Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #85

N.B. This is the final updating for the last 3D list of the 2014-2015 Amsterdam Art season. It has been an interesing trip in seeing things through the eyes of an artist. But there is still more to come. The best show of the year will be held at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy beginning with the opening party on the 1st of July, at 16:00 and continues until the 5th. It is the DON'T MISS SHOW of the year. Presenting those who hope to start the next art revolution. www.rietveldacademie.nl 
***

In the introduction to the last posted 3D List I attempted to explain the RED DOTS that I record, as seen at openings, that indicate a sale. Well, a couple of people responded with this observation: "Why are the RED DOTS mentioned in the review always PINK DOTS." Hmmmmmm...That's a legitimate comment and deserves an answer. 

At an opening, a gallery will stick to the wall a small RED DOT indicating the work has been sold. There is a finality in using RED as in "Stop! Stop thinking about buying...you are too late." A statement of fact. However, when I write the review, and list the number of RED DOTS at an opening, three or more---one or two RED DOTS are not recorded---it is meant to imply a CELEBRATION. Somehow PINK DOTS convey that message better than RED ones. Now doesn't that make sense?

And speaking of RED DOTS---PINK or not---there has been a dearth of them. In the reviews that follow, two artists had sold, at their opening, EIGHT works. Unfortunately, that is an exception. They say the EU economy is improving. They say, housing and new car sales are UP! 3D is waiting---anticipating---that all that will trickle down to both the artists and the galleries. You can do your part by BUYING something! Really! You are the key!

INDEX:

Art Fair Review:            Amsterdam Art fair

Bits & Pieces:

Museum Reviews:           EYE Film Museum: William Kentridge
                                           
                                          Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam: Resolution 827
          
                                          "foam":  "Nerhol," a Japanese duo

                                          "foam": Swinging Sixties London  (new)

                                          Prince Claus Fund Gallery: The Freedom Theater
                                          
                                          Amsterdam Museum/Hermitage/Rijks Museum: Portrait Gallery of  
                                                                                                                         the Golden Age

                                          De Brakke Grond: Kelly Schacht

What You Have Missed: 

*** 

AMSTERDAM ART FAIR: 

Let the art fair' war begin! 

In 1985, Wim van Krimpen became the first director of the Art Fair Foundation, it was one of the first European art fairs. In 1992, the RAI Centre acquired the rights to the fair---renaming it Kunst RAI---and the new director, Erik Hermida, accepted the RAI request for more Dutch galleries to be represented. Well, there have been many manifestations, of the fair, over the years. It has gone from being a pioneer of European art fairs featuring the avant garde to a "kunstwinkle" showing all galleries requesting a space including furniture design dealers to, again, being a selective fair. 

Art Amsterdam was reborn as an alternative art fair and focused on the avant garde and invited international galleries. But in 1996 Kunst RAI and Art Amsterdam merged. In 2002, Anneke Oele became director and once again made changes and galleries were selected by committee. Under Oele's direction Art Amsterdam encompassed A'dam art spaces, museums, events, workshops, even a baby sitting service, and bus transportation to other venue sites, et al. The 25th anniversary exhibition, 2009, had 120 participants. Oele left at its end and the 27th edition of the fair was reduced in numbers to 90. And it has been downhill ever since. 

The new Kunst RAI, also under the direction of Erik Hermida (who now holds the five year rights to the name), and he moved to the RAI' hall used mostly for the boat and caravan shows. It is a dismal and shabby space; unworthy of hanging contemporary and avant garde art. I have criticized this aspect since its inception in the "new" old hall. 

...And we come full circle...Van Krimpen is back in town with the Amsterdam Art Fair. It is being held from the 27th to 31st of May (same dates for Kunst RAI, Read: WAR!) at the former Citroën' automobile garage now called Kunsthal Citroën, at the Stationplein. I was curious about what the space would look like. Would it be suitable? And the answer is "yes" and "no." You enter the space at the ground floor garage. It still looks like a parking space for cars. However, the space does feature sculpted works though they don't really standout; white walls would help.

You ascend a steep ramp and on the the next level there are galleries set in a rather acceptable space. And there is more on the third level...but the ramp to it is more even more steep. And once again, you are back in a car park garage. Read: dismal! The space is only half occupied. 

But, it is all about art!  And the art is good. Most of the avant garde Amsterdam' galleries are represented. And, as always, you will see outstanding work. However, on the downside, there are only about 40 galleries showing. This show has reverted back to "invitation only" for potential exhibitors. (One very good Amsterdam gallery told me that they had been refused.) Kunst RAI, on the other hand, has about 70 galleries showing, but most I am not acquainted with. 

It would be nice to see the annual Amsterdam' art fair restored to an international level. But, considering the animosity between the various sectors of the participants and organizers, it is doubtful it will be any time soon.

Entrance fee: 10 euro. www.amsterdamartfair.nl 
***

BITS & PIECES:

3D has received from Re-Title.com an invitation to submit photographs to the Dave Bown Projects semi-annual competition.The price money amounts to $10,000. So, who and what is Dave Bown Projects? I Googled and found this blogspot that has many comments on the "Projects" and most appear to caution those who might be considering putting up the $40 entry fee: https://bit.ly/2Dx7zer 
***
And there is another art fair on the horizon. The Amsterdam International Art Fair will be held for two days only at the Beurs van Berlage, 28th and 29th August. The press release said to expect 150 international galleries. For more information on showing contact: info@amsterdamartfair.com. More general info at: www.amsterdamartfair.com  (N.B.The address differs only slightly from the Amsterdam Art Fair. The international one is ".com" and the other is ".nl".
***
Quotable Quotes on Writing: "When asked to summarize a morning's work, Oscar Wilde is suppose to have said that he took out a comma----and then, during the afternoon, put it back." 3D is still perplexed about the comma. I sometimes just throw one in because it looks good. And, more: Hemingway said, " 'Getting the words right' was his reason for rewriting the conclusion of A Farewell to Arms thirty-nine times." There's that! The quotes are from: www.inyt.com "Bookend," (27th March). 
***
More from www.inyt.com: "When fine art gets digital," by Scott Reyburn. He asks, "Is 2015 going to be the year a chunk of the art market---or at least a sizable chunk of it---final goes digital?" 
***
"Giving artworks a second life," by Nina Segal (www.inyt.com, 8th April). She discusses how the Dutch government's support of artists, which began in the 60s, has resulted in enormous warehouse cost. The solution?  Offer it to the public and at attractive prices...make that very attractive prices. Check out www.museumveiling.nl 
*
Another article, by Segal, is a review, and also appearing in the Int New York Times, titled, "Capturing the mood of the music, (20th May). She reviews "Hollands Deep" an Anton Corbijn' exhibition at the Gemeentemuseum in the Hague. The show is devoted to celebrities that Corbijn imitates through make-up and posturing. www.inyt.com 
***
"Who, a friend asked the other day, would want to be 90 years old? Answer, someone who is 89." Quoted from an article by Roger Cohen in the Int New York Times.
***
The Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, USA)  features and exhibition centered on  "A new look at Pop Art's global roots" (www.inyt.com, 10th April.)
*** 
What's life all about? Hmmm. Good question. Partly, its getting from point "A" to point "B"and can be summed up this way: "Yard by yard, life is hard; inch by inch, it's a cinch." Hey, but I am in a hurry! Where's the short cut?
***
...And more from Oscar Wilde, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Amen!!!  (Seen on a bookmark from American Book Center.
***
A company, https://bit.ly/2OioqG6 , has located in the Pijp area trash cans. But, alas, they are not ordinary trash cans. They beg you to stop and look closely. Each barrel has above the opening a sign like: "If it's important to you, you'll find a way, if not, you'll find an excuse." John Assarat. 
***
At the corner of the Albert Cuypstraat and Ruysdaelekade, there is the Sir Albert Hotel. On the side of the building is this: "Like all great travelers I have seen more than I can remember and remembered more than I have seen." Benjamin Disraeli, 19th century English prime minister.
*** 
A new publication "Gc" (Glamcult: independent style paper)  has a series of quotes in Issue 3#111, 2015. "Once something is coined, defined or canonized, it's dead." Eckhaus Latta...."Yep. We live in an age of multi-genres." Muluca Mala...."Stormy colours turn me on." James Kelly. Finally, "It's not the destination but the journey that counts." Thera Clazing. And, hey, that's what life is all about!
***
...And a word from Laser 3.14: "You know from which branch I stem." @ Keizersgracht 228...And at Prins Hendrikkade 29, "Over-Nuance this." And there is more..."It's Safe Here, Unaffected By Time." @ Kerkstraat 23. 
***

MUSEUM REVIEWS:

EYE FIlm Museum:  If We Ever Get to Heaven, William Kentridge (1955, South Africa) 

William Kentridge is an artist working with several techniques. He makes charcoal drawings---which go beyond drawing--animates films and creates installations. And there's more. At the entrance to the exhibition, at the EYE, you will see 21 b/w cut-outs from cardboard: portraits, a pigeon, a typewriter and an old fashion bathtub to mention only a few. Seventeen of the surfaces have been painted black; three have been hung with their backside to us and we see the wood structure that holds it all together. This is essentially an introduction to a truly monumental and animated film. The film, in b/w, is projected on eight floor-to-ceiling screens and is 45 meters long. Each screen is flat against the wall or titled. It "depicts a never-ending procession of people passing by as they drag with them all sorts of belongings and objects." He does the landscape, which is the background to the people's trek, in charcoal. The cut-outs you have seen in the first gallery are used in the film. The story reflects the many facets of South African history. The musical score is no less impressive. African tribal themes with haunting melodies and a section that is reminiscent to a work played several times in Terry Gilliam's  Brazil. The imagery is simple, but captivating. The figures illustrated are an eclectic grouping and even include three dancing skeletons. The sounds are projected, to the audience, through megaphone-like speakers that were used, before microphones, by crooners, to project their voices. In a word, this installation is IMPRESSIVE! 

And there is more. I am Not Me, the Horse Is Not Me (2008) is based on The Nose by the Russian writer, Nikolai Gogal. Kentridge found his artistic' inspiration from the Russian avant garde of the 20s and 30s of the last century; and the opera that Shostakovich wrote based on the same work. And, again, we see this "opera" played out on eight individual screens. It was originally shown at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York. 

Through the exhibition period seven sideline programs are on the schedule. Each features a work or works from Kentridge's oeuvre and with discussion. The discussions are conducted by various people like Raymond van den Boogaard, an analyst of Russian affairs. On the 13th of June, there is the screening of  "Two major LuLu films back to back, accompanied by live music." (N.B. For the Dutch National Opera, he is directing Alban Berg's opera LuLu for the Holland Festival, 2015.)  In collaboration with the Prince Claus Fund the South-African anti-Apartheid activist and judge,Albie Sachs discusses the history of the country.

There is an lavishly illustrated publication. "It documents the creation of the new work More Sweetly Play the Dance in words and pictures with an essay by William Kentridge. Published by the EYE and "nai010" and is for sale at 19.50 euro. In English only.

Until 30th August. 

For more info: www.eyefilm.nl/kentridge
***

SMBA: Resolution 827 

Ten artists, nearly all from Serbia, present videos, audio works and drawings in this collaboration with SMBA(Rozenstraat 95) and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Belgrade. The Newsletter #141 states "The taboos considered in this exhibition include the diverse approaches taken to ever-sensitive politics of public remembrance to the period of ethnic clashes and genocide, the disputed establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the question of Dutchbat's responsibility in the events at Srebrenica." Heavy stuff, to be sure! It goes on to say "The artists involved in this exhibition scrutinize questions of responsibility in each of the societies in question, but their research also revolves around the way in which we can relate to the atrocities through the procession of the visual and audio files collected from the ICTY and other archives." The artists are: Kristina Benjocki, Lana Cmajcajin & Adela Jusic, Anna Dasovic, Doplgenger, Sasa Karalic, Vladimmit Miladinovic, Quenton Miller, Charles van Otterdijk andNikol Radic Lucati. 

Until 31st May. www.smba.nl 
***

"foam": Swinging Sixties London

"Those were the days my friend...We thought they would never end...We'd sing and dance forever and a day". So sang Mary Hopkins in her hit song of 1968. The latest exhibition at "foam" takes us back to that yesteryear; Time Magazinedevoted an entire issue (April, 1966)  to "The Swinging City" and said its "Ancient elegance and new opulence are all tangled up in a dazzling blur of op and pop." You can see it all in this show. Chris Duffy, Philip Townsend, John Cowan, Terence Donovan, and Eric Swayney created innovative and unique ways of shooting fashion photography. They highlighted the new takes with their stunning photos of what we now would describe as "supermodels" with photos of Jane Birkin, Grace Coddington, Celie Hammond, Jill Kennington, Jean Schrimpton and who can forget Twiggy. The models became celebrities. 

They dressed them as "The Mods". The female variety wore "men's trousers, waistcoats, flat-soled shoes. short hair, eyeliner and false lashes to make their eyes look bigger." The Mods subculture was centered on fashion and music. As a result, we see photos of The Moody Blues, the Stones, Beatles, Marianne Faithfull, et al. They are all here; resurrected from 50 years ago and still looking fresh. 

The period was about more than fashion and music however. It was an integral part of a cultural revolution that was stampeding across Europe with a hip hop, across the Atlantic, to America. The birth control pill had much to do with the societal changes taking place. Sex was in! Men and women look at each other differently and we see the differences in these photos. 

The exhibition also features a series of photographs that chronicle the anti-nuclear bomb movement by John "Hoppy" Hopkins. And James Barnor has a historical niche, in fashion photography, because he introduced the British-African model to the pages of fashion magazines.

After seeing this show you will be singing "We thought those days would never end..." But, damn, they did!

Until 2nd September.
***

"foam":  Nerhol, a Japanese Duo

Just when you are sure you have seen everything in photography something new pokes its style at you. So it is with the new exposition at "foam" for two young Japanese artists, Yoshihisa Tanaka, a graphic designer, and Ryuta Iida, a sculptor, who, as one, express their artistic disciplines through photography. They began to work together in 2007 and "together they explore the tension between photography and sculptor." It is exceedingly difficult to describe their work and technique because there are several direction to its ultimate realization. They first select a photographic subject and ask several photographers to do the actual photo. The photographer produces "a series of individual time-lapse portraits at various stages of the process....the duo transforms the two-dimensional portrait into a three-dimensional sculpture." To achieve this effect they take hundreds of prints of slightly different portraits and they are meticulously layered and attached to a book of three to four centimeters thick which is then curved and warped into a sculptural portrait. Got the picture? It is best that you see the exhibition because it goes beyond words. (Until 21st June)

"foam", Keizersgracht 609. www.foam.org 
*** 

The Prince Claus Fund: The Freedom Theater

The Prince Claus Fund Gallery doesn't shirk in taking on controversial issues. Their present exhibition, titled, Freedom, Theater, and the Oppressed, is no exception. The show has been curated by two Palestini artist, Yazan Khalili and Lara Khaldi. 

Until 20 years or so ago, Israel had my unquestioned support. That position began to waned with their insincerity towards the Oslo Peace Accords of 1993. The war in South Lebanon made me critical. And turning the Gaza Strip into a contemporary Warsaw Ghetto has made me a supporter of the rights of the Palestinian people. I find it ironical that the Israelis are subjugating the Palestinians the same way as the Nazi did to them in Poland. 

The Freedom Theater is "a tool for struggle and resistance, and the Palestinian cause as representative of an oppressed people and their struggle for emancipation and right to self determination...This is not an exhibition but rather a situation and a setting, which allows one to act, to read, to inquire rather than gaze at the subject of an exhibition. It is an invitation to engage with questions about the struggle for freedom and emancipation and the many forms it takes." Indeed! 

At the opening, representatives and graduates from The Freedom Theater talked of their experience. A video profiled other young members some of whom said it was their alternative to becoming "terrorist." And there is a script of the play Suicide note from Palestine that has been performed by the group on various occasions along the walls of the space.

Overall, this provocative exhibition is not a visual rendering of conditions in the Gaza Strip but more of an educational experience "Linking The Freedom Theater and the case of Palestine to other theaters and cultural struggles [there] are various books on performance, applied theater, cultural resistance, and social movements for visiting readers to delve into." 

(Footnote: For those interested there is "a platform for Israelis living in the Netherlands who oppose the occupation of the Palestinian territories and call for its end." www.gate48.org ... Another related article is from www.inyt.com (1st June): "Israel's charade of democracy," by El-Ad Hagai director of B'Tselem, the Israel' Information Center For Human Rights in the Occupied Territories." 

Until 21st August. Herengracht 603. FREE entrance. www.princeclausfund.org 
*** 

Hermitage Museum: Portrait Gallery of the Golden Age

This may be one of those once-in-a-lifetime exhibitions. You will see the "brothers and sisters" of Rembrandt's Night Watch which, due to their size, are rarely seen (the largest work, in the exhibition, measures: 6 meters by 3 meters). And why are they so big? Well, each "portrait" painting was commissioned by "prominent citizens who play[ed] and important role as "regents, the civic guard or manage care institutions, in craft guilds, the city government and trade associations." And there were  several members; each group portrait features from 18 to 24 men. Two thirds of the paintings come from the Amsterdam Museum and one-third from the Rijksmuseum. 

The linear notes for each work are illuminating. One piece that stands next to the video "Night Watch" presentation was painted by Nicolas Pichenoy who made "sure that all the men can clearly be seen. They, after all, are clients: they have each paid around sixty guilders." (Note: at the time, 60 guilders was the average yearly wage for a laborer.) The notation that "all the men can clearly be seen" comes from the fact that Rembrandt was attacked for his innovative approach to the Night Watch group portrait. 

Another work has a directive by the man commissioning it, Joan Huydecoperm, and that was that the artist Govert Flinck include the image of the man's house. "Eye to Eye" is interesting because every member of the group is looking at us, "They must have insisted that the artist painted them like this." 

On entering the large gallery space, with 23 large paintings (there are more than 30 in the show), you will see the "Night Watch," but it really isn't the Night Watch but an anamative video which illustrates aspects of the painting. There are ear phones in the middle of the space; and in both English and Dutch you can hear the story behind it.

At a press review, a female journalist asked why there were no women in any of the paintings? Actually, someone said she was a feminist and should have known. Good point! However, the brochure does mention that you see "These 'brothers and sisters' of the Night Watch." 

The exhibition opened on the 29th of November, 2014 and as of 19th May, 2015, there have been 100,000 visitors...And there is still plenty of time since the show will close at the end of 2016. 

(N.B. The entry fee is 15 euro but for 20 euro you get a combined ticket that allows you to see the other exhibition at the Hermitage.)  

More info: www.hollandersvandegoudeneeuw.nl (in four languages) and at: www.portraitgalleryofthegoldenage.com and facebook.com/portraitgalleryofthegoldenage   

Nieuw Keizersgracht 1
***

De Brakke Grond:  Kelly Schacht.

A major segment of the exhibtion for Kelly Schacht is on the floor. A 11x6 meter synthetic "rug", in white, is layout. It is embellished by alpha symbols ranging from printer's brass fonts to cut-out letters. Along two wall are additional examples of typography from simple letters to poster-like exhortations like: lips are traiders/traders [superimposed]" to a pair of tennis shoes that seemingly are stepping into the installation. Until __?__. 

Nes 45. www.brakkegrond.nl 
***

WHAT YOU MISSED...but there is still time...: 

NEW POSTINGS: 12th June 

Floor Max is at Ra Galerie (Nes 120)  with affordable new jewelry. She die-cuts leather into a form that looks like a miniature American donut, say about one centimeter in diameter. Then using two of the die-cuts she inserts in the middle a foam-like material. In the next step she weaves copper wire into patterns that connect maybe seven of these "donuts" into a hexagonal shape. Finally, she takes seven of these sections and connects them all into a large five centimeter hexagonal form. The results is a geometric abstraction that relates to floor layouts, window decorations found in Christian, Jewish and Islamic buildings. Simple but rich looking. (195, 350, 750, & 1,250 euro)  Until 25th  July. www.galerie-ra.nl 
***
Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140)  presents two artists. In the PLAYSTATION you will see Brendan Anton Jaks(USA) with two series and each completely different from the other. Wall hanging sculptures gets your attention because they are so unusual. He uses white interior building bricks with an epoxy resin and weaves plastic or metal strip through the form. On the wall opposite is collage work, but at first look it isn't apparent. Get your nose up to its surface and you see a collage made up of b/w and shades-of-gray paper sheets, overlapping, with a plastic sheet covering it all. Nice! (55x35c22 cms., polyurethane, epoxy, cement bricks on wood panel @ 1,100 euro; 200x100 P.E.T. fiberglass, acrylic, enamel @ 1,500 euro.

In the back space, of the gallery, is the work of Gabriel Lester. The press release mentions a previous installation by him, How to Act (1999) as "a full blown cinematic experience." His current show offers two cinematic experiences. One is an abstract video and the other---actually, two works---are "highly pixilated LED screens [that] almost obscure any imagery from a direct reading." Okay! But what you see are dancing lights and black blobs meandering across the surface. The two screens---hung perpendicular to the other---are in unison but, because of their dimensions, are different though it is not immediately apparent. In addition, he shows large sculptured pieces which resemble cubes atop another to form a monumental rectangle. Simply done. An each is mounted on wheels. It can be moved without difficulty through any space. (240x120 cms., Dynamic light surface, Ed 3 @ 20,000 euro) Until 25th July. www.fonswelters.nl 
*** 
Four of the Galerie Roger Katwijk's (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198) artists are showing in a group show. Herbet Hamakdoes resins on canvas, but it doesn't look like what you would expect. The work is "3D' in that it projects from the wall....Georg Kuetting photographs are essentially illusions. You see what the subject matter is, but at the same time you see the abstraction. Lots of tension!...Martijn Schuppers paints "abstract" canvases. Sometimes they are so subtle because of their subdued colors and fragmented imagery that you can't the place the work in a style category....Stephan Siebers showed in the last show with his small but monumental steel sculptures. (Prices range from 1,700 euro to 14,000 euro). Until 31st July. www.galerierogerkatwijk.nl 
***
J. Henry Fair is showing at Eduard Planting Gallery (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2) with an unusual collection of subject matter which he captures with his camera. Think of this, how many times have you seen a photograph of a chemical refinery that was colorful and looked like a linear abstraction? His speciality is to photograph the banal but capturing it in an original fashion. The photo used on the invitation is an abstract colorful masterpiece but, alas, it is an undoctored, unPhotoShoped snap of a reservoir along the muddy Mississippi River. Awesome...And very scary. In this show you go from representational abstraction to acute reality as told with brilliant colors and a keen eye. (30x45 cms., Alv-DBond with protective glaze, Ed 25 @ 800 euro; 60x76 cms., same tech, Ed 8 @ 2,950 euro; 76x114 cms., Alv-DBond with acrylic surface,Ed 8 @ 4,750 euro). Until 1st August. www.eduardplanting.com
***
At FONTANA GALLERY (Lauriergracht 11) there is a French duo, Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre, showing a wide range of photographs featuring late 19th century industrial building sites and power plants. They capture the Victorian style of complex iron structures in decay but still standing. You get a true sense of both size and the architectural complexities of these buildings. They appear to be artifacts from the height of the Industrial Revolution. (Footnote: The same duo did the series titled Ruins in Detroit, 2005-2009.)  (each photo comes in two sizes: 95x120 cms., and 150x190 cms., Chromogenic prints, Ed 9--small--and Ed. 6--big, @ 4,300 and 8,350 euro) Until 15th September. www.fontanagallery.com 
*** 
Theo MacKaay is at Morren Galleries (Prinsengracht 572). He takes a page from Picasso, but updates the master's Cubism with a contemporary take. There are other elements that bring to mind Kandinsky---horses and colors---but the influences are subtle. His color range reflects a color chart, but there is no one particular preference. The compositions are delightfully busy. In addition, he shows his sculpture work. You will see an influence from the Amsterdam School of the early 20th century. (40x50 cms., water color @ 1,900 euro; oils on linen from 4,200 to 12,500 euro)  Until26th July. www.morrengalleries.nl 
***
Marli Turion is at Appels Gallery (Brouwersgracht 151) with a very different way to look at the figurative side of the body. At first you see a busy background and basically expressionistic. A closer look will reveal a subtle figurative rendering of a woman or a segment of her torso. Unusual and sometimes captivating. (70x50 cm.s, ! 1,500 euro; 120x100 cms., @ 2,600 euro; 120xa70 cms., @ 3,500 euro). For opening times see: www.appelsgallery.nl 
***
Galerie Mokum (OZ Voorburgwal 334) is showing two artists. Perdo Escalone paints realistic still lifes. The colors tend to be soft pastels. The subject matter consists of vases, pots, glasses and cups. (40x60 cms., 3,800 euro; 90x160 cms., @ 11.000 euro)....Peter Hartwig is a contemporary impressionist/expressionist who creates an illusion of reality. You see the representation but you find it hard to focus on the subject matter because all the colors keep getting in the way. Read: Lots of tension. (50x70 cms., @2,900 euro; 70x90 cms., @ 4,800 euro; 100x200 cms., @ 8,00 euro) Until 5th July. www.galeriemokum.com 
*** 
Percipi (Rozenstraat 223) is showing Jaap Kamsma who takes us for a day at the zoo. He paints expressionistic representational scenes of both wild life and flora that we associate with a zoo. He favors green and the rest of the colors are subtle in their sketchy renderings. (114x65 cms., gouache/tempera @ 1,250 euro; 170x119 cms., gouache/tempera @ 2,000 euro; 164x219 cms., gouache/tempera @ 2,500 euro)  Until 5thJuly. https://bit.ly/2xrBKhW 
***
Letha Wilson (USA) is at GRIMM (Frans Halsstraat 26) with a conceptual art exhibition and an unusual technique. Better said, she has several techniques. She takes several large printed photos, folds them  and arranges them in a dimensional form and working against each other in the same composition. This creates a dimensional visual perception. There is a b/w series of photos which play on geometric abstraction by overlapping. (61x55x2.5 cms., C-print, cement @ 5,500 euro; 56x46x3.8 cms., C-print, concrete, emulsion transfer, Corten steel frame @ 9,00 euro)  EIGHT RED DOTS at opening. www.grimmgallery.com 
***
Jan Henderikse founded with Henk Peeters and Armando the NUL group, 1960. And he is still going strong continuing to produce works that fit into his original concepts made 55 years ago. His latest exhibition, at BORZO (Keizersgracht 516) is a mix of styles and techniques. He hangs a series of license plates---several grouped together as one---and looking almost monochromatic and one with the colors of a rainbow. Then there are the wine cork collages which is a study in conceptual redundancy. Don't miss the $1,000,000 work in a very large Plexiglas frame. It is a collection of shredded American currency. Also you will see four b/w brush-work pieces. The brochure says of his work that "Creating art by not making it yourself is actually the ultimate challenge." (36x54 cms., ink on paper @ 4,500 euro; 61x61x13 cms., corks on panel @7,500 euro; 121x214 cms., license plates @ 32,000 euro) Until 11th July. https://bit.ly/2maQxaC 
***
Rento Brattinga Galerie (Lauriergracht 80)  features the work of the recently deceased Dutch artist Carel Visser. This is his second retrospective show in the last two months. At this gallery you will see mostly his print work---he used "Steendrukerij's" litho presses to make most of his prints. The work begins with 1959. You will also see mixed media work where he combines the print with drawing. Then there are the whimsical collages. Also don't miss the puppet-like cut-outs; one features Dali. Visser was both a minimalist and conceptualist. (wood cut-out, Ed 175, 1989 @ 425 euro; woodcut Ed 20 1990 @ 765; woodcut, Ed 20 1986 @ 2,400 euro; cut-out, 1988 @ 7,000 euro). Until 4th July. www.rentobrattinga.com 
***
Two photogrpahers share the space at MLB (Witte de Withstraat 32). Saskia Aukema is a portrait photographer that shoots in color. She somehow gets the best out of her subjects because they don't appear to be posed; and they seem relaxed before the camera's lens. In fact, sometimes they are playful. The series is labeled "What's in a Name?" and each photo starts with a "name."....Richard Bank is a photographer who specializes in bridges. He does it in two ways. New and highly stylized bridges gets his attention with their many cables. However, it is not  the bridge itself which he captures but the geometric aspects of the design. He concentrates on these  elements producing abstract designs. He hangs another series of "bridge" photos by going below the bridge level of the roadway/railway. He captures the geometric cubes of the tiles and the graffiti that has been sprayed on the tiles. No price list. Until 28th June. www.mlbgalerie.nl 
***
"Comes as you are"  is the title of the exhibition at SMBA (Rozenstraat 59). It is unusual because it consists of two Dutch artists who have made art works to decorate the Mosque located on the Rozengracht. Job Wouters has painted on the art space' wall poster-like works with colorful designs from the geometric to the symbolic to form geometric abstraction imagery. One piece features typography....Ad de Jong contributes epoxy squares layered atop each other with slight nuances in colors. Until __?__  www.smba.nl 
***
At AKINCI (Lijnbaansgracht 317) is the wood sculpture work of Stephan Balkenhol (Germany) with yet another solo exhibition at the gallery. His work is both impressionistic and there is an element of expressionism as well. The latter comes from the fact that the wood is cut roughly; no sanding...but it works. He adds paint to better define the imagery. Something new, in this oeuvre, are wooden reliefs that have text---in German and French---burned on the frame. He carves out flowers and then colors them. One piece you could described as conceptual representation. A standing woman's face is a tulip. In another work he has carved out the image of a man, but the painted background is a purple abstraction. There is a strong tension between the two images. (60x40 cms.,, wood relief, 8,500 euro; all six @ 6,000 euro/each; 230x101x55 cms., wood @ 96,000 euro)  Until 11th July. https://akinci.nl/
***
...And just a few doors down the canal is LUMEN TRAVO (Lijnbaansgracht 314) showing the English artist Stephen Willats who presents "us with different ways of looking at the society between people, reflecting how we live today." However, he puts all that into an abstract/conceptual setting. Some pieces look almost like a road map. He combines photography with geometric symbolism and adds a good measure of typography. In the big gallery there is a wall which has been delineated with squares and arrows. Against this background there are six geometric works which reflect it but also offers a strong contrast. (75x50 cms., pencil, gouache on paper @ 16,800 euro; 112x42 cms., photograhic prints, acrylic paint, Letraset text on cardboard @ 22,400 euro)  www.lumentravo.nl 
***
Christien Meindertsma is at "andriesse-eyck" (Leliegrsacht 47)  presenting an unusual visual experience; not to mention an unusual artistic concept "Tree Track [is] an unique autonomous work commissioned by InnovatieNetwerk. Tree Track is a 13-metre-long wooden train track with trains and blocks made from a complete 13-metre-tall beech tree from the Flevopolder." It is basically a model of a railroad switching yard, the place where a train is made up of its individual cars with their unique destinations. He has fashioned track and cars form beech wood and laid it out in an intricate design closely resembling a tree. The model railroad yard covers the floor and tracks climb the walls. There is a video which animates the installation. In the gallery's back space There is more wood and he has sculpted a simple design for each. (40x40 cms., to 60x30 cms., wood Ed. 10 @ 1,625 euro)  Until 5th July. www.andriesse-eyck.com 
***
At Martin van Zomeren Gallery (Hazenstraat 20) is Fiona Mackay who has been inspired by both Kandinsky and Matisse; an unusual combination of influences. Simple in composition and colors, like Matisse, and with symbols and lyrical brush stokes like Kandinsky. The colors are soft pastels with one exception which is an explosion of green. Hey, just like Spring. (195x135 cms., fabric dye on cotton acrylic mix @ 5,800 euro)...Cornelius Quabeck hangs a series of four black paintings which are nearly monochromatic except for the occasional skull, guitar or rabbit ears. (160x140 cms., ink on canvas @ 7,500 euro) Until 18th July.
***
...And just down the street is ORNIS A. GALLERY (Hazenstraat 11)  showing Waldemar Zimbelmann who brings several elements of 20th century art movements together. Start with the German Expressionist move up to some of Jasper John's early work with the Pop School to Basquiat's graffiti works. His technique goes beyond painting---though if you get your nose close to the canvas and look at the figures you see a painter at work with lots of nuances and depth. But, then, he takes an implement and scratches the surface. There are more "nuances" like that. (443x30 cms., acrylic and color pencil on paper #@ 3,500 euro; 70x50 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 5,000 euro; 200x150 cms.m acrylic on canvas @ 14,000 euro)....Christina Pasedag shares the space with works on paper. Basically her style reflects that of Zimbelmann but goes beyond to the point of being reminiscent of the Fauve School to Egon Schiele. Lots of colors. (70x50 cms., acrylic on paper @ 800 euro). Until 27th June. www.ornisagallery.com 
***
RADAR (1e Rozendwarsstraat 17)  is exhibiting architectural photographs. The subject matter is contemporary Japanese buildings featuring Tokyo and other Japanese' cities. The presentation is unusual. The photos are enclosed in like a children's shadow box and it requires you to get up close and peer through the viewing gap. In the center of the space, there is an area defined by a drape hanging from the ceiling; there is place to enter and once inside you have a 360 degree view of an architectural setting. "Nisia" (nee: Veronika Wawrzynia)  and Marco de Piagge are the photographers. Until 19th June. www.radar-amsterdam.com 
***
Patrick Tschudi (Peru) is hanging conceptual photographic work at Wanrooij Gallery (Stadhouderskade 41) which brings a new dimension to photographic art. He focuses on groups of people at beaches, parks and Times Square, etc. But he makes them anonymous as is alway true with a large gathering, however in his own and unique way. He substitutes each individual's head with a big black circle and the hands are black blobs. But all this black is accented with lots and lots of color. There is an abstraction as well in these "representational" works. It is achieved by the division of the colors. Two works feature Vondel Park and they are truly representational because he includes the garbage dumpsters and smoke rising from charcoal pits; and there is a carnival sense to the scene, people having fun surrounded by monochromatic colors. (90x82 cms., Inkjet exposure on fine art paper, finished on high gloss, Ed 3 @ 5,000 euro; 90x135 cms., same tech., Ed 3 @ 6,500 euro) Until 30thJune  www.wanrooijgallery.com 
***
Mariëlle Videler is at LUMEN TRAVO (Lijnbaansgracht 314) with a WOW!!! What an exhibition! Part of our art heritage are the tapestries of the 16th to 19th century. Artists are now rediscovering this delicate art technique. So the tapestry is making a come back...and it should not be considered only a craft. Videler creates compositions and tell stories in fabric and textile. The compositions are really a little of everything: representational, figurative, geometric designs, abstract symbols, birds, ants, rats etc. And the color are bright and joyful; each work seems to represent a color chart of shades. We are reminded of man's first attempts at "art" which was drawing, in charcoal, on the walls of caves, 40,000 years ago, by Neanderthals. And her work is sometimes tinged with the primitive and naive. The piece de resistance is a giant wall tapestry measuring 640x360 cms. It is figurative, geometric and tells a story. Nice! The press release says that she "is looking for a reassessment of our relationship to animals. Her starting point was images of hunting and prehistoric images of animals." In the small gallery she hangs pencil drawings. They are basically simple line drawings with detail, humor, abstract and from a conceptual angle. (30x28 cms., drawing @ 700 euro; 76x56 cms., drawing @ 1,250 euro; 120 cms.,  diameter, fabric @ 3,500 euro; 640x360 cms., wall installation, fabric @ 22,000 euro. Until 23rd May. www.lumentravo.nl 
*** 

ORIGINAL POSTINGS:

At the Mini Galerie (Kinkerstraat 12)  is an Italian, who goes by the name Tellas (neé: Fabio Schirru). He is basically a linear abstract artist. His work is very detailed and "explores the unspoiled landscapes of his native land [Sardinia, Italy]  through the use of abstracted motifs." He keeps color to a minimum and several works are b/w (pencil, ink). You will see a relation to work by Jean Dubuffet done in the late 50s. (30x30 cms., ink on paper @ 450 euro; 50x70 cms., ink on paper @ 950 euro; 90x140 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 3,400 euro)  EIGHT RED DOTS at opening. Until 20oth June. www.minigalerie.nl 
***
Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandstraat 12), the new jewelry gallery, shows Ted Noten (NL) who introduces a very personal as well as unique conceptual approach to jewelry making whether you label it "new" or "traditional." There are seven or so A4 framed "signs" hanging on the wall. Each have a "title" like, "ring," "brooch," necklace," et al and there is a price. The prices range from a low of 1,500 euro to 15,000 euro. But, hey, there is NO jewelry. Kid you not! Well, someone explained to me what it was all about. You select let us say an "armband." You will meet three times with Noten. The first time you will describe to him what you WANT. The second time he will show you initial design drawings; and the third time a drawing of what the final piece will look like. Jewelry is a very personal thing. And this "technique", of Noten's, makes it even more personal. you are part of the design. A major ingredient. He guarantees you delivery of "your production" within six months. Let's give this a WOW!!! if only for the originality of the marketing concept. Love it! (1,500 euro; 2,250 euro; 4,950 euro & 15,000 euro.)
*
Sharing the space is Mi-Ah Rödiger (German/Korean) does "sculptured new jewelry." What the hell is that? you ask. Indeed she goes beyond traditional ideas as to what makes jewelry jewelry. She redefines the concept of jewelry by asserting it isn't only an accessory, but it can be a sculpted and integrated part of the wearer's wardrobe and persona. How to describe it? Well, two works are elaborate in design though also fundamentally simple. One piece is in bright scarlet red epoxy and measures about 50x50x50 cms., and sits on a person's shoulder. Another work is slightly smaller but shares the same basic principle of sitting on the shoulder. (3,850 to 24,000 euro). Until 30th. May www.galerierobkoudijs.nl 
*** 
SOLEDAD SENELLE: art foundation (Sloterkade 171) is an occasional art gallery. It is a small fashion design company that sponsors art exhibitions between the breaks in the yearly fashion schedule. The current show features two artists. Barbara Rink (NL) has created a "forest" of trees at the back of the gallery space. She draws and paints tree trunks and sometimes branches on rolled paper scrolls that are from one meter to three meters high. There are about 20 pieces that make up the installation, but are available, for sale, individually....Christina Della Giustina (IT/CH) uses several techniques to express herself: live and interactive video; video; light installation, composition, drawing and writing. In this show she "presents the research project 'you are variations.' Here she listens to the inner life of trees by translating scientific long-term monitoring data of tree activity into musical scores." The music is minimal and the theme is to emulate the trees growth, its life. Four handmade books are outstanding example's of the bookmaking art. They are filled with illustrations and even musical scores and photos. But it is the covers that will get your attention. The book "covers" are made from wood. And each has had a round hole cut into its center. Inserted into this hole is a cutting of a core of a tree with all its rings showing. Beautiful!  Until 31st May. (N.B. On the 31st May both artist will present an "artist's talk." the program begins are 15:00 until 17:00. More info at: www.soledad.nl 
***
Qlick Editions (Gerard Doustraat 134) hangs the photographic work of Joris van der Ploeg. He graduated recently from the Photo Academy of Amsterdam (2014) and has already been cited as "one of the New Dutch Talents, 2015." He says of his photography, "I only photograph young females because I find them absolutely mysterious and pure. They are in that fragile phase between being a child and hitting puberty: the phase, where society has not yet influenced them." What you will see are these young waifs seducing the camera's lens with their innocence. There are not smiling and they sometimes look like they wish they could be somewhere else. And the b/w imagery is vague and sometimes looking slightly out-of-focus. Another series features nudes---all over the age of 18---with a color scheme that resembles the imagery produced by night-vision goggles; sort of a sickly pale green hue. And there is the added nuance where a few look like double exposures. (Two sizes per photo: 40x50 cms., Hahnemühle paper, Ed. 4 @ 1,500 euro; 80x100, same technique, Ed 4 @ 2,150 euro)  There is also a catalog available with 30+ photos which illustrate the breath of his oeuvre, @ 30 euro. Until __?__  www.qlickeditions.com 
***
Karin Santen is at Galerie De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) with her ceramic work. In the window of the gallery there is a quote from the song writer Leonard Cohen: "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets through." Santen makes almost raw forms from clay. There is color, but it seems more natural than applied. The forms are conceptual with lots of angles and multiforms welded together. One pieces has broken ceramic shards. Other works look like a contortionist dictated the form. (450 to 2,000 euro)  Until 7th June. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl
***
RA--the new jewelry gallery---is featuring the work of Réka Fekete and her vision of new jewelry is to combine the geometric/abstract forms that seem to have been punched from thin metal sheets into collages. The collage may be a brooch or a necklace. Some are simple collages and others very elaborate. The metals are steel, silver and aluminium. There are also two large collages meant to be wall hangings. The materials are zinc, found wood, book cover, rope, and iron wire. "She plays with scale, capturing the city as a machine in bird's eye views." The prices are buyer friendly starting as low as 137 and 241 euro and escalate up to 1,571 and 2,711 euros. Until 13th June. www.galerie-ra.nl 
***
And about 100 meters from the above gallery is Galerie Mokum (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 334)  showing the realist Robert Vorstman . His technique is a mix of the impressionist and expressionist. He specializes in Amsterdam' city scenes and the North Sea beaches. The city scenes vary form his portrayal of various Amsterdam streets to bridges to individual houses. There is a vague and almost out-of-focus imagery. The beach scenes range from the sea against and angry Dutch sky to one where the beach and sky are accents to colorful kites blowing in the wind. (Oil of canvas @ 900 and 950 euro; big, oil on canvas @ 5,700 euro) Until 24th May. www.galeriemokum.com 
***
Anuli Croon shows paintings and "prints" at Rento Brattinga Galerie (Lauriergracht 80). He uses a style introduced by David Salle, but done in his unique way. The imagery consists of cartoon-like illustrations of figures but they are accented with geometric designs, symbols and abstraction. There is much color. A series of "prints," which are really stenciled work, almost steals the show with their simplicity of both form and color. And while each "print" is in an edition of 10, each one is individually executed thus unique. (30x21 cms., stenciled acrylic, Ed 10 @ 300 euro; 47x143 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 2,750 euro; 170x250 cms., acrylic on cnavas @ 7,500 euro)  Until 30th May. www.rentobrattinga.nl 
***
At Stigter Van Doesburg (Elansdstraat 90) is the work of  Sema Bekirovic and, according to the press release, it is "best described as playful conceptualism." Her material comes from objects found at flea markets and she tries to create a personal history around the source material. A wall piece consists of a post card of Gaudi's Familia Sagrada, in Barcelona, and she has highlighted/exposed fingerprints---with forensic powder---from people who had held it. The prints are in fluorescent paint and the "frame" has a black light which illuminates the work. A large "diamond" sits next to the postcard. A "video" shows two pairs of soft-soled shoes with an organic growth emerging from it like a glob rising from a swamp in a 50s' Sci-Fi B-movie. Three flat screens show a pair of hands in the process of molding a form. The colors are violet to pink and the imagery is reminiscent of a Man Ray's, Ray-o-graph. In the small back space, of the gallery, there are five "photographic sheets" where the imagery have been affected by fire or heat. (25x20 cms., Self-exposed photographic paper, unique @ 800 euro; 28.5x22x9.5 cms., UV lamp, forensic powder, found objects @ 4,500 euro; Three-channel video, 6 min. Ed 3 @ 7,500 euro)  Until 20th June www.stigtervandoesburg.com 
*** 
Carel Visser (1928-2015) was a remarkable artist; he was primarily a conceptual minimalist who expressed the style with prints, drawings, collages and sculptor. His work consist of simple forms, simple imagery and more often than not the work is in b/w....But there was more to his oeuvre. At BORZO (Keizersgracht 516) you will see three exceptional collages, but his collages have little in common with that of other artists. Each work hanging is dimensional and the material he uses---like a complete box that contained a child's toy---are not what is commonly expected. His metal/iron objects/sculptures reflect his minimalist' view of form and can been seen in the back space of the gallery. Some of his metal works hang on the wall like a large sheet of aluminium which has as embellishments only the scrapes, scars and dents from its original use. A true ready made.

His "drawings," again, are minimal in design and execution. However, minimalism doesn't necessarily imply works of a few pencil strokes and in the pieces hanging, in the show, you will see how the "black background" is not painted on, but the result of literally thousands of soft lead/graphite strokes. Hours and hours of effort. And with that said, there are drawings with only a few pencil lines and they are no less striking. Visser died this year at the age of 87. This exhibition is an abbreviated retrospective of his oeuvre and well worth making an effort to see it. (3,000 to 70,000 euro)  FIVE RED DOTS at opening. Until 30th May. https://bit.ly/2maQxaC 
***
Well, what's in a name? At Adk (Prinsengracht 534) 3D went from work to work---33 pieces hanging---and tried to formulate a description of what I was seeing and the stylistic theme. Then I picked up the price list and saw: Mose Boonday and Pieter Holstein. But the list didn't indicate who-was-who. I asked the gallery holder and she replied, "It's the same person!" Oh! And perhaps the two identities are necessary because his work covers a wide range of styles. Though all are self-contained under geometric/abstraction you will see work that reflects Jean Dubufett, Van Gogh, Eugene Brands and a little of Miro here and there with the colors of Matisse. Nothing is derivative, but all have the best elements of these artist. In this show, there are a least two masterworks...you can decide for your self what they are. The opening was an ocassion for book signing. A limited edition of 200 @ 80 euro; De Waterval, Ed. 60 @ 60 euro; "On the Way" @ 80 euro). FOUR RED DOTS. Until 30th May. www.adkactuelekunst.nl 
***
"I adore trival things...I create illusions," so says Miguel Delie (Belgium) in reference to his work now on show at Jaski Art Gallery (Nieuw Spiegelstraat 29). And as to the work...well, it reflects the present day society in several ways. First of all, it is busy to very busy. Each piece contains hundreds of "faces". They are from plastic, glass, fabric and whatnots. You will see lots of Disney characters, The Hulk, the M&M twins to the iconic Venus de Milo to Jesus Christ. He doesn't leave out anyone. To be sure, the work is pure kitsch; the colors reflect every color on a color chart including their individual shades. And to get into anyone work requires time. There is much to see. Busy, busy, busy...and engrossing! (71x58x31 cms., mixed media @ 5,500 euro; 103x78x36 cms., mixed media @ 6,000 euro; 124x93x42 cms., mixed media @ 8,000 euro)  Until 24th May. www.jaski.nl
***
Galerie "bart" (Elandsgracht 16)  hangs oil paintings by Jisan Ahn (S. Korea). He studied at the Rijksacademy (2013-2014) , but has returned home. He has two focuses: limbs of the body and night scenes in wooded areas. There are three of the later hanging in this show. They are remarkable for their light which stands out because of his subtle dabs of white paint and because they are night scenes. You will see elements from Rembrandt in his work because of the way he achieves the light effect. Like the master, here and there, there is a dab of pure white paint.While the work is realistic, it has a subtle vagueness with its brush strokes closer to that of an expressionist. (24x30 cms., oil on canvas @ 705 euro; 40x60 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,300 euro; 200x280 cms., oil on canvas @ 6,240 euro) Until 20th June. www.galeriebart.nl
*** 
Jaume Amigó is at Galerie Roger Katwijk (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198) with work that you may consider retro; reminiscent from styles c 1960, but updated and contemporary. Basically, the work is pure abstraction which is then enhanced with vertical lines. But that's the simple explanation. Amigó achieves unusual depth perception by painting layer-on-layer. Forget the color chart because he is not all about color. What color there is is more-or-less a means to an end. (41x33 cms., acrylic on linen @ 1,300 euro; 97x130 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 4,800 euro)...Also showing is the avant garde sculpture work of Stephan Siebers who works in steel. He is a conceptual minimalist who favors cubes and the simple square. The cubes are sometimes stacked atop each other with the top one resting on a point of the cube. The squares are stacked in a irregular pattern. (25x15x5 cms., steel @ 3,800 euro; 80x80x40 cms., steel @ 10,500 euro). Until 6th June. www.galerierogerkatwijk.nl 
***
Abner Preis (USofA) has taken over the space at Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Tolstraat 84) for his second solo exhibition at the gallery. It is an installation-like exhibition which consists of many parts. At the center, of the large space, is a kinetic sculptor work which measures five meters in diameter and the ring sits on a two meter high post. The ring is suspended with industrial straps.You are encouraged to interact with it. On the wall there is a black rug-like piece that is about four meters high by two meters. On it, there are cut-out Mattise-like forms and you are also encouraged to rearrange them to create your own composition---there is ladder provided to make it possible. Four works are on paper and made from wax and fire. In another room, there are eight large cut-out forms from cardboard. The installation tells a story. On a wall opposite is a b/w drawing measuring five by four meters which also tells a story. Until 20th May. www.gabrielrolt.com 
*** 
Witteveen (Konijnenstraat 16) is hosting a show for the work of Miriam Londono and if you like typographical elements in a work of art this is the show for you, in fact, even if you don't you will marvel at the cut-outs. Several appeared to be written abstracts, sentence after sentence, though, in truth, you can't read them. No matter. It is the abstraction of alpha symbols that standout. She has even fashioned a human-like head from individual letters. Then there are two which feature a group of people; one with ten people and the other with 17, and cleaverly done. Be sure not to miss the eight page "book" in 3D. Amazing piece....Maurice van Tellingen makes maquettes; 3D models of whatever gets his attention  and other are from his own conceptual artistic' mind. In this exhibition there are several smaller works and with very affordable prices. You will see the partial profile of a recreational caravan; the shuttered doors of a wood-faced cabin; a view of the entrance to a contemporary home; a fireplace set in a room. In the latter, he plays with the viewer visually by using unusual perspectives. The large 150x200 cms., iron sewer cover looks as if it has been cut from the surface of an A'dam street. And don't overlook the two framed pencil drawings each with four individual images. (950, 1,100 to 11,750 euro) 3 RED DOTS....Carina Ellemers works with textiles. She fashions geometric designs from cloth like a dishrag or kitchen towel and does things to enhance the patterns. Other times she adds paint which creates depth to the imagery. Nice! (30x30 cms., @ 850 euro) Until __?__  https://bit.ly/2NR0zdF
***
Casper Faasen is at Kahmann Gallery (Lindengracht 35). Earlier in this edition of the 3D List I mentioned that the Japanese duo, Nerhol---showing at "foam"---produce an unique style and introduce a new form of technique...and so does Faasen. In fact, the question is, "How much is photography and how much is conceptual innovation. Bascially, he does nudes---there are a few landscapes as well as skyscapes---but you won't be embarrassed in your grandma visits. The imagery is so vague that is almost subliminal. It is like we are looking at the model through smoked glass. "His photographs are built up like paintings with different imaginary and physical layers, giving the viewer a feeling of distance and at the same time a voyeuristic presence." And he goes further by introducing a geometric abstract that acts like a fence that we are look through to see the nudes. It resembles crackling which we see on the surface of 16th to 18th century paintings. The work, on exhibition, ranges from the small to very large. (small: 20x20 cms., to 50x20 cms., @ 750 to 1,050; 150x150 cms, photo on Setasamd with oil paint, Ed 7 @ 6,500 euro---available in other sizes; 260x140 cms., same technique Ed 3 @ 8,250 euro) Until 30th June. www.kahmanngallery.com 
***
Frozen Fountain (Prisengracht 645)  is a avant garde design gallery showing everything from furniture to wall covering, children's toys, objects-of-art and just about anything that might add to the decor of someone's space. The current exhibition is titled Post Milan which shows what was new at the Milan Design Show this year. It is a short tour of the outstanding and novel. The work ranges from the decorative, to the whimsical, to the paractical and everything in between. Check out the potentially infinite ceramic bench by Chris Kabel and St. Joris. It is offered at 1,210 euro/meter; nine sections. In the same room there are nine mirrors in tarnished 50s brass frames and each in its own unique shape. They are Italian made. (39 cms., in diameter @ 1,500 euro; 82x51 cms,m, @ 2,500 euro)

Patrick Schols makes cabinets and each has a truly unique design. And the design is 3D. Because of this fractured arrangement it reflects light in infinite ways. (80x80x80 cms., @ 8,900 euro; 91x38x169 cms.m, @ 12,000 euro)...Mararten Baas---the fire bug best known for his charcoaled furniture---teams up with Berjan Pot. They use clay and form it around metal tubing---shaping it---and add LED lights to produce table lamps, floor lamps and a three section dressing mirror. (2,732 to 13,573 euro).

The opening was also an occassion for a book signing by Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings for their title, "Reproducing Scholten & Baijings," published by Phaidon, London  (352 pages @ 75 euro). It "is primary a visual record of their design process---from the initial drawings and sketches, through a multitude of models, prototypes, color swatches and samples, to the finished product." www.frozenfountain.nl 
***
The Weiner Wall (Bilderdijkstraat 165b) is not the name of an art gallery, but the name of a "wall" that's at the entrance to a large building containing artists' ateliers. The wall measures 162 cms., by 405 cms., and artists are welcome to submit proposals on how to fill it. The latest initiative is by Aafke Bennema who has created a mixed media work with aJugendstil feel (c. 1900). She made the original abstract drawings on paper using pastel chalk and in a sense the wall is a monotype, however she enhanced the imagery after transferring it to the wall. Colorful, but subtly so. Until 1st September. www.m4gastatelier.nl 
*** 
Renzo Martens is at Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140) with something different. And different from several directions. Martens founded the Institute for Human Activities (IHA), in the Congo, in 2012. This conceptual exhibition comes with a message...or it might be better to say, a cry form the Congo. He attacks African poverty with his institute, "The new institute observes a gap in critically; socially-engaged contemporary art practices typically deal with labor conditions, migration and social injustice." He has created a settlement in the Congo under the IHA flag ( on display) and has organized artistic workshops. Plantation workers in collaboration with Kinshasa-based arts have "created elaborate self-portraits and sculptures." These works, made from river clay, were scanned and digitally transported to Amsterdam "where molds were made and chocolate sculptures were cast from the same cocoa that [these] plantations workers produce for the global market throughout the last century." And that's what you will see; figurative sculptures standing from 39 cms., to 139 cms., to 162 cms., high and made completely from chocolate. 

While there is an obviously tribal imagery and influence in the forms you will also see a grotesque-like influence from European gargoyles that adorned churches in the past centuries. Of course, when 3D looked at the price list and saw that one piece will set you back 12,000 euro, my first thought was: if you live permanently in a cold climate the work might be practical, but even in Holland you must anticipate a few dog-days of heat in August...and it'll be like Frosty the Snowman come spring. A blob of liquid on the floor. Well, what you get for your money is that digitally programmed CD that will allow you to reproduce the work in whatever material you wish. And there is more to the show which includes photogrpahy that illustrates the IHA settlement. Also, there are small chocolate sculptures---boxed---at 40 euro each. (18x24 cms., Video stills, Ed 10 @ 400 euro; 21x30 xms., photo, Ed 10 @700 euro; 38x21x24 cms., chocolate, Ed 5 @ 5,000 euro; 162x56x74 cms., chocolate, Ed 5 @ 12,000 euro)  (N.B. the proceeds from the sale of these sculptured works go directly to the individual artists and the Cercel d'Art des Travailleurs de Planatations Congolaisese, minus cost.) Until 6th June. www.fonswelters.nl 
*** 
Andrea Radai's homage to the Dutch actor, Jeroen Willems is now at Reuten Galeries (Prinsengracht 510). His portraits of the man are poignant. He is captured in several poises; some only a portrait and a few that includes his environment. A few are in b/w and with exceptional contrast. Also, you can vote for your favorite portrait of Willems and the one receiving the most votes will be displayed at the Stadsschouwburg. (50x40 cms., oil on linen @ 1,450 euro; 120x100 cm.s, oil on linen @ 3,500 euro; 120x200 cms. oil on linen @ 7,000 euro)  Until 28th June. https://www.reutengalerie.com/ 
*** 
At ArtACasa (Kerkstraat 411) is an exhibition for Thecla Renders (NL) that asks the question: What do you get when you mix Van Gogh's style with that of Mattise?  Answer: A beautiful colorful work of art! She favors soft pastel colors and concentrates on still lifes and flower bouquets. Often, she paints the frame to complement the work. Her technique is basically that of a contemporary impressionist, but she has her own voice, technique and unique style. No two are really alike. Nice work! (10x20 cms., @ 50 euro; 30x20 cms., @ 125 euro; 100x87 cms., oil @ 1,150 euro; 110x90 cms., oil @ 2,000 euro)  5 RED DOTS at opening. Until  16th June. www.artacasa.nl 
*** 
Alan Charlton (UK) is at SLEWE (Kerkstraat 105) with his minimalistic conceptual paintings with a pyramid theme. He interpretates the form in several configurations. Every work is monochromatic and the "color" is from light gray to charcoal gray. His color criteria was established 40 years ago. (90x90 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 20,000 euro; 180x180 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 40,000 euro). Until 20th June. www.slewe.nl 
***
 Galerie Gerhard Hofland shows four artists. Leading the list is Michael Kirkham making his annual return. He is an examplary painter but with a harsh to black view to life. "Man and Sorrows" reflects 19th century artistic themes and imagery which owes much to Goya and Delacroix. As always there is a series of drawings that constitute a "condenced graphic novel." The story is a modern day version of Shakespear's Romeo and Juiliette. It is tragic and his use of graphite only enhances the noir story. There are a total of 11 drawings (SOLD)....Jens Wolf is also a frequent artist at the gallery. She does parallel linear abstracts, but with a twist, that is, the forms are irregular and sometimes in conflict with its own parallelism....Simon Hemmer presents a series of very colorful pencil drawings on paper. He also incorporates typography in the compositions. (5x60x42 cms., pencil on paper @ 750 euro). This was the only artist with a price tag....Wolfgang Flad shows two works. One is an abstract sculpture made from wood, lacquire and paper-mache. A wall hanging of Berken tryplex has been augered with linear groves.  (No price list available) Until 27th June  http://gerhardhofland.com/en/ 
*** 
Galerie Lieve Hemel (N. Spiegelstraat 3) presents three artists. Rudolf Hellebaut challenges the boundries of realism. His painted images: people, animals, eyes, three ladies showing their buttocks, et al are all pure realism. But it is the way he forms his compositons which makes you question the realism. It is not only unusual, but borders on the fantasy view of things. (20x18 cms., oil on copper @ 1,400 euro; 24x18 cms., on copper @ 3,200 euro)....Hester Schroor also challenges the quesiton: What is realism? She produces works like you see illustrating a horror story or a children's book of fairy tales. The portraits are distorted to the point of being grotesque. However, they have a captivating element that's hard to ignore; maybe it's her humor. (17x13 cms., tempera, gold transfer * 1,400 euro; 40x30 cms., tempera @ 2,800 euro)....Roger Braun is a realist. There is no doubt about that! His subject matter is young girls. He sees them with a keen eye. They are innocents at the turning point of becoming young adults. He is heavy on b/w contrast and captures light perfectly. (12x23 cms., pencil, acrylic on panel @ 1,200 euro; 80x40 cms., acrylic on panel @ 6,500 euro; 80x100 cms., acrylic on panel @ 12,000 euro) EIGHT RED DOTS at opening for Braun.

Koen Nieuwendijk, the gallery holder, participated in a performance by Thijs van Vuure, a biologist who embeds scientific experiments in performance; the "bird script" was formulated by Oda de Jong. It was most unusual. Well, very, very unusual! He put on ear phones and began to make noises and there was a unity to the sounds. But then he switched to a higher pitch. What was this all about? Finally, Van Vuure turned the laptop towards the audience and pushed a button. We saw a bird warbling and next to the bird was Koen pursing his lips in unison to the sounds. This was followed by a second set of chirping. It was fun! Until 13th June www.lievehemel.nl 
***
WALLS (Prinsengracht 737) features the work of Silas (neé: Silas Schletterer) who is a colorist that paints "portraits." The subjects are young men and young women. There is something about his style that is reminiscent of the Dutch Fauve artist, Kees van Dongen' works. Something else that will get your attention are those works that include a background like a landscape or skyscape; the one with lightning is very nice. (70x50 cms., mixed media on paper @ 1,250 euro; 100x160 cms., oil on canvas @ 5,500 euro). Until 14th June. https://bit.ly/2LRAexM 
*** 
Two artists are at RON MANDOS (Prisengracht 282). Esiti Erheriene-Essi (UK) is a contemporary Pop School artist who has been inspired by Robert Rauschenberg's social approach to the school. She has all the colors---lots and lots of color---but she conveys strong and assertive social and political messages. Expect to see dizzingly busy compositions. Each painting has a collage-type of background featuring pages from vintage magazines. (70x100 cms., charcoal on paper @ 1,150 euro; 200x240 cms., oil, ink, Xerox transfer on canvas @ 13,5000 euro)...Kristof Kintera (Czech Republic) goes from conceptual minimalism to kitschy collages and in between throws in a little humor like the inverted plastic pale that skirts along the floor. There are other kinetic works to see like the tall tree branch that supports a globe of the world and from time-to-time shakes its booty. The collages are difficult to describe. She uses epoxy to a great extent and adds a cell phone, a book, and/or other whatnots. Then there are the styrofoam rocks in shades of gray. (105x75x12 cms., mixed media @ 6,200 euro; 67x35x38 cms., epoxy, styrofoam, salt and paint @ 7,500 euro; 330x110x120 cms., concrete, boooks @ 20,000 euro).  Until 27th June. www.ronmandos.nl 
***
One of the joys of going to art openings is that there is always something new to see. At the OKKER Art Gallery(Vijzelstraat 125) is the Belgium photographer, Joël Moens de Hase, who creates "pin-up" images looking like a jigsaw puzzle' image. But his technique is a bit more clever. The work is kitschy and pleasingly so. You will see "portraits", nudes, torsos and more like the bouquet of yellow tulips. He achieves the imagery by collecting literally thousands of very small photographs. These may be female torso shots or the view of female buttocks. He sorts them into similar colors then uses the  small photos to create the overall form. The results demand your attention. I mentioned the yellow tulips, well it is titled "Positive Emotions" and the background is a series of nudes in b/w and infinite shades of gray and the model pictured is holding the bouquet. Beautiful!  (115x98 cms., photo dia-sec Plexiglas, Ed 8, @ 4,300 euro).

Eric Bruïnewoud shoots b/w nudes, but it is his poising and added nuances that makes the work standout. In one, we see a bare breasted woman with a lamp and in antoher a woman covering herself with a leopard's skin. Two other works show a nude in a Japanese-like environment. He is strong on contrast and uses the wet plate technique. (70x140 cms., photo, wetplate technique, Collodion, Ed 9 @ 3,500 euro)  Until 27th June. 
www.okkerartgallery.com 
*** 

Well, in reading this through I see that there are more RED DOTS than I had remembered. To that, I say: KEEP IT UP!Make this a banner year for artists. 

Photo: William Kentridge, Eye Film Museum

http://gould3dlist.blogspot.nl/