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3D List: Week #13 Last week was a pleasant experience and journey into the wonders of the Amsterdam Art Scene. We kick it off in this week's list by taking you on a tour of PAN. It makes 3D droll to see all the beautiful objects and art people have produced over the last 2,000 plus years. Unfortunately, what you see at PAN isn't fit for many pocketbooks, but the dreaming can be fun. Fortunately, there was not an over abundance of gallery openings, but enough to satisfy and art connoisseur's palate. Are you ready?.....Lets ride.... INDEX: Bits & Pieces: Museum Review: foam: Viviane Sassen Art & Antique Fair: pAn, Amsterdam What You Missed Last Week: What Is Happening This Week: BITS & PIECES: The Vatican newspaper has announced that John Lennon has been forgiven. When the Beatles were at their peak, in 1966, Lennon, in an interview with a London newspaper said, "The Beatles are more famous than Jesus Christ." Of course, the Pope on down took exception with that statement and condemned him for the observation. Now the Vatican says "The fact remains that 38 years after breaking up, the songs of the Lennon - McCartney brand have shown an extraordinary resistance to the passage of time, becoming a source of inspiration for more than one generation of pop musicians." Actually, there was reason for real concern, at the time, that Lennon's statement would have an enormous impact. 3D recalls seeing a TV documentary report of cults of teenage girls "praying" to The Beatles and "adoring" them in the way common then with religious services. Interestingly enough, the male teenager didn't seem attracted to the quasi religious services. That it took 38 years for the Vatican to come around to the fact that The Beatles were not the anti-Christ is really fast. The Jews had to wait something like 1,935 (plus or minus) to be absolved for the "murdering" of Jesus. . *** Gallery Utrecht opened their third location here in Amsterdam (Prinsengracht 572) about a year or so ago. More times than not, 3D sees a slew of red dots. Their openings are lavish; the invites and catalogs exceptional; the overhead high. But they are doing something right since they are able to pay for it. At last Sunday's opening (reviewed in this week's list) they introduced another factor into how to market art in a non obtrusive way. Each artists took us on a tour of their work. Explaining methodology, technique and answered questions. A good idea! Unfortunately, 3D was at a loss, not understanding what they were saying...but, he liked the way they said it! *** The gallery MLB (Witte de Withstraat 32) is doing their Sinterklaus and Christmas thing again this year. Spotlighted will be Alice Smits' "Dierenrijk." You can purchase hand made gifts at very favorable prices. The first opportunity will be the 3rd December from 16-20:00. Hey, give someone you love an "object" that an artist put their heart and soul into creating. You will make three people happy: the person receiving the gift, the artist who made it and yourself when you see your friend, lover, partner or child's face when they unwrap it. A real win-win-win affair. *** MUSEUM REVIEW: At foam (Keizersgracht 609) is the photographic work of Viviane Sassen and includes examples that won her the 2007 Prix de Rome. She had spent part of her childhood in Kenya where her father was a doctor. She has returned to the Africa and toured Zambia, Tanzania and her early home to photograph the people and especially the children. Her style is unusual for someone who specializes in portrait like work in that she either hides their faces in shadows or they are only seen in part. An impression from the exhibition 
And their is much more to these her photographs than the people: A photo of a very young boy is a study in contrasts between his dark copper colored skin, a black background with swirls of tobacco smoke accenting the darkness and a pink-orange flower he carries plus the geometric patterned shorts he is wearing. She shoots the ordinary, the unusual, the provocative, the colorful, the humorous and more.
Also, on display, are 26 reproductions of pages from her recently published book. She keeps a diary and in addition to the written word she draws pictures of things that have gotten her attention. You will find her simple line drawings are engaging as what she does with a camera.
Sassen shows at the Amsterdam gallery: Motive. Until 18th January 2009. FOAM Museum
*** Ah, yes, PAN (RAI, Parkhal) comes but once a year. But what an event! Last year, a record 36,277 people paid their way in to feast their eyes on a pot-pourri of art, furniture, objects d'arte and more covering the last 3,000 years of human creativity, as an example, there is a mummy mask to a painting where the pigmentation was still wet (a Japanese artist was doing a work on site). Here is a sketch of PAN spotlighting the interesting, the novel, the expensive and the what-not. 3D teamed up with the Amsterdam gallery photographer, The Red Beret, this year. That means if you go to An impression from the Art Fair 4 pages, 128 pics) you will be able to see photographs of most of what has been written below. Galerie Lieve Hemel (Amsterdam) hangs a little over 150 works of art which represents an incredible overview of the artists represented by the gallery. The spotlight is on Ben Snijders with 15 examples on view. The prices range from a low of 700 euros for R. Hellebaut "Uil in het Donker" (5x3 cms.) to 85,000 euros for Theo Voorzeat's "Het Bootje van Helmantel" (150x100 cms.). Look here Janknegt Fine Art (Laren) is showing an oil/mixed media by Mihay Iovich (USofA) titled, "The ghost of Aphrodite" of which the frame is an essential part; not to mention, the most unusual frame you may ever see. The painter's style is essentially in the tradition of the 19th century, however it has been enclosed in an industrial like metal frame with a wire screen that covers the bottom part of the painting. (300x200 cms., @ 52,300 euros.) Look here At Inter-Antiquariaat Mefferdt & De Jonge (Amsterdam) are exceptional prints and posters from the 19th to early 20th century. A mint condition Alphonse Mucha, "Benedictine," (1898) measuring 205.7x77 cms., is a bargain @ 14,500 euros. Also on view is a collection of late 19th photograveur prints of works' by Lawrence Alma-Tadema at 2,650 to 4,650 euros. Look here Anat Isman-Fander (Hamburg) exhibits contemporary silver art but it was the work by Peter Weber that got 3Ds' attention. He folds artificial paper (Canson-aquarelle) into simple and elegant linear designs. (30x30 cms., @ 950 euros.) Look here Van Lanschot Bankiers ('s-Hertogenbosch) sponsors a large booth thats interior is decorated with contemporary and simple furniture from O. van der Horst (Amstelveen). On the walls hang engravings from the 16th century. Look here At Bijl-Van Urk (Alkmaar) you can see two drawings by Willem van der Velde The Younger @ 14,500 euros to a Peter Paul Rubens, "Miles Christiannus," (36x14 cms., @ 700,000 euros.) Look here Looking for a new watch? Well, the place to look is at Steltman Juwelier (The Hague). A Zenith (awarded the Grand Prix de Paris) is a steal @ 2,200 euro; but for the true connoisseur there is the Breguet Classique Grande @ 169,400 euros (3D wonders what the 400 euros is for?). It is a watch where the mechanism is visible. Also on display is a wide variety of jewelry. Look here * Look here * Look here *** Kunsthandel Wim De Boer (Alkmaar) is showing a nice selection of Kees van Dongen's work. Four oils and five aquarelles. One Van Dongen, "Monique au chapeau," (90x62 cms.,) an oil on canvas has a tag price of 1,200,000 euros. In addition, Raoul Dufy and Maurice Utrillo are featured. Look here Looking for the new and unusual in jewelry or what is being referred to as "new jewelry?" Galerie Marzz-Nijmegen is the stop for you. They have a wide variety of examples that have little or nothing to do with the traditional stuff. You won't see gold, diamonds or silver, but lots of other materials you don't expect. Look here If the names Daum and Galle make you squirm with excitement check out Tiny Esveld's (Rijksvorsel, Belgium) booth where there are several examples ranging from their vases to lamps to a beautiful cabinet by Galle with dragon flies (@48,000 euro). Look here One of his lamps will set you back only 22,000 euros. Several Louis Icart colored etching with prices from 1,650 to 3,200 euros. Galerie Carla Koch (Amsterdam) is showing contemporary ceramic "masterpieces." Oranda Jin ('s-Hertogenbosch) offers Japanese scrolls with brush wash paintings. N. Kaioku (1829) is a very nice landscape at only 2,500 euros. A screen of about four meters (1922) by Nantembo is 3,000 euro. Look here More silver in the contemporary to avant garde style can be seen at Zilvergalerie De Watertorn (Schoonhoven). the designs range from the simple like Nilton Cunha's "Twee Harten" to Paul de Vries conceptual candlestick holders. Look here Kunsthandel Mieke Zilverberg (Amsterdam) is exhibiting a mummy mask dated from the 3rd to 1st century BC priced at 17,500 euros. Another wood figure with polychrome coloring, and from the same period as the first, has a tag with 25,000 euros. Look here Antes Art Form (The Hague) has Mucha's poster "Medee" for 11,800 euros. Also Art Noveau objects such as Alexis Andre bronze lamp which comes with impressive literature documentation. Look here If marble statues is what turns you on, there are several to choose from at Wijermars Antiquairs (De Wijk). They date from the 19th century to well into the 20th. A Giacomo Manzu carved from Carrara marble (49.5 cms., high, 1970) sells for 38,500 euros. And there is something for everyone. Look here Galerie Majke Husstege ('s-Hertogenbosch) shows several works by Barbara Broekman. One of which is titled "On Victorian and Oriental Women (262x130 cms., @ 25,000 euro, dated 2008). It is a mixed media piece that borders on the traditional 19th century style and kitsch. She has made a laser copy of a work by Frederick Lemis on canvas and then embellished it in unusual ways. If you are in the market for early impressions of Rembrandt etchings check out Gebr. Douwe Fine Art (Amsterdam & London). They range in price from 24,000 to 88,000 euros. Look here Galerie van der Planken (Antwerp) is exhibiting a Karel Appel relief of oil on panel that measures 255x220 cms., and offered at 225,000 euros. Look here Gallery Delaive (Amsterdam) is the gallery with the painting that is still wet. The young Japanese artist, Ayako Rokkaku, was composing a rather medium size canvas and it is interesting to watch her work because she shuns brushes and uses her finger tips. Look here Canvas International Art (Amstelveen) has mounted a very good show. The work is from artists whose homes are located in South Korea, China, Japan and India. The work on display reflects the cultural diversity however it is all contemporary to avant garde. Everything is "something different," from photography to miniature paintings that appear, from a distance of only a few meters, to be Poloroids. Look here * Look here * Look here HUP Gallery (Amsterdam) is both a photographic gallery and book publisher. They specialize in b/w vintage photos. Expect to see a little of everything. 3D's favorite was "Amsterdam Chair," by Machiel Botmans (50x60 cms., Ed. 6/10, gelatin silver print @ 3,500 euro). Look here Contempo Galerie (Rotterdam/Eindhoven) shows Juan Bejar who emulates the style of Botero but from the 19th century naive perspective. Look here Etienne Gallery (Oisterwijk). Do you like glass art? Here you will find examples from the avant garde to the kitsch. Bertil Vallien does "sculpt portraits" enclosed in glass, but that doesn't beginning to describe these fascinating objects. Look here * Look here * Look here Kunsthandle Amber (Antwerp) is exhibiting Galle lamps and Omerth ivory bronze sculpture of all descriptions. Also 19th century bronzes like Jules Aime Dalou's "Bachus en Areadneet Cupido," a little gem at only 24.5 cms., high. Look here Willem Kerseboom Gallery (Amsterdam) specializes in avant garde Chinese artist. Zhang Haiying is worth pointing out since his style is so unlike what you expect from the Chinese. That is, he shuns color and expresses himself in his series "anti-vice" in b/w and shades of grade with a only a touch of the maroon here and there. Look here Kunsthandel C.M. Grijpman (Groningen) does nautical and military memoribilia (lots of cannons, big and small; and flint blunderbuss guns). You can start your own war! Look here No better way to end this walk through of the PAN than to mention that you can have your very own Willem de Kooning oil on paper and canvas (75x57 cms.,) for only 500,000 euros. It is offered by Pieter Hoogendijk (Naarden) Look here Well, this is a snapshot of what you can expect to see. There are about 130 dealers and you have had a sampling of 26. To see it all and give each exhibitor the time the work deserves expect to be at PAN for four or more hours. But there are four rest areas offering coffee, wine, beer and sandwiches where you can pause and catch your breath before plunging back into this extravagance of artistic expression. And, HURRY! PAN closes the 30th of November. Adults: 15 euros per person; children 12-18: 7.50; and under 12, Free. Thursday (27th Nov) and Sunday (30th Nov.) 11-18:00; Friday and Saturday (28th & 29th Nov.) 11-19:00. *** WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK: Friday: AYACS (Keizersgracht 164) hung the work of Myra de Vries who major influences come from Asia, specifically Japanese and Chinese scroll paintings. We see this in her selection of color shades and the perspectives. However, she combines these factors with a few contemporary and old techniques such as delutting her paint which gives a wash like effect and thick bold strokes like an impressionist. The show's title is "Changing Landscapes." And indeed they are "landscapes" but in name only since the only defining features that seem to indicate it are white rectangular structures that appear randomly in the compositions. Nice work. (40x40 cms., @ 475; 75x75 cms., @ 975; 135x135 cms., @ 2,400.) Until 20th December. Kijk op de website *** Piet Stockmans is back at De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) for his latest exhibition. How many shows he has had at this gallery is anyone guess; 3D is sure that the gallery holder isn't even certain. A good reason why is because he is an artist with an unique style who consistently reinvents his pallet; well that's not completely accurate because he does work in porcelain. But there is color though a very minimal amount. He accents various pieces with Delft Blue. And on show there is one item that is pure white. The opening was also a book presentation for: "20 Jaar tudio Pieter Stockmans." If you don't know his work it is about time that you discover it. Until 17th December. Kijk op de website *** Platform21 (Prinses Irenestraat 19) did something different. The exhibition area was turned into an fashion designers working space. However, 3D really didn't understand much of what was going on. There were seven people---all with needle and thread---sewing and stitching with intensity. What were they making? Ah, that's where 3D had a problem. The finished products were intricate, sometimes floral, decorative, curious, puzzling, attractive and mysterious. Did I leave any adjective out? As to the "mysterious" there was something covered with bubble wrap with a sign taped to it which read "Canceled." I asked one of the busy bees, who was weaving her needle like an sword dueler's epee, how I should describe what I was seeing: "Fashion accessories!" Yeah, okay, but how do you use them? I mean some things were really weird like the big "hula-hoop" that had octopus like tentacles. Well, does it matter what it is? the show's title is "No Reference." the designer is the award winning (H+F Award) Christophe Coppens. The show closes 18th January and moves on to Paris. Save your self the trip and see it now. Oh, yeah, forgot to mention the first prize H+F Award put 20,000 euros into Coppens back pocket. Kijk op de website *** Saturday: Another artist who has been around since the beginning is Dick Cassee now showing at Gallery nine (Keizersgracht 552). He, too, has something in common with Piet Stockman and that is his style has changed very little over the years, but he is not doing what he did 30 or even 15 years ago. What is the same is his minimal approach to form and his constand reinvention of the abstract. In this show that's what you get: Abstract rectangular impressions. The technique is lino cuts (print making). Some hint at being landscapes; others look like an oulined design for a stain glass window. The paper looked handmade which would account for the richness of the imagery. The edition vary from four to seven and are priced @ 560 euro. Also, on display, is a series of aquarelles that resemble being a wood of trees seen abstractly. Very nice! (5x20 cms., @ 590 euros. Until 21st December. Kijk op de website *** A group show is at The Living Room and it is a good one. A little of everything; from the abstract to the representational with a little of everything in between. Until 20th December. Kijk op de website *** ...and through the door (Lijnbaansgracht 314) and into VOUS ETES ICI (3D wishes he could pronounce the gallery's name, but it is a real tongue twister for him...but, I digress). This show could not be more approbriate for the season athat seems to have got under way since last weekend. That is, Scarlett Hooft Graafland's "Igloolik Series" should read "Bring on the ice and snow!" She went to the Artic, twice. Each time for a two month say. Once in the spring and the other time in the Autumn. She wanted to experience the extremes while they were still bearable. She photographs the "environment" or what there is of it. Ice and snow and more ice and snow. But there are sometimes people included and the "lemonade" colored igloo (a shade of orange and red) is especially a nice "artistic" expression. She also adds typography, to the photos, by spelling out words and sentences with rope: "Let's get divorced." is one. 3D notes from the invite that a book is available titled "Discovery." I missed it, therefore no comments. (C-print on di-bond; ed. 6; 100x125 cms., @ 5,000 euros; 120x150 cms., @ 5,800 euros) Until 20th December. Kijk op de website *** ...and through another door...afterall, this is The Lijnbaansgracht Group where the art shopping is too too convenient...and into LUMEN TRAVO and an exhibition for Monali Meher an Indian lady living in Amsterdam. She is a "cover-up specialists." Hey, 3D is being cute, but there is some truth in what he says. Meher takes banal objects like tea strainers and red yarn (always , red) and wraps the object with the yarn in geometric designs. A series of 12 tea strainers is "embrodered" with a different abstract design for each. The series was exectued in Karachi Pakistan, "The red being both a colour of life and death, joy and violence." (Wrapped object, red wool @ 1,500 euros; "Wrapped Bed Skeleton," wrapped object, red wool @ 7,500 euros; photograph, C-print, Ed. 5; 75x55 cms., @ 1,250 euros.) Until 20th December. Kijk op de website *** ...and through two doors to the Peter de Graff is show of his new work at vanwijngaardenhakkens. He takes photos and embellishes them with imagery and applies a sealant and the finalized illusion is mysterious. these almost colorless paintings look as if the form was created with a cliche. But he then paints over it either figuratively or expressionistically. the final effect is attractively haunting. (120x190 cms., @ 4,800; 170x205 cms., @ 6,500 euros.) Until 20th December. www.ooops, they don't list a web-site on the invite only their e-mail address. *** De Service Garage (Stephesonstraat ____) celebrated their first anniversary with a fine exhibition, but NO cake was served. so they sasved the frosting for the work on display. And they made 3D live easier by NOT putting any name tags next to the work. 3D talked with someone after her had made his notes and complained about it. I was told that there was a "map" on the floor next to a column she said pointing to an area near the beginning to the show. She then said, "But, it's not very good." She pointed to two painting that were especially nice; each of a slice of birthcake (No, you couldn't eat it) and said the she and her friend were interested in them but could not find them on the "map." nor did the "map" list any prices. Not to mention e-mail address nor web-site. Hey, if they have a second anniversary maybe these anomalies will be rectified. But, I digress...Anyway, bless them for the group show and the fact that I don't have to talk about an individual artist. Only the WORK. Lots of good things to see. Some spectacular. There is an installation that consist of the following: A stairway that is in a "U" shape. The first leg of the "U" ends at a landing which overlooks---sorta---an atelier space. 3D says "sorta" because there are two very large black painted sheet of wood partially obscuring the view. Cool piece...On the wall of the staircase are the two colorful painting of strawberry tarts (yum-yum) and each topped with a big luscious strawberry. Both are reminiscent of the Californian hyper-realist Pop School artist Wayne T_______, but impressionistic. A rather monumental work is the six by two meter long and wide Royal Blue felt "rug" that stretches across the floor and climbs the wall. Simple, but dramatic....Next to that there are two color photographs of flowers. But the color contrast is very special, as well as, the colors themselves....A six by two meter "tent" that looks like a submarine has another relationship to the nautical in that it has ben fabricated using material that looks like beach mats---with the ribs---that you blow up. Many have been joined together, or so it seems. Super! But it was loosing "steam." It appear to be slowly deflating as 3D stood there and stared at it. There was an unusualy mixed media piece about 70x90 cms., which consisted of two passe-partouts layered partially over the other. Each one had a black wash. The top one had 11 cut-out rectangles with the white cut lines in sharp contrast. Two of the rectangles became "frames" for three oyster shells each with the inside facing out. It works! The piece is subtle and assertive at the same time....the person who does the 95% plus black paintings is black aagain, sorry 3D means "back" again with a very big canvas...And on the wall opposite is a large abstract/graffiti/expressionist canvas with conflicting and demonstrative colors....There is a Rube Gold_____ like object on display. It stands nearly two meters high. A staff is connected to a machine that acts like that that shakes paint in a paint store. An arm is attached to the staff. The arm holds a small chain saw. When you turn on the machine both go into action. the chain saw takes on an illusion of being an attacking pit bull. 3D was hypnotized....I missed it coming in, but it got my attention as I was leaving. What looked like a automobile tire wheel was suspending from the ceiling about 10+ meters from the floor at the downstairs entrance. Attached to it was a link chain which was in a loop and hung about five meters or more from the wheel. As the wheel turned the chain spun. It was actually the sound athat got your attention. And what you heard was something like the ocean surf beating against the rocks on the coast of Brittany. *** At Galerie Utrecht (Prinsengracht 572) Eddy Stevens hangs his oil paitings which, at first, appear to be in the hyper-realist style. But once you get your nose up to the work you see that much of his stroke work owe more to the impressionist. For the most part, all the paintings are nudes, both male and female and a few portraits thrown in for good measure. And, in nearly every work, there is water in some form: a lake, puddle or drops on the skin of a person. he achieves the nuance of the water illusion exce[ptionally well. His hand work (painting hand, that is) is also very good.for most artist, if not all, this is the most difficult feature of the human anatomy to reproduce. (22x35 cms., oil on copper, @ 2,200 euro; 70x50 cms., oil on canvas @ 4,350 euros; 150x200 cms., @ 10,000 euro.) A 100 page catalog is available @ 25 euros in Dutch, English and French. Wim van der Kant cast bronze images in a tradtional style but what sets the work apart from the trite is the poses and positions of the figures. A young male nude is balancing himself on the hands of another male nude. The piece, "Libramentum," stands about 150 cms., high in an edition of three (twio have been sold) and is offered at 27,000 euro. (Footnote: One of the edition was stolen from the gallery. The thieves ransom it back for 2,000 euro.) The bronzes are in edition ranging from three to eight. A small one at 35 cms., high is @ 3,400. *** Galerie Bel-Etage (Prisengracht 1097) is one of those secretive galleries. not too many years ago, it announced its openings in various publications. Now, they don't even mention the date, not to mention the time, on their web-site. so, 3D must put some effort into discovering when the exhibition will kick-off. the only reason he does so, is that generally speaking, they show very good work. Where before the place was crowded, there were less than ten people in attendance last Sunday. The artist, Siet Zuyderland does abstract/linear/symbolic/representations of nothings. But they are very pleasing. The style is both busy and subtle at the same time. 3D can't put him into anyone category. Maybe I could compare his work to that of Miro or Ernst, but, again, only because of his use of symbols and composition which are sometimes simply chaotic. There are grids which give it its linear qualities. But one piece (#5) was like a ballet of seveal participants (25x25 cms., @ 2,900). The colors are grays and shades of gray; red, yellow and blue are for the most part ignored. 3D was told that he had an exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum during the 70s as well as several venues around Europe; and one of his influences was Coney Island in New York City. Four red dots at opening. (15x18 cms., on cardboard @ 850 euros; 50x60 cms., @ 2,400 to 2,900 euros. Until ? (3D couldn't find an invite). Kijk op de website ***  Back |