Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #65

The start of the new Amsterdam art season has been a very busy one. From gallery openings to art fairs to lecture programs to the opening of the New Stedelijk Museum (see review on previous posting). There have been exhibitions with several red dots indicating sales. And the prices have been generally lower at most galleries except for the exceptions.

Some galleries did not opened their doors this year and will be missed. But it is a sign of the times. And other signs of the downturn are less shows for galleries over the coming year; several no longer print invitations; and hapjes? we are down to peanuts, pretzels and potato chips. Several exhibitions are for two month periods. Oddly enough, one gallery, Jaski, has done just the opposite with shows of only two weeks duration; and from the number of red dots, at these shows, they may be on to something. 

...And 3D has awarded two WOWs!!!

It is up to you, Amsterdam, to support all the cultural activities of this great city; especially since the government is phasing out its participation. 

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Museum Review:  "foam," Diane Arbus (1923-1971) 

                                FIRE! at Stadsarchief Amsterdam

Restaurant Review: WAVES: Sea Food & Grill

What You Have Missed:

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BITS & PIECES:

Amsterdam Art Weekend is from the 30th of November, Friday, to the 2nd of December, Sunday. There are 27 galleries and art institutes participating; special programs are offered by many of them. On Saturday, from 10 a.m., eight galleries will offer a complementary breakfast. More info at: www.capitala.nl 
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3D mentioned on the last list that the new Stedelijk Museum is offering special programs for the public. On the 2nd December there is "In: Quest of Icarus. From the 30th Nov 'til the program, on Sunday, you can watch the rehearsal and the construction of the theater sets in the Teijn Auditorium. On the 6th of Dec., "Collection Close-Up." And on the 7th Dec., a "special Event with Johnson Chang." For more info: https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl
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On the 15th December the Stedelijk will open a major retrospective exhibition for Mike Kelley, (1954-2012, USofA) and 200 works will be shown that span his 35 year art' career. He worked in several styles and techniques: paintings, sculpture, works on paper, installation, performance, music, video, photography, collaborative works and critical texts. www.stedelijk.nl 
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The Rijksmuseum will open its new renovated building this coming April. They have announced in conjunction with this event the launching of Rijksstudio, an online presentation of 125,000 works in its collection. "To celebrate this digital milestone, the Rijksmuseum is asking leading international artists, designers and architects to become pioneers of Rijksstudio by selecting one work from the collection and using it creatively to create a new art work." Details at: www.rijksmuseum.nl (click on to "Rijksstudio.)
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The Emdash Award is part of the FRIEZE London extravaganza. It is open to young artist up to 35 years of age. The prize will cover production cost of up to 10,000 UK pounds, an artist's fee, pre diems, travel expenses and a studio residency in London from August to October, 2013. Closing date for application is: 16th January, 2013. https://bit.ly/2deaIhP 
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The Stedelijk @ IDFA. "The Stedelijk will enter into a partnership with the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam that will last several years." More info @ www.stedelijk.nl 
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The Amsterdam Light Festival will illuminated things in the city from 7th Dec to 13th Jan. "Light sculptures by contemporary (International)  artists can be admitted and the centre of Amsterdam, and buildings will be lit enchantingly or on the contrary artistically." [sic] For more info: www.amsterdamlightfestival.com
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The "World's greatest artists coming together in Amsterdam for unique art fair." That's what the press released said and the term "unique" made me curious. 3D now assumes that one of the elements that make it unique is the fact that it is for ONE DAY only. The artists will represent Japan, USofA, UK, China, Russia, Brazil and Australia. The date is the 1st of December at De Oude Kerk (Oudekerksplein 23). The entry fee is 15 euro; and there is a VIP reception. See: https://oudekerk.nl/
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Check out DASARTS fall programs for the month of December. There are several lectures and discussions plus film. www.dasarts.nl  
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The Affordable Art Fair was reviewed on a previous 3D List posting. I have done a spot check of a hand full of galleries that participated. Some said that the crowds were good and others said there were fewer visitors than in years previously...And almost everyone said that NO ONE was buying. There were a few exceptions but, unfortunately, not many. According to the AAF, 16,000 people visited the fair.
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The Club of Amsterdam is celebrating its 10th anniversary of an astounding eclectic list of lectures that range from advertising to science to design to beauty to current affairs. The next presentation and anniversary party is the 6th December at India House Amsterdam. More info at: www.clubofamsterdam.com 
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The Sketchbook Project is accepting artists to participate in their yearly program. "You'll receive an empty book to fill with whatever you can imagine...Pick a theme and it will be shared with thousands." So far in 2012, over 30,000 sketchbooks were viewed in 14 cities across the world. www.sketchbookproject.com
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Art Platform Los Angeles, last month attracted three Amsterdam galleries: Aan de Amstel/Amsterdam Art Gallery, PS and Art Affairs. The latter, was so pleased that they have rented a studio space at The Brewery, to show international artists, in "downtown" LA. (LA has a downtown?) More info @ www.artaffairs.net 
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"Is Your Art Career Where You Want It to Be?" If not, Klein Artists' Works has a free video that reveals "The three key ingredients to a financially successful art career WITHOUT selling out!" Hmmmm, well, there's that. https://bit.ly/2Q9CXSF
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The endurance artist, David Blaine---remember his 63 hours inside of a block of ice? or a week inside of a coffin or his six weeks without food in a glass box over the London' Thames River? His next stunt will be 72 hours standing on a pillar six meters high with an "enormous array of Tesla electrical coils" surrounding him. And you can see it live at: www.youtube.com/electrified. Strangely enough, the announcement didn't mention a date.
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Does any of 3D's readers still indulge themselves in MAD MAGAZINE? It is now 60 years since its introduction and it had much to do with changing the way the world---especially, America---saw things. If you are a devotee---or were---check this out: "Totally Mad: 60 Years of Humor, Satire, Stupidity and Stupidity." [sic] It is 256 wild pages long and priced at $34.95 and promises "generous samples of the wicked ad spoofs, parodies and send-ups" over the period. 
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Piet Mondrian loathed the color green. Most artist do have favorite colors. An article in the IHT (www.iht.com, 24th Oct) titled "Captivated by the purity of blue" by Natelie Angier explains it further. "For the French fauvist painter and collector gourmand Raoul Dufy, blue was the only color with enough strength of character to remain blue in all its tones...Scientist have lately been captivated by blues optical purity, complexity and metaphorical fluency." Ironically, as a teenager, and into my twenties, my favorite color was powder blue and blue cobalt. It is now RED!
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EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA---FLASH: Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman, has resigned from his position at the Daily Planet as a reporter. He reportedly said, "After 70 years, I am still only a reporter. It is time to look at other career possibilities." How about a posting a blog, Clark. And there is more...Lois Lane, his long time squeeze, is seeing someone new. Oh, the horror...the horror...Is nothing sacred?
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...And keeping to the lighter side of the news is this from the comic strip Non Sequitor concerning news over the Internet or other social networks. As some of you may know, there is a steady diet of fallacious screed that flows through cyberspace constantly. A little research generally reveals it for what it is which is nothing and just down right malicious. 

The intro to Non-Sequitor is: Bernie and Phil's retirement home zeigeist. Phil: "I heard you died Bernie." Bernie: "Uh...nope. Still here." Phil: "You sure? It was from a pretty reliable source." Bernie: "Do us all a favor and stay off the Internet, Phil."
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...And then there is Laser 3.14: "Life: A Great Misantisophic experience" and it was written upside down. 3D had to stand on his head to read it at Vroulkstraat 296. Oh, yeah, "Sophic: indicating  knowledge or intellectual system." Whatever. And when you Google antisophic you get Rosicrucian's, Gnostic Theory and Hinduism." Again, whatever! Laser is getting heavy.

On the 15th of Nov., I saw a new Laser 3.14 quotable on the Nieuw Spiegelstraat----I  said to myself, "He's gone BIG TIME!". I didn't have time to stop and write it down. But I went back the next day to do so. As you know, Laser only spray paints on plywood that is used to block windows during a space renovation. Well, over night, Laser was covered with a series of posters. And so it goes...
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Chocolate lovers...It doesn't get any better. There was a recent reception at Pinaki Studios & Chocolátl (Hazenstraat 25). Chocolate is in...the new designer "drug." But, hey, it is not only delicious chocolate but it is good for the heart and blood. There was an exhibition titled "Edible Surfaces." This was chocolate "art." Looks so good you don't want to eat it! Indeed, the chocolate has been molded into avant garde forms and are geometric/abstractions. The shop is open with a full line of boutique chocolates. Mmmmmmm, good!
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Picasso said, "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." From: Vicious Circle, by Robert Little, a thriller based on the endless tragic soap opera of the Palestine people and the Israelis. If you don't understand the problem, this book, a thriller, explains it...and the hopelessness of the situation.
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According to the 19th century promoter, P.T. Barnum, "There is a sucker born every minute!" He also said, "Money is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master." Amen!
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3D  read this recently. "There are three problems with old age. 1. Your memory isn't what it use to be. 2....Damn, forgot the other two." Hmmmm. Now where did I read that? I forgot! 

MUSEUM REVIEW: 

"foam," (Keizersgracht 607) 

Diane Arbus took her own life at 48 years. Pity, because about that time she did the big exodus was when she was hitting her stride as an accomplished photographer. Her best work began to emerge during the 60s and reached its peak by the end of the decade. 

This exhibition at "foam" is her first major show, of late, in the Netherlands (note: there were two exhibitions at both the Abbe and Stedelijk back in the 70s). You will see about 200 works "her most famous pictures alongside others less familiar and virtually unpublished works." They hang in the museum main gallery and five smaller ones. Some contain "biographical material, books, personal note books, correspondences and other writing." 

She was a master of b/w and light contrast. Many might claim there is too much contrast; that the photos are dark and murky. And that may be so, however the technique works well to capture the pathos of the subject matter. Let's start at the beginning...

"Boy with straw hat" (1967) is an iconic work of hers; and it brings back the bitter-sweet memories for any American who lived through the 60s. The "boy" is holding Old Glory---the American flag---and wearing a button supporting America's war in Viet Nam. One of 3D's favorites is "A young Brooklyn family"(1966). Two young kids with kids of their own look morose as they stare blankly into the camera's lens. And then there are photos of movies theaters along 42nd Street; Coney Island scenes---including fire-eater and sword swallower. A kiss from "Baby Doll" (the film, 1959?) is a brilliant work as is "Half-man, half woman (1962) and her self portrait taken when she was pregnant (1945, and the earliest work on display) is exceptional. Don't miss "Santa's at Santa Claus school" (1964) and the young waitress at a nudist colony (1963), funny. In fact, there are several portrait pieces taken at nudist colonies. 

Her outstanding talent was her eye at picking out ordinary people, the non-glamorous, non-attractive and totally anonymous and making them into extraordinary subjects. There are a few exceptions like the portrait of a young Norman Mailer (1963). Other subject matter includes, carnival  freaks and transvestites. All the prints---with a few exceptions---are gelatin-silver prints and were made by Arbus. 

There are several books on sales. A catalog of the show is 27.50 euro; there is a nice collection of  17 "post-cards" in a preselected package @ only 9.95 euro. And more...Until 13th January, 2013; www.foam.nl 
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Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Vijzelstraat 32. 

FIRE!

A house fire is a tragedy. And it comes in degrees. It can be an inconvenient tragedy in which the fire is contained and does little damage aside form the soot and water damage left behind; an in between tragedy where everything is destroyed; or a major tragedy when there is loss of life. 

The current exhibition at Stadsarchief Amsterdam looks at FIRE! from three sides and through the eyes, that is, the lensof three photographers: Anoek Steketee, Henk Wildschut and Martin Luijendijk. Not a pleasant show to see, but then the subject matter is anything but pleasant. The exhibition commemorates the 300th anniversary of the death of Jan ven der Heijden who was the inventor of the fire hose that "created a new, effective way of fighting fire." Until 6th January. https://bit.ly/1WeP2EC 
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RESTAURANT REVIEW: 

WAVES: Sea Food & Grill, Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 27  

If you walk down the Lange Leidsedwaarstraat you run a gauntlet of hawkers." Nearly every restaurant has someone standing in front enticing people to try their menu. WAVES caught my attention because part of their "selling feature" was, "We've only been open a couple of months. We try harder!" 

I walked into the cramped space on a Sunday evening at around 20:00. Nearly every seat was taken. 

And, of course, a restaurant with a name like WAVES can only be a fish joint, but they do serve meat---steaks to hamburgers---and vegetarian dishes. I was only interested in that from the sea, however. 

There is a nice selection of "starters fish" with squid (@4,50), grilled octopus (7,50), squid stuffed with spinach (6.50), shrimp cocktail (7,50) and fish mousse (4.50). 

A nice range of seven salads: octopus (8.50), shrimp (8.50)  and Greek (7.50). And a fish soup.

The fish entrees range from grilled salmon fillet (16,00), grilled trout (14.50), grilled sea bass (18.50) Dorado Royal (18.50), and shrimps skewer with bacon (19.50). There is also a children's menu. 

I have had a desire for British Fish & Chips for some time and I had seen it on the outdoor chalkboard. Let's give it a try. 

My waitress came up to the table with a bowl of soup. I started to say, "There's been a mistake..." But she was prepared for me. "You ordered Fish & Chips. That's one of our three daily specials, today. Soup and desert are included." Cool! It was a thick soup---with a wedge of lemon included---with a good variety of sea foods. And delicious! 

As to the entree, well, if you are British you will probably be disappointed because the fish is neither cod nor haddock, but trout. Also, the fish has been cut into nugget size helpings. You do have a choose between thick cut fries or "shoestring" sizes, like they serve at McDonald's. The serving size was generous and even more notable was the flavor, it was still there having been perfectly cooked and there was a limited amount of batter. Fresh and succulent. After finishing it, I was rather sated and actually considered passing on the desert until I saw it being delivered to a neighboring table: vanilla and strawberry ice cream with a drizzling of chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Bring it on!

The wine list is short. A French labeled Chardonnay or rosé or syrah will cost you 3.50/glass and 17.50/bottle. Other wines are from South Africa, Italy and Australia and priced from 21 to 40 euro. Oh, yeah, there is also a "fancy" cocktail list.

As to the ambiance, well, admittedly the floor area is small and the tables are pushed together, but there is warmth. Along one wall is an avant-garde sculpture pieces of 13 gray fish arranged against a corresponding gray wall. At the back there are a series of hanging lamps shaped like a fish and in different colors.

This isn't a restaurant for the special night out but one that is a joy to both the pallet and wallet when you are just hungry...And DON'T forget to check the outdoor chalk board for the three daily specials. They change about once a week. 

The service is fast and friendly. Honest food at an honest price. 

https://bit.ly/2NUfZgZ  

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WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED...but there may still be time...So, HURRY!

RudolfV (Kerkstraat 427) has had their last opening and showed about 175 artists. 3D had to return, a week later, just to see what was on the wall; the gallery was packed to capacity at the preview. The exhibition is a great finale for a gallery that has had  a lack of appreciation by the Amsterdam art community. Pity! A great space and several outstanding artists have shown here over the last fifteen years. 3D will miss Rudolf's ties. He wore different one for each show. However, on it was a silkscreen of a work done by each of the artists' exhibiting. Cool! Most people never noticed. You have until the 14th of January to see what the gallery was all about. Oh, yeah, NINE RED DOTS. https://bit.ly/2mdb7ay 
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One gallery closes and another opens...So there is optimism in the air...A new gallery BOETZELAER NEPSIN (De Clercqstraat 64) had its second opening recently. Chad Burt (Canada) is now at De Ateliers for their two year residency program. His styles and techniques cover a wide field: paintings, installations and video work. He is a conceptualist with both a minimalistic and near monochromatic approach to painting. You will see a little of Rothko, Ad Reinhardt and touches of early Kandinsky as he meanders between the simple to the colorful. As interesting as are the paintings so to are his objects. There is a table with an object dip-tych. To the right, there is a pile of Styrofoam blocks covered with a blue shell; and to the left is a pile of blue Plasticine shards that once were a covering for the Styrofoam blocks....and there are other surprises.  (750 euro to 1,500 euro to 3,000 euro)  Until 16th February. 
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...And just next door at Jeanie Hofland Contemporary Art (Clercqstraat 62) is the work of Jasper Hagenaar who is a skilled painter though at first his work appears to be fuzzy with a certain amount of vagueness to the imagery. But, a closer inspection reveals nuances and subtle juxtaposition of contrast. On viewing a painting of a wooded area it is like looking at the scene through a morning mist and you nearly miss out on the two minute figures standing in a clearing. "The Collector" pictures beautifully detailed butterflies; and "Broken Hollywood" is a small masterpiece. So simple and so demonstrative. A dip-tych is a b/w wash illustrating an erupting volcano spewing ash. (2x15x20 cms., oil on paper on panel @ 1,200 euro; 36x29 cms., oil on panel @ 1,500 euro; 51x57 cms., oil on panel @ 2,200)  THREE RED DOTS. Until 2nd February. www.jeaninehofland.nl
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HUIS MARSEILLE Museum for Photography (Keizersgracht 401) has mounted a large retrospective exhibition for Viviane Sassen the noted fashion photographer. Her work has appeared in the avant garde fashion magazines such as POP, Wallpaper, Numéro, Purple and Dazed & Confused. The press release says, that these shoots are "exciting, experimental, creative, modern character of contemporary fashion." There are some 300 photographs, however, many are exhibited as part of a slide presentation. One large gallery is designed as an installation with video projections which are artfully visualized. The upper gallery features conceptual photographs. The focus is still the female form by from several unusual perspectives. In a hallway, there is a large photograph that portrays a woman in a ball-like elaborate and colorful dress in a field of red/pink tulips. Great piece! In the basement, there are more personal photographs like those of her friends; not to mention, sketch books. There is also a catalog. 3D leafed through it and saw several photographs that made me regret they had not been in the show. I asked for info about the catalog, but there was none...What a way to run a museum.  Until 17th March. www.huismarseille.nl
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Edward Kochinski (Pol/NL)  is showing at---problem, there were no invites to take away and the gallery has NO name---(Keizersgracht 274) with views of Amsterdam. Everyone with a camera sees this city differently and so does Kochinski. But, where he stands out is in the fact that Amsterdam is more often than not just the background; his focus is on people and things. He captures them in parks, clubs, embracing in the street, etc. The work for the most part is b/w but there are a few color photos as well. He looks at everything from different angles, perspectives and captures either the mood or an emotion and often both. There are two that 3D considers small masterpieces. (120 euro to 500 euro). Until 31st December. Call for an appointment at (020) 627.68.68. 

Abner Preis (USofA/Israel) is at Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 34) with a 38 minute film/DVD. It is a curious work but it certainly holds your attention. 3D walked through the black curtained-off space just minutes from the film's ending. The loop began again and I watched until the end. It is a silent movie that takes place somewhere during the 20s; flappers, hoods and "freaks" of the Roaring 20s populate the scenes and preform in mime and slow motion. And while that is attention getting, it is the music that rounds off everything very nicely. There is a dark and murky background that sets off the actors. I was most interested in the music credits but there were none. I asked the artist about this and he said he had four different soundtracks that he used. Interesting. And at the front of the gallery, it is the same thing all over again, but illustrated with cell stills. They captures the mood of the film nicely. (30x40 cms., Ed 5 @ 950 euro, incl frame; 38 minute DVD @ 5,000 euro.)  Until 13th January. www.gabrielrolt.com 
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MENEER MALASCH (Postjeweg 2) brings back another "Triple AAA Sale Show/2012" much like what he showed at the Affordable Art Fair. There are 19 artists represented and include the likes of Andy Warhol, Larry Clark, Gilbert & George, Matthew Barney, et al. While most styles and techniques are represented the emphasis seems to be on painting. And the works hanging, and by several artists, are excellent examples of the contemporary painterly oeuvre. Malasch also offers stocking-stuffing gifts such as multiples, art books, music, T-shirts and signed posters. Until ___?____. https://bit.ly/2PDOysT 
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SINNOCENCE sounds like a coined term and I have little doubt that Ray Ceasar (Canada) has formulated it accurately. Basically, he works crosses over the centuries of art history. There is the classic 18th and 19th century pastoral-like settings. But both are populated with the same innocent nymphs who seem to share an affinity with Lolita. But it is the posing, the dresses and the composed and fabricated scenes that is at the heart of his work. We go from little girl innocence to jail-bait sophistication. They are signed and numbered prints. (50x50 cms., to 150x150 cms., Ed 20 @ 2,400 to 8,300 euro.)  NINE RED DOTS at opening. Until ___?___. www.kochxbos.nl 
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KUNST IS KUNST (Nieuwevaart 200)  is not an easy gallery to find. Even the A'dam map is not clear on its location. However there is a map on their web-site that works nicely. The gallery is only a few years old and while the space is a private residency it is such a space that the overall interior design works. Built by the couple, Marian Bijlenga and Kees de Vries, to their specifications the space demands nearly as much attention as does the art work.

Currently, Lisanne Sloots who is an expressionist working in mixed media, b/w and on both paper and canvas. She uses primarily ash residue that she collects from archaeological digs. The imagery is confusing. That is, you can't really ascertain the form or even a continuity in the b/w contrast. But that's what produces the mysterious elements that captivate your attention. The sizes range from A4 to three+ meters by 250 cms....Marian Bijlenga had several shows at the now defunct BINNEN. She works with material but creates unusual "tapestries" and forms. She takes strips of material or crochets  small patch-like pieces. Inserts a large sewing pin through each one and sticks the pin in the wall allowing about 2-3 cms., of space between the piece and the wall. What you get is "two" works: The collage of "tapestries" and the shadow of them on the wall...Teja van Hoften works in ceramic. The imagery of the pieces are internal human organs: heart, kidneys, arteries, lungs, et al. But she sees them in the abstract and it is this latter interpretation that sets each work out from being just an anatomical representation. Some pieces hang from the wall and other are better suited for laying on the floor or a table. Sorry, it is closed. 3D had attended the finissage. https://bit.ly/2NPMaxU 
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Here is an interesting show for an African artist from Zimbabwe, Margaret Majo at Red Stamp Gallery (Rusland 22). Overall, her work is conceptual redundantcy which is both figurative and representational. She does what could be described as "recovery-recycling" works. That is, she takes used bottle caps and flattens them. She then paints on each. Some are a series of cartoon faces and other a series of daily life images in Africa. She works with different themes and maintains a relationship with the bottle caps and the frames which she makes to complement the 120 or so caps. Some of her miniature "portraits" would make Picasso proud. She does the work all in b/w or all in glorious colors. The latter mostly shows African scenes and its animals. (30x30 cms., @ 3,000 euro; 87.5x87.5 cms., @ 12,000 euro.)  Until 24th February. www.redstampartgallery.com, www.fondazionesarenco.com. 3D suggest you call for an appointment, (o6) 46.40.65.31. The gallery never seems to be open.
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At RON MANDOS (Prinsengracht 282) Ron van der Ende does cars. He works with old wood and fashions an amazing construction that replicate the essence of the four wheel monsters. There are two pieces that represent autos from the past. All look as real as the monthly payment you get when you buy one. He also does circles and ovals that are just as captivating. FOUR RED DOTS. (160x165x12 cms., base relief, salvaged wood @ 18,000 euro; 120x245x12 cms., base relief, salvaged wood @ 22,000 euro.)

Showing, too, is Bas Louter who also does cars. He paints them, well, sort of. While the works look like cars they are really geometric abstraction in b/w and shades of gray. (74x105 cms., charcoal, graphite, chalk and [pastel @ 4,000 euro; 205x152 cms., charcoal, graphite and pastel on paper @ 8,000 euro.)...Finally, Boris Tellegen, who works mainly on paper with several images and mixed media. In a sense, the work is like a sculpture in that it is dimensional. Nice! (2,100 euro.)  Until 12th January. www.ronmandos.nl 
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Henk van den Bosch is at BRANDT (Prinsengracht 799) with work that looks from a distance like it is a realistic representation of exteriors and interior views of homes designed by a member of the Bauhaus movement. But, surprise, get up close and it's contemporary impressionism flavored with elements of linear geometric abstraction. The work is well balanced with the modern architecture and traditional trees. (45x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,700 euro; 75x100 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,800 euro; 120x150 cms., oil on canvas @ 4,350 euro.)  Until 30th December. No web-site address on invite. 
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LUMEN TRAVO (Prinsengracht 314) features Meschac Gaba and it is a curious show. Gaba has made gold sculpture works of human brains. However, it is more than that. Each one is assigned a name: Albert Einstein, Abe Lincoln, Louis Pasteur, Jesus Christ and a few African leaders. She has also redesigned several paper pieces that resemble currency from the dollar to the euro. She inserts new elements into the engraving plate such as photos of personalities. Until 12th January. www.lumentravo.nl 
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Unfortunately, I missed the opening at Gerhard Hofland (Bilderdijkstraat 165c) for their group show. I did go on the 1st of December for a performance and expected to makes comments on it as well as the exhibition. However, the space was filled with smoke. 3D couldn't see a thing. I told Hofland not to panic...I had called the fire department. Oooops! False alarm. The performance, according to the invite, was by Joris van de Moortel. He had a smoke machine and it really worked well. He was lost in a cloud. The music, well, more proper to refer to it as "sounds" were just that, sounds.www.gerhardhofland.com 
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"The Last Dance" was an apt title for Suzanne Dechert last curated exhibition at the Melkweg Gallery (Marnixstraat 409). She had been at it for 27 years and 320 shows. The finale hung 31 photographers that had had exhibitions at the gallery. The invite listed them in red and also listed the other 289 artists in b/w. Expect to see Diana Blok, Cindy Mahler, Erwin Olaf, Thom Hoffman, Yee Ling Tang, et al. Until 20th January. 
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Piet Stockmans is a master ceramic/porcelain artist. Since 1982, he has had 10 shows at De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135). There is an installation at the gallery's entrance that is site-specific. It is a conical porcelain object that seems to have held a liquid substance which has since leaked onto the floor. Cool! His work is always simple, very simple. And his style ranges from the pragmatic and traditional and on the way it stumbles onto the conceptual. Stockmans' makes it work. He can somehow take the simple and make it complex. In this show, there are five examples of this. Twenty-five porcelain shards---that are similar in shape and color---are grouped together, on the wall, in clumps. Three one meter high porcelain objects are standing together and could not be more elegant. (500 euro to 950 euro to 1,325 euro to 5,000 euro.) Until 3rd January. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl  
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WALLS (Prinsengracht 373) exhibits 17 artists---3D had to take off his shoes to count them all. Koen Dudink does "stony works on wood" his definition, not mine. The work is monochromatic. It looks like a hundred tiny bones grouped together as a collage. He molds them from clay then drops them from a height of two meters which gives each their final and individual unique shape. (1,550 to 4,950 euro)...Silas has an easy Pop School style but his painting technique raises it a few notches. (2,900 to 4,200 euro.)...Wim de Leeuw does b/w photography which is both heavy on the black and contrast. Nice! (50x70 cms., @ 300 euro; 40x30 cms., @ 200 euro)...Ruben Maalman does pencil drawings and has a unique technique and it does capture the attention. His painting on Clark Kent metamorphosing into Superman is very good. (1,000 euro.)...Martine Johanna paints female portraits. Her technique is good and the compositions imaginative. (400 to 3,000 euro.)...And there is more, much more. You have until 16th January to check it out. https://bit.ly/2LRAexM  
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"gCS" (Postjesweg 6)  shows Roos Holleman with birds of a feather...and all that...might be a good general description of the show. The emphasis is on birds---if you haven't guessed---and is subject matter that the artist has used as an inspiration over the years. An anecdote from Picasso gives a reason for this almost obsession, "You can learn everything there is to know about drawing by drawing pigeon' feet." Next time a pigeon invades your terrace table, check it out. Of course, bird's feathers are delicate and also demanding to draw as well. Holleman does it two ways. Sometimes 3D would describe the style as representational impressionistic conceptual monochromatic. What a mouth full! There are two good examples of the latter. One is intensely black but you can still see that it is a bird. Five pencil drawings standout. Basically, she uses a scarlet red radish as a tension point to the b/w. The line drawings themselves----both the bird and the radish leaves/roots---are beautifully executed. The prices are very attractive. (62x42 cms., pencil and pastel on paper 75 euro or a five piece set @ 375 euro; 75x40 cms., pastel on paper @ 850 euro; 209x121 cms., chalk and pastel on paper @ 1,500 euro.)  Until 15th December. Until ___?____. https://bit.ly/2NjgosL
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ARTTRA (2e Boomdwaarstraat 4) hangs the work of Peter van der Heijden. His work has specialized on doing public space art. And on the side he does both collages and prints. At this show, it is prints that take center stage. They are digital and produced by making several scans of various subjects then mixing it all together. There is a strong flavor of the surreal but so nicely balanced with reality that the imagery becomes both abstract and expressionistic. The compositions are nicely realized. And, get this, it is original art by a long established artists that even a student can afford. Each work is in an edition of 15 (14 examples) and priced between 125 to 200 euro.)  Until 15th December. Ooops! It has closed. Sorry. www.arttra.com
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PERS MUSEUM presents a show that says "cartoonist are artist!" 3D established this point in a graduate paper I did on the comic strip. The cartoon is the most censored form of media. Why?  Because it reaches to the lowest level of literacy in any society---people who can't read still get the message. This exhibition shows why. One artist, that I found exceptional, was a woman born in Manama, Bahrain (1990). She "studied architecture but "found the political cartoon to be a very effective way of expressing her opinion through a simple drawing." Technically, she does a very good drawing and as to the editorial part, she is spot-on. And when asked  about her role in an Arab country she said she felt "completely free!...The picture of women in the Middle East and Islam is totally distorted abroad..." She asserts. A nice touch is that there is both a Dutch and English translation for her captions....the other cartoonist showing makes for a very well balanced show and reflects on the fact that the "Arab Spring" is neither a temporary aberration  nor one that the rulers can ignore. Some works are for sale. And there is a series of prints in an edition of 10 by Kifah al Reefi for only 50 euro, signed. The present location is, unfortunately, not permanent. It is located on the Museumplein and across from the American consulate office at Gabriel Metsustraat 2. www.persmuseum.nl  
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"C&H art space" (2e Kostverlorenkade 50) presents a group show consisting of gallery' artists and their invited guest. There are about 27 showing. The result is a mixed-bag of techniques ranging from drawings to paintings to typographical prints to objects and installations; and the styles are representational---both abstractly and expressionistic---to conceptual and everything in between. 3D won't single any one artist but I guarantee you'll find something that will make you want to open your wallet. Okay, I lied, here's one example. There is a representational expressionistic painting of a vase of flowers by Suzanna Treumann and the artists' list said, "Price on request." Hmmm,. That's always scary; it generally means you'll need a bank loan. Well, the painting was exceptional, so I asked how much? "1,450 euro!" Hey, that's nothing! Until 26th January. www.ch-artspace.com 
*** 
Jill Greenberg (USA/Canada) is once again showing at JASKI ART GALLEY (N. Spiegelstraat 29). She works in several techniques and mediums. About 20 years ago she discovered PhotoShop and life has never been the same. Her work has also evolved with its technological advances. This exhibit is all about horses. Horses of all descriptions. She captures the anatomical beauty of one of the most graceful animals. Each print is offered in three sizes. (61x51 cms., Ed 4, photo @ 4,000 to 5,000 euro; 176x148 cms., Ed. 3 @ 15,000 to 19,000 euro. Progressive pricing, 1/1 is cheapest and 4/4 most expensive.) FIVE RED DOTS There is also a 220 page catalog @ 50 euro. Until 16th December. www.jaski.nl  
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Galerie Roger Katwijk (Lange Leidsedwarstraat 198) has an interesting exhibition of drawings. Alexandra Roozen works on paper and makes reliefs and the b/w pencil drawings are captivating in both their detailed contrast. There are geometric forms like squares and circles and there is depth to each piece. But it is the beautiful b/w contrast that really gets your attention. The light illuminates nicely the overall composition. (50x40 cms., @ 1,500 euro; 84x61 cms., @ 2,900 euro.)...Nelleke Beltjens does drawings in a different way. Her work is a good balance and contrast to Roozen's work. Beltjen works with colored ink and "cut-outs." The latter is not really a cut-out but a razor slice into the paper. The imagery is a simple accumulation of short and static strokes. A nice touch is that a few works consist of four separate pieces of paper, arranged horizontially--- which give them a panoramic look. (56x76 cms., ink on paper @ 1,500 euro; 88.5x140 cms., color ink on paper @ 4,000 euro; 65x101 cms---4 times, ink, cut-out on paper @ 12,000 euro.)  13th January. www.galerierogerkatwijk.nl  
***  
Atelier Van Lieshout is now showing at GRIMM (Frans Halsstraat 29). The first impression is that he had been inspired by the English sculptor Henry Moore and the American Rube Goldberg (40s to 50s); the latter constructed contraptionsas art. The sculpture work is a fractionated cow. We know it is a cow---more properly, a bull---because of it head. The rest of the body is rather conceptual. In the main gallery there is a contraption which is about 17 meters long and eight meters wide and about 3,5 meters high. It looks like an elaborate machine on tracks. Lots of gears and it meant to realte to a barn. Okay. How much? didn't want to look! Until  ______, https://grimmgallery.com/ ____
*** 
Fabrice Hond began his artistic career by painting on the walls of buildings like a large series of works on the old Heineken Brewery. In recent years, he has began to change our view of the common utility structures that are seen on squares through the city; they hold electrical and phone connections. He creates a mosaic mural that covers the building. He has now done four and the latest is at, Corneluis Schuytstraat/Willemsparkweg. Concurrently, he is featured in an exhibition at a new gallery space, Melchoir Art Gallery (Willemsparkweg 67). His painting style is very colorful and related to such art as comic strip like imagery to being reminiscent of Picasso. And the work relates to strip art because there is always the sense that the composition is telling a story. Overall, his style is unique and you won't confuse it with anyone else. (40x30 cms., ink and w/c @ 395 euro; 85x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 850 euro; 100x120 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,150 euro.)  
***  
Here is a non-gallery art gallery. That is, an artist is using it for a few months and has mounted an exhibition. 3D mentions it because it is unusual. It is located at Lijnbaansgracht 320, next door to AKINCI. Jasper Andries, the artist, asked 22 graffiti artist friends to do a painting about 100x100 cms., Then Andries added his own painting to the canvas. He used as subject matter the favorite tennis shoes of the graffiti artist. His painting style is very good and the contrast is nicely balanced. Some of the artists are: Brush, Selone, Pana, Skee, Kraze, Quik, Milk, et al. Call for an appointment at: 06.435.445.10. Until 8th December. (100x100 cms., @ 1,200 euro.)  https://bit.ly/2Nm38Hg
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Alain-Marie Parmentier (France) is showing his sculpture work and light objects at Maison Descartes. He uses metal, stone, glass and wood. Many pieces---no matter the size---are truly monumental designs. A two meter plus work hangs from the ceiling. It is simple and conceptual in its form. There are objects that are made from alternating wood and glass in a totem poll style to form a monolithic work. Three surprises are iron metal lamps which are very unusual designs for lamps. The work ranges in price from 900 euro to 13,000 euro. According to the short catalog, he also does religious art as a speciality which includes furniture; in addition, he makes numbered editions of silver and bronze jewelry. Until ___?____. https://bit.ly/2NKw9J1        
and www.alain-marie.fr 
*** 
An unusual exhibition is at TORCH (Lauriergracht 94). Called "The Social Show: the art of sharing" it is a collaboration effort by Blkommers/Schumm, Riëtte Wanfers and The Family of Founders. Huh? Anyway, there is another show title "YOUASMEMEASYOU." Whatever. The latter is actually a "crowd-funded fashion brand. A collective effort connecting designer, producer and consumer." Hmmm... 

What you will see is a series of poster size portraits. But there are two of each portrait; one as the way we see someone and the other is the mirror image. Oh, yeah, we never make eye contact because there is a white strip across the poster which blocks out the eyes. And it gets more weird...The work is NOT for sale. But "you can become part of this unique label specialized in high quality knitwear and jerseys by signing in for a one time loan [assigned to them] of 500 euro." And there's is more to the deal...Until 22nd December. www.torchgallery.com
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...And another unusual show...Unusual once you realize ALL the work is by the same artist, Conrad Shawcross (UK) at Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 32). This is his first solo exhibition in the Netherlands. The press release says "His enigmatic sculptures and mechanical installations combine meticulous design and engineering while dealing with ideas within physics and metaphysics." Okay, that's starting point. I mean there are five, no, six individual styles and techniques featured here. It ranges from metal sculpture to an installation of very well used and abused footballs to a row boat that is also a video presentation to an unusual series of pen and ink drawings which is done progressively. That is, he starts with what looks like a ball of yarn with a line that extrudes from it and each drawing is a further progression. The sculptured pieces of aluminium has mere abstracts angles than a finely cut diamond...But, if you are a drinker, beware. Kid you not! (151.5x8x10 cms., plywood, steel color rope @ 5,000 euro; 27x83 cms.,---five times----@ 25,000 euro; hand constructed wooden boat, video and mechanical system, wall drawings @ 58,000 euro.)  Until 2nd December. www.gabrielrolt.com
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"Abandoned & Forgotten" is the title for the photographic exhibition of Jan Stel at Eduard Planting Gallery (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2). He gives us a fascinating tour of building interiors that are now derelict. there is a Spanish wall-paper factory and a steel foundry in France. The works are for the most part in color. Many of the photos are as much studies in abstraction as they are representational. (71x130 cms., Ed. 7 @ 3,250 euro.)  Until 22nd December. www.eduardplanting.com 
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Pieter Borst is showing at LLW Galerie (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 5) with colorful and very unusual representational paintings. The style emulates the graphic novel, comic strips and video games. The scenes you see incorporate the banal city scape in the background with fantastic fantasy figures. Some are hairy creatures and you will be amazed by the brushwork details. Some works feature typography such as: "make war for oil; make war toys from oil ^& promote war to your kids" with a funny face at the end. Hmmmm. (100.100 cms., up to 120x150 cms., @ 1,100 to 5,000 euro; acrylic on canvas.) Until 22nd December. https://bit.ly/2LSAL2G 
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"KERSgallery" (new address: Lindengracht 148) hangs two artists. Jan ven der Ploeg is a geometric/abstract artist that uses walls as his "canvas." Some are for interior walls and some are for outside. Often, they are spectacular especially when you consider their simplicity. He paints simple linear colored lines. At this show, he has gone hog-wild and has painted TWO walls. One is a bright red and white; the other in a dark purple and light blue; they are "wall paintings #343 and 344. His work is always captivating. Also there are two paints of the same style hanging. (50x40 cms., acrylic @ 3,600 euro.)  

Bob Waardenburg shares the space with geometric/abstract drawings that hark back to the Op Art School of the 60s, specifically Vaserley. But, and it is a Big But, these are NOT prints nor are they derivative. The sheen from the lead pencil shimmers in the light and give each work depth. He also displays color pencil drawings that are complicated with inter connecting circles. (70x50 cms., pencil drawing @ 1,050; 100x70 cms., colored pencil drawing @ 1,400 euro.) ...Also, two light objects by Annbet Philips are both imaginative and fun. Each is made from stuffed material and shaped like a big one meter plus worm of about 10 cms., thick. At each end there is a LED light bulb. (599 euro.)  Until 16th December. www.kersgallery.com 
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Annabel Emson (UK)  is an abstract/expressionist who covers the style across the board. She is showing at the temporary space Pop Up (Gabrïel Metsustraast 2-6, across from USofA consulate) and sponsored by the M. Cramer Projects. She loads some works with lots of colors and abstract strokes while others are more simple and/or subdued in colors. The brush strokes are broad and assertive, there is no hesitation. (18x13 cms., oil on linen @ 755 euro; 51x40 cms., oil on linen @ 2,218 euro; 180x150 cms., oil on linen @ 8,040 euro.)  Until 30th December. www.mariancramer.com 

...And what you missed was an exhibition for Jessie Brennan (UK) who hung large and panoramic pencil drawings one which measured 300 cms., long by 40 cms., in width. The subject matter isn't important; there is a little bit of everything represented in the imagery. What gets your attention is the detail and the fact that much has been super-downsized. You'll wonder how the artist did it---and, no, she does not use a magnifying glass. Another piece which was in another room was 30 cms., wide and 500 cms., long. Study it closely and you will see much irony and a few artist's jokes. 3D loved the pile of old automobile tires. (11,000 euro with frame; reproductions, Ed. 20 @ 300 euro.)  Closed 11th November. 
***
RON MANDOS (Prinsengracht 282) is hanging Cindy Wright (Belgium) and, at first, the work looks like it is nearly hyper realistic, but that's just from a distance. Get you nose up close to the canvases and you will see it is realism with an impressionistic tilt. The subject matter ranges from the portrait of a woman to a bowl of fish to a group of seven skulls. The work is meticulous in technique but vague in style. (80x120 cms., oil on linen @ 7,200 euro; 150x190 cms., oil on linen @ 12,300 euro. 

Also showing is Dana Levy (Israel) who presents video work with five examples. the videos are a short stories but told without dialog. One shows a tree rising from a small lake. Another takes is to a lapidary's shop. We see mounted butterflies and live ones here and there. Simple, but surprisingly captivating and with music. (color video, 03.21 min., Ed 5 @ 7,700 euro; color video, 05.24 min., Ed 5 @ 9,240 euro.)  Until 24th Nov. www.ronmandos.nl 
*** 
MENEER MALASCH-Serieuze Zaken Studioos (Postjesweg 2)  has a group show of three artist. Robert Wilson is an international known artist. His drawings tend to be a play on "school art" for want of a better term. An it is sometimes as rudimentary as a conjugation of verbs like on the black board. There is more work and it tends towards the conceptual (2,500 to 10,000 euro.)...Ron Amir hangs both drawings and paintings. Two very large drawings are masterful. They are both representational and surreal, as well as, visually exciting. The paintings are small but by no means less captivating. (24x35 cms., charcoal drawing @ 600 euro; 40x50 cms., oil @ 1,200 euro0; 150x300 cms., charcoal drawing @ 7,000 euro.)...Pieter de Kokis back with his portraits. There is both Obama and his wife Michelle. the later is greeting the Queen of England but at a distance. To understand that you gotta see it! (111x57 cms., w/c @ 2,000 euro; 200x76 cms., w/c @ 4,000 euro.) Until ___?____   https://bit.ly/2mrkyDb 
*** 
Isi Kunath (German/NL) is showing at "C&H art space" (2e Kostverlorenkade 50) with unexpected work. 3D had expected to see photography work since this is what I associate Kunath with. Surprise! And, indeed, a nice one. The hanging pieces have several collage elements:china ink, recording tape, steel, fabric, string and, of course, photography, even nail polish. Nail polish? Whatever! And she mounts all this material together with thread, staples and tacks. 

A few works are self-portraits by they are all symbolic and represents pages from her autobiography like the one of her holding a scythe. She explains that she was raised in a poor environment and with her grandmother would go to potato farms to pick up what had been left behind. The invite reproduction shows several human skeletons with Kunath in an embrace with one. This is meant to express her personal loneliness. 

There are also eight objects, four are wall hangings and four are arranged on raise tables. She has selected several objects she has collected over the years and the "starting point for these 'diary' tables is a book, and from the title she creates a meticulous relation between the objects." Each work comes with an "achieve certification" which not only defines and documents to piece, but is a work of art in its self and can be framed (see three examples at gallery's entrance). Thus, she makes each piece more than just a work of art but an archival documentation of herself, Isi Kunath. Hey, 3D rates this show a WOW!!! (35x45 xms., 3D mixed media @ 700 euro; 63.5x54 cms., mix media on photo @ 1,200 euro; 154x113.5 mixed media on photo @ 3,200 euro.)  Until 1st December. www.ch-artspace.com 
*** 
At "ra gallery" (Nes 120)  Andi Gut exhibits new jewelry that is pleasingly kitschy. It is a combination of things: colors, material and forms. And the forms are unique with an almost whimsical style; in fact, you sometimes feel motion with a natural rhythm in the work. Nice! (rings and necklaces from nylon, titanium 924 to 1,320 euro; nylon silver @ 3,250 euro.) ..Also the work of Peter Baauhuis  who makes small "pots" that look like soft-boiled eggs with their tops hacked off. Generally, this could almost be described as trite except for the fact that he mixes metal into an alloy-like copper, silver, gold, et al and all in one piece. This simple feature transfers the banal forms into unique and captivating objects. He also is displaying rings and necklaces. (Pots @ 700 euro; rings @ 700, 850 and 900 euro; brooches @ 990 to 3,700 euro.) 12th December www.galerie-ra.nl 
*** 
...And there is more new jewelry at Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12) which I will sum up as weird and more weird...And that's good! In fact, very good!! If you do not yet understand what "new jewelry" is, this is a very good place to begin your study at. You'll have a few laughs, too. At the gallery's front is Felieke van der Leest with "Once Upon A Time in My West, Part 2." Much of the work is just fun. Fantasy pieces that defy description like the four legged "bird." It looks more like a big pigeon foot---and is made of bright yellow beads and has a beak of silver. then there is the ass of a horse titled "The End." (necklace, Ed 3, @ 950 euro; Brooch, Ed 2 @ 1,600 euro.)...At the back of the gallery is work by Mi-Ah Rödiger and the title is "Over the Rainbow." Perhaps it is fitting that one object looks like something from an "Alice in Wonderland" tea party. It consist of several gold cups and mugs, creamer and sugar bowls all glued together. Hmmmm. Weird! Not sure how you wear it or if you should even try. Thre are several necklaces but each is so outlandish in design---not to mention--made with unusual materials. Hey, you gotta see it to appreciate. (2,000 to 12,000 euro.) Until 5th January. https://bit.ly/2LtDmQm 
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Esther Tielemans presents "Celebrating the importance of begin playful" at AKINCI (Lijnbaansgracht 318) and proves that the Pop School is alive and well as exampled by several if her works. A few years back 3D coin the term Pop-Con (contemporary Pop School) to describe how some current artist have uses it as their primary inspiration. In this case you see Frank Stella-like work to Elsworth Kelly. There are two standing objects that are primarily black. The larger one (181x303x80 cms.,) is high gloss monochromatic black on one side and a subtle collection of colorful hues on the other side. Another is also monochromatic black, in high gloss, and matte black on the other side.

A large wall piece represents the show's title,  The importance of being playful, is a tour d'force of monochromatic colors and basic forms. (174x236 cms.) One wall is a study in conceptual redundancy. Teielman's has produced imagery that relates to Stella colors and Jasper Johns style of imagery. It consist of 120 30x25 cms., drawings in acrylic and on pietography. the title is, simply, Wallpaper. (120 @ 12,000 euro). However, you can buy them in units of six @ 900 euro...And there is more...Much more. 3D gives it a WOW!!! (31x38 cms., acrylic, epoxy on panel @ 1,500 euro; 80x60 cms., acrylic on plywood @ 3,500 euro; 184x303x80 cms., acrylic, epoxy on plywood @ 18,000 euro.)  Until 25th Nov. www.akinci.nl 
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Kristiina Koslentola (Finland) presents a little of everything at LUMEN TRAVO (Lijnbaangracht 314)  There is an installation made from pillows---all silver/gray---in various forms. The photography ranges from cityscapes to those featuring old grave yards with ceremonial dirt mounds. three pieces of typography---all in Chinese---is nice. Two Chinese-like scrolls are actually sheets of tin. On each is a series of phrases reflecting several societal subjects. (70x100 cms., inkjet print @ 1,800 euro.)  Until 24th Nov. www.lumentravo.nl  
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At Jaski Art Gallery (N. Spiegelstraat 29)  is the most recent work of Rob Scholte. I have followed his work for nearly 30 years. I have enjoyed his emulation of the Pop School which he does from several different perspectives over the years. None disappointed me and several excited me. This show reflects that point. The work is pure realism but his outstanding control over light make each piece standout. You will see the Pop School but also De Chirico in the painting titled Little Red Ridinghood. And he still have a sense of humor as exhibited in the work Chateau Migraine, Vintage 1984.Well, from my experience I have never had a hangover from drinking an Appellation Saint-Julien Controle. However, from French rot-gut, sure. But, perhaps, that has to do to the fact that with a prestigious Bordeaux vintage I have a tendency to sip and not guzzle. It has as much to do with my appreciation as it does with its price. (150x150 cms.m, acrylic on canvas @ 15,000 euro.)  Until 4th November. http://www.jaski.nl/  
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Three artists are featured at Willem Kerseboom Gallery (Hazenstraat 11). Petra Hart does 'digital design on dibond with liquid gloss." The result is pleasingly colorful. The imagery is cartoonish and whimsical featuring young girls of about 12 or13 years of age. The subject matter is diverse ranging from lots of flowers to a scene that looks like iot came from a Disneyland pavilion. (80x120 cms., Ed. 8 @ 2,850 euro; 00x200 cms., Ed 8 @ 3,250 euro.)...Noriko Ito also features young girls of 8 to 11 years old. But while they are representation, there are several conceptual additions ranging from a girl with three bunny rabbits to the provocative with a spew of blood flowing from the mouth of another. (16x22.5 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,000 euro; 45.5x53 cms., oil on canvas @ 2,400 euro; 72x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 3,500 euro.)...The show stopper in this exhibition is a large oil by Han Yajuan. It has a traditional embroidered background with a group of, again, young girls superimposed. Colorful. (150x300 cms.,; oil on canvas @ 35,000 euro:)  Until ___?___. www.kerseboom.com .
***   
..And just across the narrow street is "van krimpen" (Hazenstraat 20)  with photography by Gunther Förg who is an internationally known German artist. In this exhibition we see photographs where the emphasis in on contrast and not always under favorable lighting conditions,. Sometimes you are reminded of a police mug shot and at other times like a photo taken in one of those train-station instant portrait photo machines. (69x52 cms. 1983m, two photos framed together @ 1,350 euro; 75x111 cms, b/w photo---1982---@ 5,500 euro; 147x216 cms., color photo--1984---@ 16,000 euro. All are unique except for one. Until 25th Nov. https://bit.ly/2PNirqP 
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...And there is a new gallery in Amsterdam: CNCPT 13 (Prinsengracht 266). Kid you not! I commented to the gallery owner, Marcel, that he must be a masochist to open an art gallery at this time of economic instability. But he is trying to do it two ways. He is offering contemporary art but also a few antiques and curiosity items like a 17th century Dutch cabinet; coral branches and even a plaster bust of Napoleon. Hey, whatever works! 

Currently, you can see the work of Eric Adam (Belgium) who does poster' style acrylic paintings and some with  gold leaf. The style is Pop-Con with all the colors associated with the Pop School. The theme is "anti-consumerism." The imagery is comic strip-like and there is something anonymous about those pictured. A series of 10 portraits have a pleasing David Hockney style. (140x70 cms., @ 3,000 euro; 200x140 cms., @ 6,000 euro.) He is also represented in the Stedelijk collection...Albert Geertjes makes sculpture objects with tongue-in-cheek. At the entrance to that gallery there was a wash bucket filled with plastic ice cubes---which were light from the bottom---and a working water faucet spewing out H2O. Inside, a wheel barrel was also filled with the fake ice and also lighted and there was a shovel sticking from the center of the ice pile. It does get your attention. (Wheelbarrow @ 4,500 euro.)  Until __?__. https://4sq.com/2wSkmCz 
***   
At Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140) there is a group exhibition, curated by Louise Schouwenberg, that shows work by recently graduated designers from the Design Academy in Eidhoven. Label it weird. At least most of it. A wall of beaded mask standout in an array of bright color combinations and strange compositions standout by Bertjan Pot (1,200 to 1,450 euro). A see-through cabinet made from small round metal washers each independently welded together with a matching chair is very nice too. And the other work? Weird, weird and more weird!!! Hey, I like it!

In PLAYSTATION, at the gallery's entrance, is work by Edward Clydesdale Thomson. He has made large linear metal objects. But there is an interesting twist. The sculpture "derives" these forms from the 19th century topiary gardens, especially those designed by Scottish architect Robert Lorimen (1864-1929.)  He adds nuances like yellow and green pillows on which the metal object rest, as well as, "rugs" with a print from "The Book of Topiary." Until 24th November. Short show. https://bit.ly/2LZAAPK  
***   
Carola Ernst (German) is showing paintings and drawings at TEN HAAF PROJECTS (Laurierstraat 248). Her style is abstract/expressionism.However, according to the press release the imagery is really "fractionated representation." Okay. What it is is colorful and busy...very busy. The metal objects range from the humorous like the pitchfork with a missing prong supported by two triangular metal legs. 

This is interesting. There is an installation in an edition of 5. The original remains in the collection of the artist and will be updated annually. It measures 172x185 cms., and is mixed media with several personal photos. The pricing is: Edition 1/5 @ 27,000; Ed. 2/5 @ 63,000 euro; Ed 3/5 @ 97,000 euro, and so on. (Other work: 32x23cms., w/c @ 900 euro; 44x63 cms., light object made of wood, metal, acrylic paint and a light bulb @ 2,600 euro; 145x112 cms., Indian ink, print color is charcoal @ 4,200 euro.) Until 22nd December. https://bit.ly/2ux13gg
***   
At SMBA (Rozenstraat 59) you are greeted on entering the gallery space by a 7+ meter embroidery work. The subject matter consists of a group of Africans dressed in the colorful finery and with drums. And this is nice, the figuration is nearly abstract. Smaller embroidery work is also hanging and there are two videos. Until 5th January. www.smba.nl 
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Marc Ruygrok is at Steendrukkerij Amsterdam (Lauriergracht 80)  with several studies done in color pencil for what eventually will be large works. So some of these studies you will see in their completion and done with oil pastel which gives them both depth and luminosity. The imagery is sometimes representational and surreal without distortion. There are several large oil pastel that picture a red sky at sunset. It brings to mind a few paintings of Edward Hopper especially one of an 19th century American "chateau" along a railroad track with the incredible early evening sky behind it. Nice! U(Digital print, Ed 20 @ 450 euro; color pencil drawings @ 1,250 euro; large oil pastels @ 8,000 euro.) Until 22nd December. www.steendrukkerij.com
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FONTANA FORTUNA (Hobbemastraat 14)  shows the photography of Ophélie Asch (French) and all were snapped the day that the rains came down in Paris...But, hey, it makes the rainy day look good! She captures not only raindrops but imagery that is reflected in the puddles that form on the street and sidewalks. There's is color but, like on a rainy day, it is demure, not quite there. The b/w work captures the light on the crest of waves and the fall leaves floating across a wet vista. A couple could be impressionistic paintings. In fact, two emulate Van Gogh's Japanese work featuring a bridge during a hard rain. Good work! 35x40 cms., @ 3,975 euro; 100x75 cms., @ 5,900 euro; 70x100 cms., @ 8,750 euro; all in an Ed 0f 10.)  Until 15th December. https://bit.ly/2MUX9da 
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SAUERKIDS from faraway Rotterdam are showing at KOCHXBOS (1e Anjeliersdwarsstrat 36). There are tow of them and they describe their work as "A study of childhood innocence." And like children that are willing to explore all styles and techniques---and make up a few---they use painting, drawings, collage, and approach the imagery from a conceptual angle. Indeed, you do see a comic strip-like imagery. But there is also the abstract, the surreal, the tongue-in-cheek figurative. Lots of elements. Lots of fun! (60x40 cms., acrylic @ 470 euro; 60x40 cms., acrylic, silkscreen and spray paint on wood @ 540 euro; 100x70 cms., acrylic on wood @ 1,190 euro.)  Until 30th October. www.kochxbos.com  
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Here is another exhibition that is already closed. Tessar Sebastian Lo was back at Jaski Art Gallery (N. Spiegelstraat 29) after only one year. He is a Canadian/Indonesian artist and I said of the last show that he emulates the Cobra school and still does. But, no matter, because while his work harks back to their imagery adn style his efforts are still uniquely his own. In this exhibition there were several small works (A4 size or less) and four large ones. (21x14 cms., mixed media drawing @ 1,100 euro; 109x79 cms.,, mixed media on paper @ 2,250 euro.)  13 RED DOTS at opening! Closed on the 14th October. www.jaski.nl 
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ART STABLE ( Fokke Simonszstraat 73) is showing paintings by Harm van Wieren whose style is abstract/geometric with nuances of expressionism. A few pieces have a Mark Rothko feel. In fact, the artist said that after he had done of few of these some pointed out the Rothko affect. Van Wierne---who didn't started to paint until 50 and is an autodidact painter---was unaware of this work but went to the books to learn more. But don't be mislead because the work is not derivative of the master. What he has done is to take those subtle color references of Rothko's and redefine them. As to the other work there is a touch of the Russian Constructionist. By profession he is an architect. 

Henk van Putten is also exhibiting with his constructionist pieces and objects. There are streamlined, but never boring. Some even have the feel of one of Escher's lithos that play with perspective. That could be summed up as there being a complexity to thee otherwise simple forms. He uses such materials as wood, aluminium, metal, granite and steel. The wood pieces bring out not only the natural and organic feel of the wood but also makes good use of it grain. (9x17x12 cms., @ 600 euro; 23x31x20 @ 4,000 euro.)  Until 30th January. www.artstable.eu 
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Terry Thompson (USA/NL)  is back once again at Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 843)  with a style that is definitely his own. And he continues to evolve it. In fact, his style is so personal that 3D can't compare it to any other nor any other artist. It does from abstract to figurative to mixed-media to organic and all in the same composition. Organic? Well, yes, but that's hard to explain...you gotta see the work! (30x30 cms., mixed-media on canvas @ 500 euro; 55x66 cms., mixed-media on paper @ 875 euro; 100x80 cms., mixed-media on canvas @ 1,675 euro.)  

Frans Horback shares the center stage with Thompson. He is a geometric/abstract painter. But he has evolved over the years and this recent work shows elements of expressionism, too. What he has done is to combine his style with that of Jackson Pollack. He does expressionistic drip-paintings and this is combined with geometric forms in white, gray, and /or black. The result is lots of tension. (30x30 cms., acrylic @ 950 euro; 40x40 cms., acrylic @ 1,150 euro; 80x85 cms., acrylic @ 2,500 euro.)  Until 15th December. https://bit.ly/2J3VcnE  
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At the Circle Gallery (Kerkstraat 67) is an exhibition of contemporary photography. 3D specifically describes it that way because the work is an excellent example of not only the current state of photographic technology but how photographers are reinventing classical themes and compositions. Dik Nicolai does everyday still life compositions, almost. The table setting consists of flowers, books, jars, and apple or two and curiosity items. You see the style of the 17th and 18th century in a new  light. (85x53 cms., Ed. 10 @ 1,600 euro; 130x93 cms., Ed. 6 @ 4,200 euro.)  Until __?___. www.circlegallery.nl 
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Krijn de Koning is having his sixth show at the SLEWE (Kekrstraat 105) over a 15 year period. He creates modular rectangles, sometimes using eight individual units and arranges them. There are a couple of examples which are more elaborate both in their various angles and forms. And while the largest ones sit on the floor, smaller ones hang on the wall. There are three conceptual photograph/drawings as well. They are unusual. (40x60 cms., Ed. 50, silkscreen on paper @ 450 euro; 54x37.5220 cms., painted wood @ 7,500 euro; 160x140x210 cms., painted wood, 8 sections @ 32,500 euro.)  Until 15th December. https://www.slewe.nl/ 
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A group show of four artists is at R&R:Reuten Galerie. Richard van der Aa makes simple and monumental conceptual works using MDF-acrylic. All the work is monochromatic white. (400 to 2,600 euro.)...Marie Thurman does amazingly simple paintings which are very colorful. So much so that they sort of vibrate. (22x27 cms., @ 450 euro; 27x47 cms., @ 750 euro.)...Lon Godin paitns with oil on linen and the imagery is busy and somewhat psychedelic. And, in this case, too, the colors vibrate and, perhaps a better word would be, oscillate. (30x40 cms., oil on linen @ 750 euro; 70x50 cms., oil on linen @ 1,600 euro; 230x150 cms., oil on linen @ 9,000 euro.)...Henriette van 't Hoog is back with her small wall hanging objects. They could not be more simple in design but the angular way she bends the metal makes them 3 dimensional. She paints the surface in pleasing pastel colors. She also paints on the backside of a segment that juts from the wall on an angle. the result is---depending on the light---the color is reflected on the white wall. Nice! (1,600 to 2,300 euro.)  Until 15th January,. https://www.reutengalerie.com/ 
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At the gallery 3D calls, "No name gallery" (Prinsengracht 575) is the work of Sarah Verbeek. As you enter the front gallery space you will see that it has been overtaken by a "painting" on two walls, the ceiling and the floor. It is a continuous composition and in red. It is an abstract and does get your attention. Her pastels, w/c and paintings are geometric/abstractions but there is something different about them from what we have come to expect from this style and that is her technique which, in some ways, have a naïve nuance though the compositions certainly are not. (22x30 cms., pencil, chalk on paper @ 200 euro; 40x50 cms., spray paint, chalk on paper @ 400 euro; 60x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,950 euro.) Until __?___ https://bit.ly/2MR6GSq 
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At the "Home Gallery" (a.k.a Schrank8, Wagenstraat 331) is the layout, typography and graphic design work of Auke de Vries. She goes from very plain and simple b/w layouts to very colorful geometric/abstract works. Several examples of her designs are on display from book design to a table clothe. Until 27th January, 2013 and by appointment. 

A few words about the gallery. The galleriest, Hansje van Halem,  is a graphic designer and uses her living room for exhibitions of her contemporary peers. She has a large wooden vitrine to which the exhibiting artist must confine their exhibition. www.schrank8.blogspot.com  
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...Another "home gallery" is "Mini-galerie" (Nieuwe Looiersstraat 68 1e). It is a small flat and the gallery living room is rather claustrophobic with their usual crowd. Hey, there is something cozy about it. Showing there recently (29th Sept to 7th Oct)  was Jeroen Erosie who is an abstract conceptualist. He works within the medium of collage and drawing. the collages are pure abstractions and with unusual compositions. The color balances are not run of the mill. The drawings are abstract and range from the intricate to simply b/w. Two large works of mixed-media are hanging. Each summarizes the best of the drawings. The work is at various prices: 40, 150, 250 and 675 euro. www.minigalerie.nl  
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ART AFFAIRS (Veemkade 354)  has a group show where the artists have worked with light to create objects or to accent them. Katrin Korfmann is an expert of the latter style. She has a unique style and basically her work is interesting enough even with out the back lighting, but it certainly  doesn';t hurt and projects the imagery powerfully. (132x76x11 cms., ultrachrome print on deuratans in a light box, Ed 5 @ 7,000 euro.)...Jan van Munnster works with neon creating abstract and almost organic objects. "Homage to Malewitsch" is exquisite! He shows seven works. (36x18x13 cms., glass, argon gas in wooden box, Ed. 5, @ 1,900 euro; 100x20 cms,.m glass, argon gas and black paint @ 4,600 euro.) Two other artists, Patrick Raynaud and François Morellet are represented with one work each. Until 22nd December. http://artaffairs.net/
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Oppps...Another good show that closed the 17th of November. At "GALERIE bart" (Bloemgracht 2) Marieke Gelissenshowed her photography around a very familiar theme: the human hand. She five the hand its individual form which is constantly in flux depending on what it is doing or holding. Which means an infinite series of unique photographs even of the same hand. Cool! In this show we have one holding a hot dog and another a roll of ribbon. there is a video installation as well and it is in keeping with the hand theme. (20x30 cms., Ed 25 @ 170 euro; 40x30x8 cms., Ed. 4 @ 480 euro.)...Dimitar Genchev paints banal subject matter: an automobile, a broom leaning against the wall with a garbage bag on one side and a backpack on the other. What saves the work from being ordinary or trite is his painting technique and the nuances of contrast and color. (30x40 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,100 euro; 170x210 cms., oil on canvas @ 3,040 euro.)...Alexandras Hunts photos look like they are of flowers, but they are not real flowers. She makes the flowers by folding and coloring paper which adds to that particular nuance that you just can't put your finger on. (40x60 cms., Ed 10, C-print on aluminium @ 650 euro; 112.5x75 cms., Ed 5, C-print on Aluminium @ 1,800 euro.)...Olga Oostermeijer has a naíve quality in her style. Whether it is a tree or her self-portrait there is a crudeness in the imagery that captures the eye. The colors she used and the way she uses them create an abstract quality which brings everything nicely together. (70x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 950 euro; 120x80 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,500 euro.)

...But the newest show just opened. Eefie Bouwkamp does photographic collages that are representational as they are abstract. All works are a gentle contrast of b/w and infinite shades of gray. She uses PhotoShop to assemble the imagery. (150x100 cms., collage, mixed media on Dibond--framed @ 3,800 euro; 150x200 cms., same technique @ 4,900 euro.)...Antoniaq Breme dominated the gallery' space withya hug installation that measures four meters by five meters by 2.5 meters. Perhaps it is best described aas a study of forms because several iconic forms are featured: cylinders, pyramids, rectangular boxes, even three pieces of shaped cardboard each looking like a pawn from a chesse set. There are between 25-30 pieces and there are inter connected by linear struts. (price on request.)...Until 29th December. www.galeriebart.nl 
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At Smith&Vissers Galerie (Noorderdwarsstraat 7) is Wouter Roozen with eight large portrait canvases. His style is a vague type of realism. Their work is neither finely detailed nor sketchy. His emphasis seems to be more on the mood of the moment of his subjects. He uses light in several subtle ways which gives both pathos and a sense of introspection. (100x85 cms., @ 1,975 euro; 190x110 cms., @ 3,050.) THREE RED DOTS at opening. Until 6th December. https://bit.ly/2OVDLt0
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Emilo Kruithof is back at JASKI (N. Spiegelstraat 29) for the seventh time. That always a good sign of talent. It means he has both a following and a loyal one that buys the work. And he achieved this status by establishing a unique style that while, admittedly, it pays homage to the Pop School it has its own integrity. You will see only portraits of women, like in the past, but the style has slightly changed. He has subdued the colors in several, but those bright scarlet red lipsticked mouths are still in evidence. (80x100 cms., @ 5,000 euro; 140x200 cms., @ 12,000 euro.) Closed the 25th November. www.jaski.nl 
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Hey, this is an excellent group show for anyone interested in portrait work. So, if you are are enamored with this style DON'T miss the show at Galerie BMB (Kerkstraat 127). There are 12 artists showing from contemporary portrait style work to the  avant garde. Geeske Harting does children's portraits that are representational but certainly not in a traditional style. José den Hartog hangs a series of 11 small sketches and each in a slightly different style. Dorien Plaatwork is the most traditional in style of all the artist represented. And Edith Meijsering shows the light side of life with portraits of clowns. The price range is from 180 euro for drawings to 60x50cms., oils @ 1,500 euro to 100x70 cms., oils @ 2,650 euro to 150x150 cms., mixed media @ 12,000 euro.)  Until 6th January. www.galeriebmb.nl  

The previous show was for Chrisofer Kochs (Germany) and Willi Siber (Germany). The latter works with wood, steel, and epoxy to create sculptured pieces for both the wall and to stand in the floor. He shapes sections of wood---that looks like pipe fittings---into irregular shapes that are both abstract and with an expressionistic tilt. He also presents a series in which he had pounded nails into wood then dipped it all into epoxy and the visual imagery is sometimes intriguing (49x33x7 cms., table object, wood and epoxy @ 2,200 euro; 165x45x42 cms., steel and lacquer @ 12,000 euro.)...Chrisofer Kochs carves in wood. Some of the work is like a relief and hangs on the wall. Sometimes a work looks like a stone wall and other times he adds a figurative drawings. His figurative standing sculpture pieces emulates a style from the 50s but is contemporary. the work is often raw looking----almost looking unfinished, but it does complement the imagery. He also has a series of drawings. (29x20.5 cms., drawing, oil, chalk, graphite on paper @ 700 euro; 90x65 cms., wood, oil and laquer @ 3,000 euro; 215 cms., high, steel, wood and oil @ 9,800 euro.)  Closed 3rd November. 
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Manu Baeyens (Belgium) is showing mixed media and objects at VERVERS  (Hazenstraat 54). He reinvents the COBRA school and does it very well. The naïve aspects are there, lots of color and with collage elements. There are other stylistic influences from Munch to Réne Daniels. Can't imagine how these artists can relate to the likes of Constant, Appel or Lucebert? And he extends has humor and shows it by  making whimsical objects. They have a figurative look but it's all an illusion. Playful!Check it out! (60x40 cms., mixed media on paper @ 1,900 euro; 110x90 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 6,400 euro; Objects @ 3,200 to 5,800 euro.)  Until 15th December. www.verversgallery.nl 
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AdK (Prinsengracht 534)  hangs the work of Jaring Lokhorst who is a contemporary impressionist and he swings two ways: heavy on color and subtle on color. A true dicotomy. But it works! And the work transends the 19th century school by its abstract elements. In several works we see the "focused" subject matter through a chain linked fence. Needless to say, there is much tention as a result. Oh, the subject matter...landscape, common city scenes, etc. But, hey, that's almost irrelevant. FOUR RED DOTS, TWO GREEN DOTS. (31x43 cms., on aluminium @ 950 euro; 56x75 cms., oil on aluminium @ 1,600 euro; 105x140 cms., oil on aluminium @ 3,000 euro.) Until 8th December. www.adkactuelekunst.nl  
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Jana van Meerveld is hanging at Appels Gallery (Brouwersgracht 151) and his work is difficult to assign to a category. He's not representational. But, he is! He's not an abstract/expressionist. But, he is! And there is even an element of Francis Bacon in a couple of the works. There is something panoramic ab ut his compositions. A trip-tych with each section measuring 250x120 cms., is a perfect example of how the he brings together all these stylistic elements into one piece. The imagery of this particular piece consist of the figurative---a young boy and his mother is nicely realized---then with the added nuances of geometric abstract rectangles against a black background. (50x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,400 euro; 110x180 cms., oil on canvas @ 3,700 euro; there is a very special price on the trip-tych. YOu can buy one section for 4,200 euro or all three at 8,000 euro.) Until 8th December. www.appelsgallery.nl 
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RudolfV's lease is up at the end of the year. So after 15 years, he has decided to play more golf. The show reviewed here conveys an idea why the gallery will be missed.  Four artists are showing. Lieve Prins is an artist that 3D has been following for 25 years of more. She first got my attention with her work that was designed, manipulated and fabricated with the Canon Color Copy machines. She work in Japan at the company's headquarters using the most advance machines. She has created her own and unique technique and style; and over the years has evolved that style. Certain aspect and themes return from time to time like fish and body parts. (90x140 cms., @ 5,750 euro to 13,900 euro.)...Birgitt Busz paints with oil and acrylic on canvas. The subject matter is flowers and animals, but WAIT! Her style has a surreal nuance and it is a subtle one, but it does complement the colors. (950 to 4,800 euro.)...Zsuzsanna Györgyövics does trees, in wire. These are meticulously crafted and very intricate. Good work!...Shakiro Werlemandoes something called "gum prints." Gum prints is a mixed media of techniques which includes photography, painting, using four negatives of the same subject, plus Arabic gum. the imagery has a strong 19th century classical look with reclining nudes. Two also have a strong Japanese influence. (700 to 3,500 euro.)  Until 24th November. https://bit.ly/2mdb7ay  
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Jassu Kaneko (NL/Japan) is again showing at Galerie De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) and 3D has seen nearly every show. He works in ceramic and porcelain and there has been a steady evolution to his style and technique. The last two exhibitions where he made use of broken pieces of porcelain most effectively. There has been a change and this new approach is a big leap from his previous work. Each piece has a circular and painted ceramic center with either one of two circles of segmented porcelain. Good contrast and nicely framed. The framing is special in that there is glass at both the front and the back. YOu see the wall through the work. (3,300 euro.) Until 17th November. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl 
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Another show that you missed was at SLEWE (Kerkstraat 105) for Martin Gerwers who does sculpture/objects in MDF (composite wood). They are monumental geometric abstraction paintings and several shaped like an elongated pyramid. Some are free standing and the shapes and forms are unusual. Others are hanging form the wall. Simple, conceptual and minimal in color. This is the artist's fourth exhibit at the gallery. (50x40 cms., acrylic/oil on MDF @ 3,600 euro; 117x88x44 cms., same material @ 8,250 euro; 270x100x60 cms., same material @ 17,000 euro.) Closed on the 10th Nov. www.slewe.nl
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At Willem Kerseboom Gallery (Hazenstraat 11) is showing A.C. Andre Tanama (Indonesian))  who is a professor of art that specializes in woodblock instruction at the Indonesian Institute of Arts---Yogyakarta. His work would be excellent for illustrating a children's book and, in fact, his wife has written one. You will see three works on canvas and a piece that is painted on fiberglass of a young girl riding a basset hound. the hanging work is all mixed media. (40x50 cms., acrylic, pencil on canvas@ 2,500 euro; 80x45x90, object, painted fiberglass @ 8,000.) www.kerseboom.com 
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Two artists are showing at Galerie Wies Willemsen (Ruysdaelkade 25). Gino Savino (Canada/Brazil) is both a painter and sculptor. The latter is very delicate work. He takes hard chalk sticks and at one end carves imagery. There are magnifying glasses available so that you can see how meticulously carved they are. His other work is realistic paintings but also geometric abstractions. He paints on paper that has been crushed together or it could be fabric. The result is very good depth mixed with the contrast. ("lead pencil" objects @ 750 euro; 90x120 cms., oil @ 2,000 euro.) ...the other artist is Tom Seerden who works with bronze and worm eaten wood or marble. The wood or marble section is the pedestal on which the bronze statues rest. The subject matter is architectural such as castles constructed on on the apex of a high hill or rock. the result is monumental. (3,300 euro to 4,750 euro.)  Until 21 December. www.wieswillemsen.nl 
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LIFE--The Gallery Amsterdam (Lauriergracht 96)  is showing Judith Koning. She has strung up a work that is an installation and it hangs in the outside garden of the gallery. It is a white object looking much like a bridal gown. It is secured with perhaps 100 wires at both the top and bottom. the result is a static piece that reflects light in an infinite variety of ways. (5,000 euro.)  Until 1st December. www.lifeamsterdam.nl 
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Jaap de Vries was at Appels Gallery (Brouwersgracvht 151) with unusual work...Some might find it repulsive and others will be captivated by it! It's not for everyone. A nude is a good example of the lurid if not provocative,. A "bride" with bared genitals but whose torso is colored with lots of expressionistic brushstrokes and color and a skull for a face. Directly opposite is another nude but it has very subtle imagery. In a way, it is up to you to create the form. Smaller work feature fish; others are either nudes or portraits with more subdued colors. (30x40 cms., acrylic on aluminium @975; 60x80 cms., wash, on paper and aluminium @ 2,700 euro; 140x190 cms., acrylic on aluminium @ 5,200 euro.)  Until 13th October. www.appelsgallery.nl 
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Damn...You have missed both these shows...Rohan Wealleans (New Zealand) started the new season at PS-ProjectSpace (Maduastraat 72) with a scream. Scream? Read on. The work is completely different from what we have come to expect from PS. In fact, the antithesis of their basic theme of conceptual minimalism. the photography could almost be described as pornographic but for the fact that Weallaeans paints his models bodies with psychedelic colors and design. He goes on to "decorate" the vagina like a Christmas tree. According to the press release, "The titles of his work combine a love of science fiction and B-movies with an unusual sense of humor: Pussy Puva, Green Jimson Weedand Blue Morning Glories. Closed 14th October. 

...And here is another miss...Marius Lut hung eight almost identical abstract paintings which make the show a study in conceptual redundancy and conceptual minimalism. his concern is "form and color and texture and on the border between abstraction and meaning." All works are in monochormatic gray. He says about his work, "When you see the pictures as words, the whole is a sentence. But every word retains its own meaning. (60x50 cms., oil and laquer @ 2,090 euro). Closed 25th November. www.psprojectspace.nl  
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3D misplaced notes for an exhibition held last September. The work was unusual so it is still worth mentioning. Ralf Westerhof showed at Gallery Vriend van Bavink (Gelderskade 58) his wire sculptures. It is said that drawing is an illusion to reality. And as to 3D (dimensional) the closest anyone came to doing it was probably Escher. Westerhof has put aside both pen and pencil to create portraits from thin wire. Actually they look like a sculpt head and it is both eerie and haunting how "real" they seem to be...The "eyes" get to you...In fact, they stare right back at you. 

Ther are three examples that have a torso with arms, almost. There is still another added feature and that is the abstraction. Each piece is a representational abstract. You can enjoy and appreciate the pieces either way. (small works @ 235 to 295 euro; 71x55x24 cms., iron wire 0,5 mm, white wooden panel @ 1,590 euro; 197x197x250 cms., iron, wire o,5 mm, projector @ price on consultation.) Closed 6th October. 
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The Chinese artist Zhuang Hong Yi (China)   has become rather famous in Amsterdam and is featured by two different galleries. Presently, there is a show at Leslie Smith Gallery (Minervaplein 10).  the titles if "world of Flowers" and that is exactly what you get, lots of flowers but done in the unique style of the artist. He combines the east and west. His basic technique is to use rice paper saturated with acrylic paint and to create bouquets of flowers. The results are very colorful and, well, attractive works. This exhibition has several of his pieces and is an excellent overview. (62x62 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 5,800 euro; 100x100 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 9,500 euro; 250x200 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 43,000 euro.)  Until ___?___. www.lesliesmith.nl  .
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Rob Koudijs Galerie (Elandsgracht 12) had the work of Ralph Bakker who makes rings, brooches, armbands and necklaces. The technique is a type of conceptual redundancy in that the same material is in the same configuration and used over and over to create a form that might be compared to a pine cone. (ring @ 595 euro; brooch @ 2,000 euro.)...David Bielander does something completely different from Bakker. In fact different from any other new jewelry maker. He titles his show "Make it big, make it red, make it simple." And he does just that! He has a series of bracelets that looks like Japanese tropical fish jumping out of the pond. There is a large clove of garlic-shaped from silver. And there are snakes. One is about one meter long. Imaginative work! THREE RED DOTS. (1,300-6,250 euro.)  Closed 27th October. https://bit.ly/2LtDmQm 
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VASSIE (Langestraat 47) is back in town! they left for the UK a few years ago but have returned,. they specialize in vintage photography. The present show is for Terence Donovan (1936-1996). He was one of a trio of 60s photographers that was dubbed "The Black Trinity." They were considered to be the innovators of "documentary fashion photography." All the work is in b/w and includes photos of such icons as Twiggy, Julie Christie and Sophie Loren. www.galleryvassie.com  
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An excellent photographic exhibition was at Galerie Fontana Fortuna (Hobbemastraat 14) and was curated by Aloys Ginjaar. It is the second showing for these 28 artists. The first was in Manhattan; it was sponsored by the Dutch consulate. You would have seen most current photographic styles from the artistic to the commercial, from the figurative to the conceptual and even a few works in b/w. Rinze van Brug does exceptional photographic portraits; Carli Hermescreated intoxicating works; Sussane Middelberg does "Super Woman" as a wife and grandly pregnant. Fun!...Roger Neve does distinctive and animated b/w; Lieve Prins work is beautiful and almost surreal (see other review at RudolfV); and Speer has a wonderful series of women of a certain age. Until 30th Ocotber. www.fontanafortuna.com
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Maya Kullenovic is back at Morren Galleries (Prinsengracht 572). She has an unusual dark and moody technique that is both enlightened and introspective. In one sense, it would be accurate to describe here work as contemporary Rembrandt; and this refers both to her style, technique and expertize in achieving each to a high degree of craftsmanship. She understands depth, light and nuances. Most of the work are portraits, but there are a few captivating landscapes and architectural pieces. (55,500 to 11,000 euro.) https://www.morrengalleries.nl/  
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...There you have it...And about time! Again, due to the fact that 3D has both limited PC and Internet access this list has become a prolonged odyssey...But let's hope that it still provides a service to both the galleries and artists it reviews. This is a great city to see art and to NOT take advantage of that is not only an aesthetic tragedy but also an intellectual one...Support an artist and you support a gallery. And in both incidents you may also be support their families and employees families...You do a lot of good when you buy ART...DO IT TODAY!!!!!

http://gould3dlist.blogspot.nl/