as a (representation of reality), today's photographer take photos (entirely staged)." You will see 28 photographers---some working in tandem. Each does "still-life" but it might not always be apparent. There is the simple: a floating apple against a cobalt blue background to an elaborate display of a table setting which is seemingly mirrored two times. But look closely and see how each is slightly different. There are the plates of fruit or vegetables to the contemporary confectionery delights showing a Coke can, Bounty bar and all the items are "melting" into a primary color puddle. In another gallery, there is a series of 16 still life each composed and featuring the same flower arrangement and each in a different color pattern. Another series is an example of geometric/abstraction made conceptual with a spilled coffee cup or spilled paint can. Two b/w nudes 3D would argue are NOT still lifes, but, hey, who am I? Don't miss the two front galleries, along the Keizersgracht (there should be an arrow pointing in their direction). This is where the still lifes become truly avant garde.Sometimes as objects; sometimes as an installation. One of the latter, has two huge wall pieces, opposite of the other, with an HD video player projecting imagery in the middle. In the smaller gallery, next door, a "simple" installation featuring photos of crunched paper is absolutely dramatic set against the blue stripe running down the wall and across the floor. Great! Until 26th October. https://bit.ly/2Lavlwl 
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If you don't go fast sometimes you don't have a chance to know. So, hurry, hurry, hurry to the Vlaams Cultural Center (Nes 45) for a remarkable show of 44 photographers---and a few video artists---representing 14 countries. Expect to see from contemporary to avant garde style photography. There is an incredible range to behold in both styles and techniques: b/w, color, contrast, motion, collage, conceptual, etc, etc, etc. The exhibition was organized by Chris (he left his calling cards at home) who is the curator at the museum for County Cork in Ireland. And to make that more interesting, he hails from St. John Newfoundland at the end of the civilized world. Until 11th September. That's right! This SUNDAY. Hurry, hurry, hurry. 
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...And there you have it. The first week of the new Amsterdam' Art Season. Excitement galore awaits the ambitious soul who challenges the Dutch elements and seeks out the aesthetic. And you will be sure to see 3D trudging alone---albeit a little slower than last year---and still doing his thing. Come join me to see what is so addictive about the endless surprises awaiting you in the Amsterdam art world.

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