Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #89

Amsterdam began the art market season with light at the end of the tunnel. There were many red dots: SOLD WORK! However, it does not seem to have perpetuated itself. But, on the bright side, anecdotal reports from artist and galleries that showed at the Rotterdam Art Fair and This Art Fair were positive. At Rotterdam, some galleries sold out. 

INDEX: 

BITS & PIECES:

MUSEUM REVIEW:    Huis Marseille, Dana Lixenberg & Martin Roemers

                                     Amsterdam Archieve: Van Gogh's 400 days in Amsterdam

                                     Eye Film Museum: Close-Up

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE GALLERIES:
 

BITS & PIECES:

Sex in America: In the state of South Carolina, a law maker is proposing a bill/law that would make getting Viagra as hard as obtaining an abortion. Go figure! 
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"The Jewish year is 5776. The Chinese year is 4719. This means that Jews had to exist 1012 years without Chinese food, a time known as the dark ages." Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance. 
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"Stolen Dutch art shows up in the Ukraine...but getting it back is a problem." Article by Nina Segal, 15th. December 2015 www.inyt.com 
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From my FACEBOOK page: "Four out of three people struggle with math." Yeah, someone got that right!
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In America, it is the primary season with politicians screaming "I am the one!" Lots is being said with little truth behind the words. Hubert Humphrey, the Democrat candidate against Nixon, 1968, said it all: "To err is human. Blaming it on other people is politics!" 
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According to that great wit, Groucho Marx: "Anyone who says he can see through women is missing  a lot!" 
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This sounds like a fun night..."Vegas in Space is a classic cult Si-Fi film" directed by Phillip R. Ford,(1991, USA), which is also a comedy. 3D mentions this because generally speaking ALL cult Si-Fi films are comedy's even when they are NOT meant to be a comedy...Sometimes you gotta miss the 50s Si-Fi genre versions. And the plot? Well, it is rather relevant to today: "The captain and his men become women via a sex reversal pill and poise as showgirls from earth performing a mid-twentieth century lounge act..."  At Mezral (Veemkade 576). Thursday, 10th March   https://bit.ly/2xZKivS

MUSEUM REVIEWS: 

Huis Marseille: 

Dana Lixenberg documents the citizens of Watts, a notorious section of Los Angles which has been rocked with two major riots over the last 50 years. But life goes on! The people are all black which defines the Watts ghetto. You will see the young and the old; handicapped, pregnant and with child in arms. You will also see, in these revealing photographs, pride! Nearly all the work are portraits. In the basement of the museum there is a video projected onto three screens which chronicles life in Imperial Court neighborhood with the sounds of helicopters and heavy highway traffic as a soundtrack.

Martin Roemers has traveled to 22 mega cities---defined as having 10 million population or more---around the world, since 2007. Each have their own character and style of coexisting. He shoots from above as sort of an overview. These analog photographs seek to define "the human condition in the modern city." Street scenes, slums, markets, busy streets, intersections, et al. An added feature is that he incorporates a time lapse. We see some of the people as a blur, cars that seem to streak past us forming an endless line of red from their taillights. A market scene in India, with all the colors of tables laden with spices, looks like Dervish dancers performing. 

Keizersgracht 407 

Until 6th March. www.huismarseille.nl 
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Amsterdam Archives: Vincent van Gogh, 400 Days in Amsterdam

Vincent van Gogh visited Amsterdam in 1877 for 400 days. The present show at the Amsterdam Achieves tells us what he saw, but not through his art but through his words. He writes to his brother, Theo, "It's a beautiful city here." The exhibition takes us on his tour, of the city, with visual works to illustrate it from work of leading contemporary artists like: Jacob and Matthijs Maris, Josef Israels, Cornelis Springer. Also there are works by later artists like Piet Mondrian and Jan Sluyters. Foreign artists are also included: Gustave Dore and Whistler.

During this period, he was a theological student studying to be a Christian' pastor. While he would not begin to consider art as a career until 1880, he was already making drawings and small paintings. Two of the latter are on view. A book is available in Dutch with more quotes from his letters.

Until 17th April 

Amsterdam Archieven, Vijzelstraat 32.

www.amsterdam.nl/stadsarchief
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EYE Film Museum (Ijpromenade 1)

Close-Up:

This isn't an exhibition for all film lovers. It features Dutch film and video art by 14 young new generation creators that are "demonstrating that the barriers between film, video and visual artist are no longer of much relevance." These young creators are united by the "natural way they incorporate film and video in their work---whether it be a video on a single screen, on multiple screens, or as part of a large-scale spatial installation." 

Until 22nd May. www.eyefilm.nl/close-up 

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE GALLERIES:

The KochxBos gallerist, Esther Koch and Hans Bos, (1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 36)  celebrated their 10th anniversary, in December, with a selection from 25 artists who have participated in the 64 shows to date. Ray Ceasar, who presented the inaugural show, has since gone on to international recognition and he has hung three works. Ciou, first showed seven years ago and has had nearly that many exhibition since, also showed what has made her standout in todays' art world. The provocative Sarah Maples was also represented. Harma Heikne who creates unusual figurative sculpture/objects shows one of his iconic works. Zoé Byland does "portrait" painting in a retro-style reminiscent of 19th century photographs. And the Sauerkids, a duo, that comes up with some of the weirdest ways to express themselves did it again. The gallery published a multi-page tabloid which reviewed the years and included a photo montage of hundreds of photos chronicling nearly all of their openings. Stop by anytime for a copy or see it online at their website. Until 23rd.Febrary. http://www.kochxbos.nl/
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At the new jewelry gallery, Galerie RA (Nes 120), is the work of Manon van Kouswijk (NL) whose material of choice is ceramic. She shapes the pieces that form the links into simple forms and shapes, but each link is a unique form. Some look like bone fragments and others like strips of nougat candy  twisted into shape. Then there is the color element. Each link is basically monochromatic but with indirect colors. You see the color along the edge of each link. Subtle! The results are simple, but elegant. Until 19th March. www.galerie-ra.nl 
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At Stigter van Doesburg (Elandsstraat 90) Lucas Lenglet (NL)  has a solo show with a variety of conceptual pieces that make use of several techniques to express his artistic view. There are four works which are typographical in essence and reflect conceptual redundancy in form. Line upon line of newsprint is uninterrupted and all in b/w. A wall of 88 horseshoes presents a rather simple linear geometric abstraction. On another wall, "12 books with photos of ethnographical portraits as one piece. Faces from Ocenia, Indo China and South America." (90x22.5x90 cms., steel, soldered brass, bronze, bells @ 3,750 euro; 215x107x6 cms., books, wood frame, perspex, screws @ 7,000 euro; 211x96 (each, triptych) steel ,glass, painted wood @ 12,000 complete.) Until 12th March. https://bit.ly/2LcyITk 
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Henk Stallinga lights up Hofland Gallery (Bilderdijkstraat 165)  with a conceptual minimalistic light extravaganza. It is light and form as the focus. He hangs circles of light, intertwined, before a canvas. In one work, there are 13 lights hanging. If you watch closely, you will see a small variation in the light's intensity. The press release says, "The subtle brightening and dimming creates a association with the rhythm of our breathing." Organic? An installation is a perfect example of the complexity of minimalism. A sofa---the wooden form is raw, unpainted and exposed. No patterned fabric covers it. This is complemented with a canvas stretcher turned to its backside. And the slats that form the framed piece are sectioned much like a Mondrian work. (135x90x30 cms.,mixed media, light tubes, steel,canvas, electronics, dmx, Ed. 5 @ 17,500 euro)  Unil 5th March. www.gerhardhofland.com 
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Pieter Engels is alive and well at the age of77 and is showing early work at M. van Zomeren Gallery (Hazenstraat 20). The retrospective is centered on the years 1963-1969. There are paper works which are minimalistic and conceptual geometric abstractions. Subtle technique, and quiet imagery. Also included are standing forms---some are wall hangings---that, again, they are simple in  form and almost monochromatic white execpt for the black stripes along the side edges. You will be looking at work that is 50+ years old and can still be considered avant garde today. Until 12th March. www.gmvz.com 
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RUTGER BRANDT GALLERY (Bethaniënstraat 39) is showing the photographic work of Rune Guneriussen who shoots in plein aire. 3D makes that distinction because his concern is really not about nature nor the landscape. In several photos he sets up lighting from old lamps to modern desk lamps with all poised in a conceptual redundant manner. In other photos, there are hundreds of books that circle the trunks of trees and meanders through them. (70x122 cms., C-print, aluminium/ laminated, Ed 5 @ 4,800 euro; 150x200 cms., C-print, Ed 5 @ 9,800 euro)  Until 5th March. www.brandtgallery.com 
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Galerie Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140) presents four artists of which three are working together. The press release says, "For this exhibition, Sam Samiee (Iran) created an impressive, painterly installation, that, through a playful ornamentation, incorporates works by Taus Makhacheva (RU) and Kareem Lotfy (Egypt)." Of course, this comes across as a multi-cultural expression. They have combined to make several installations which are both wall and floor, colorful, busy, unusual and certainly unique. (N.B. Each artist's work is available for sale individually.)

In the PlayStation section, Francesca Burattelli (IT) makes forms from concrete and wire, "The concrete reveals imprints of bodily fragments; knees pressed into the cast; feet in an entangled movement or placed straight." However, the body is missing. The work is basically conceptual with minimal forms from concrete and metal. Until 12th March. www.fonswelters.nl 
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FONTANA Gallery (Lauriergracht 11) does something different! Alain Decelercq (FR) goes beyond photography. But that's okay because it is an interesting emulation of a photograph. 3D is referring to one particular style and technique in this exhibit. He has created "portraits" on a composite board. His "implement" isn't a brush, knife or auger, but a .22 caliber bullet shot from a rifle. There is also a series of "camera obscura" which shows images of New York. And don't miss the three photos featuring balls of fire. There is something dramatic to them!  Explosive! (Blown glass @ 900 euro; 50x50 cms., color print from negative, C-print, Ed 5 @ 3,800 euro; 150x150 cms., .22 caliber rifle shots on wood panel @ 15,000 euro). Until 9th April. www.fontanagallery.com 
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At De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) is the terracotta work by Setsuko Nagasawa (Jap). She is a minimalist and creates simple forms from terracotta. The forms are based on the figuration of a ball or a "three sided pyramid shaped ball."  The color  is a charcoal white/gray. Two works rest on a platform of wood with gold or silver leaf embellishment. At the entrance, there is an installation with three ceramic pieces and one black balloon. She also hangs works done with Japanese paper which has been balled and crushed, then partially flattened. She embellishes the forms with diluted black ink. (A4, Japanese paper with ink @ 550 euro; 35x35x15 cms., terracotta @ 2,2000 euro; 50x50x24 cms., terracotta @ 3,800 euro; Installation @ 9,000 euro) Until 3rd April. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl 

The following is the review  for the previous exhibition which closed 20th February....

Tilmann Meyer-Faje is at De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135)  with ceramics from an architectural point of view. On entering the space, you will see a building-like structure that could be part of an apartment block in a bombed-out city in the Middle East. Artistically, it is both cubic and linear. The artist takes his themes further with geometric/abstract forms.. One looks something like a cubist horse. Don't miss the video which chronicles the construction and deconstruction of a structure. In addition, there is a floor/wall installation made from wooden sticks. (1,000 to 1,700 to 2,700 to 15,000 euro). Until 20th February. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl 
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LUMEN TRAVO (Lijnbaansgracht 314) shows the bone work of Kristiina Koskentola. A good title for the exhibit might have been "These old bones ain't what they use to be!" The bones are hanging form the ceiling or in a small red-nested pile. There is also a series of five b/w photos which features sheep where the sheep go blindly. The sheep theme is continued with a video of, well, sheep. (Cube of bone powder, Ed 10 @ 750 euro; Sculptured installation fiberglass paint of animal bone powder silk thread @ 2,500 euro)  Until __?__. www.lumentravo.nl 
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...And it is a hop-skip-jump to AKINCI (Lijnbaansgracht 318) with two artists showing. Anne Wenzel (DE) is a ceramic maker with a style that is both intricate and mesmerizing. She fashions elaborate floral displays with intricate designs that flow like a living plant. (89x56x33, ceramic @ 9,000 euro; 120x90x80 cm.s, ceramic @ 16,000 euro; 174x123x123 cms., ceramic @ 29,000 euro)....Joining her is Charlotte Schleffert (NL) who returns to the gallery...and what a nice return visit it is! And there is more color in her work than there was in the past. The style is a mix of Pop School with touches of kitsch plus symbolism. The composition also has collage parts. Put it all together and you have work that makes the eye jump from one section to another like a nervous grasshopper. Iconic to be sure! (60x80 cms., mix media on canvas @ 4,000 euro; 173x145 cms., mixed media on canvas @ 8,500 euro; 306x150 cms., mix media on canvas @ 14,000 euro)  Until 5th March. www.akinci.nl 
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UPSTREAM GALLERY (N.B. new location: Kloveniersburgwal 95) has a group show for six artists. It is overall visually exciting. A couple of works by Constant Dullart are visually evasive. The technique is a "lenticular print". It sort of looks like a holograph print and like that the imagery changes depending on the angle you view it at. There is video work as well. Two pieces by Jan R. Leegte are computer driven images projected onto a wall. It looks like a painter's frame without the canvas. The "frame" itself is the visual object and it is in a constant geometric/abstract transformation through the constant motion....And there is more. Until 12th March. www.upstreamgallery.nl 
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Galerie "bart" (Elandsgracht 16) presents two artists. Ton Slits has an interesting style. He does cut-outs interconnected with geometric/abstract forms with linear connections. The linear part is achieved with using thread to stitch into the paper. Afterwards, he paints over the thread and, when it is dry, he sands it down. Thus we see irregular lines. The colors are shades of green. In the gallery's backspace, he hangs large painted works with a basic geometric/abstract design. The colors are subdued. (30.5x24 cms., mixed media on paper @ 1,350 euro; 160x200 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 9,500 euro)....Aldwin van de Ven hangs paintings and displays objects. Some of the paintings appear to be naïve portraits. Other works are abstractions. The objects follow no specific theme: A plaster head; a rectangular floor piece; and an abstract wall hanging. (40x30 cms., oil & house paint on panel @ 1,200 euro; 120x160 cms., oil & house paint on canvass @ 4,150 euro; 180x250 cms., oil & house paint on canvas @ 6,400 euro). Until 26th March. www.galeriebart.nl 
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Ten Haaf Projects (N.B. Geldersekade 30) is showing five artists, Chris Catme (Ger), Andrew Gilbert (Scotland), Harry Kim (Korea), Mari Stoel (NL), and Sebastian Weggler (Ger), in an exhibition with the theme "Be My Valentine." Hmmmm. Well, okay, but 3D misses the connections in nearly all the work. There are two paintings which picture springtime imagery with impressionistic technique; and two color drawings seem more anti-Valentine day with their grotesque illustrations of a severed head and lots of blood. A series of portraits which reflect Andy Warhol's silkscreens are funny and with good colors. Three ceramic wall hangings depict a rainbow, a lighthouse, and a cloud with a bolt of lightning projecting from it. Then, at the entrance, there is a display of "cakes and pastries" made from who knows what, but looking good enough to eat. The treats pay homage to Wayne Thiebaud's silkcreens of the 60s. But back to the theme, who cares if you can't see the "theme" since the work is good with various styles and techniques on display. (Sorry, no price list nor name tags). Until 6th March. www.tenhaafprojects.com 
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Galerie Ron Mandos (Prinsengracht 282)  presents a duo show. In the front gallery is the work of Silvia B. (NL) back once again; and with an outstanding presentation. It is completely different in many ways from her previous exhibitions. Several pieces have as their focal point the female torso shaped with a dress-making form. Each features a pre-pubescent girl. Some are flanked with rats or rats on her head. Some have their hands bound. Some hang like gymnast from rings. There is a vitrine with seven rats bound together by their tails. Don't miss the three faces hanging on the wall which are reminiscent of "monkey see no evil, monkey say no evil, and monkey hears no evil. And there is more; and everything different from the next. (40x40 cms., C-print, Plexiglas, dibond @ 1,450 euro; 27x17x18 cms., mixed media @ 3,000 euro; 190x92x52 cms., mixed media @ 15,000 euro).

In the backspace, of the gallery, is a presentation for Mohau Modisakeng (S. Africa) with his first solo show in the Netherlands. His photographic work is an enigma. All is b/w and figurative. But that says very little. The PR release says "his practice is highly influenced by his own cultural heritage." He grew up as a black man in Post-Apartheid South Africa. His interest tends to be "reframing history and post colonial theories." While we see photos it should be noted that his artistic background is as a sculptor which explains his attraction of the human form which is the focus of his photography. A three person performance highlighted the opening. It was in b/w---the actors being black---and provocative in its simulated violence with two of the players flaying machettes. (Single channel HD video, 4 minutes, Ed 10 @ 4,500 euro; 112.5x150.2 cms., ijnkjet print on Epsom Ultra Smooth, Ed 6 @ 7,200 euro). Until 2nd April www.ronmandos.nl 

N.B. On Friday, 18th March, the House of Makers (Clotilde Tran, Het Nationale Ballet) will give an improvised dance performance which will meander through the gallery' space. It starts at 19:00. At 19:30, Silvia B will deliver an artists talk. RSVP is necessary.

The following is the review for the previous exhibition at the same gallery....

Ivan Grubanov (Serbia)  is at Galerie Ron Mandos (Prinsengracht 282)  with his abstract expressionistic work. Nearly every piece hanging is on the edge of being monochromatic. But, not quite. In fact, the "imagery" resembles a topographic photographic map taken from 10,000+ meters high. Perhaps that is where the mysterious element comes in. Each work has a title that has been embroidered on to the canvas. Also, heavy duty sacks (200x70 cms.) reflect the Indonesian tie-dye technique. Grubanov represented Serbia at the 56th Venice Biennial. (73x63 cms., oil, smoke, gasoline and image transfer on canvas @ 8,500 euro; 388x490 cms., installation of flags, letters, glycerin, bleach, acrylic, oil, smoke, petrol & Styrofoam @ 20,000 euro---what? he left out the kitchen sink?)  Until 20th February. www.ronmandos.nl 
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Gerda Bierenbroodspot is back once again at the Morren Galleries (Prinsengracht 572) with an extensive overview of her latest work. And its diversity of styles and techniques is impressive. At heart, she is an archaeologist with anthropology influences. In her youth, she disguised herself as a man and spent nearly a year with a Bedouin Tribe in transversing North Africa. But she was also heavily influenced by the Greeks. 

Large terracotta vases she has not only skillfully reproduced, but updated in their imagery. Sculptured horse heads, marble human torsos and an over sized Greek style marble heads reflect the northern part of the Mediterranean area. Her paintings are both realistic but with geometric/abstract overtones. You will see lithos---a series that pays homage to her uncle, the Dutch artist, Leo Gestel---and rubbings. Don't miss the vitrine which displays hundreds of table place settings for breakfast and dinner servings. Again, they reflect the classical Greek style. Truly a show with something for everyone. (50x70 cms., tempera & gold leaf @ 8,500 euro; 30 cms., high bronze # 3,000 euro; 100x100 cms., tempera & gold leaf @ 34,000 euro)  Until 11th March. www.morrengalleries.nl 
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Rento Brattinga Galerie (Lauriergracht 80) is showing the work of two artist. Armando hangs work from the 90s and current pieces. You will see his pencil work, lithos and w/c. The pencil drawings are excellent examples of his minimalism. The w/c are monochromatic expressionistic. (63x76 cms., @ 700 euro; 40x30 cms., pencil on paper @ 3,975 euro; 57x39 cms., w/c @ 4,150 euro)....Ko Arts shows acrylic paintings which, while realistic, are more accurately described as geometric/abstractions  with a conceptual redundancy factor. The colors are blue, grays and black. He also hangs lithos. (57x76 cms., litho @ 350 euro; 60x50 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 2,000 euro; 100x120 cms., acrylic plus chalk @ 4,400 euro)  Until 13th February. Oops. you missed it! www.rentobrattinga.com 
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Bright Side Gallery (neé: WALLS, Prinsengracht 737) has changed their name as it has changed its concept. It originally opened in 2000 and offered wall space to rent by young artists. A few years ago it morphed into a traditional gallery. It has now changed its name to reflect that transition. 

The inaugural opening is a group show. The artists are form the gallery's current stable. Jen Mann (Canada)  does large scale portraits that focus not so much on the imagery but color and abstraction. She paints only women....Anke Feuchtenberger (Ger) paints with acrylic and then draws with charcoal in the same composition. It is a b/w world where you "wander through strange, dream-like, landscapes...[with] influences of comedy, poster art and feminism."....Ilse Vermeulen (NL) is an artist using various techniques ranging from the two-dimensional to sculptures in bronze and aluminium. And that tells you absolutely nothing. Two photos of her sculpture work look like bizarre action toys. One piece, Pinocchio, an all black sculpture work, stands 30 cms.,high and is dressed in fabric. Nice!....Wouter Nijlard (NL) is a black on black monochromatic artist. While his paintings are really, really black they do show form with its texture which gives it imagery. You gotta see it!....Synchrodogs (Ukraine) is a duo (Tania Shcheglova and Roman Noven) who team up both with their art and personally. They also have worked in the fashion industry. The three pieces, on display, reflect that....Sander Dekker, one of the gallerist, shows a selection of his iconic photographs. They tend to be unpredictable in both imagery and nuance. Until 31st March. https://bit.ly/2P2mI9c 
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Eduard Planting Gallery (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2)  presents "Marilyn Monroe: The Woman Who Made Love to the Camera", photos by Douglas Kirkland and Milton Green. Will we ever tire of looking at the image of Marilyn Monroe? She has gone beyond being a mere icon to something close to being a Greek goddess. Not only was she exceedingly attractive, but photogenic to the nth degree. This exhibition features the work of two photographers; and each made a series of photographs. There isn't any "cheesecake-like" photos, but even without the nudity there are erotic overtones. Both photographers are exceptional  in their technique as well as their unusual poises. In essence, in this show, you see several "faces" of Marilyn and each is unique. The photos date from  1954 to 1961, the year of her death. (56x43 cms., papiermaat @ 2,l950 euro; 76x61 cms., papiermaat @5,500 euro: each is in an edition of 20 to 55) Until 5th March www.eduardplanting.com 
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There is more photography at TORCH and it pays homage to John Malkovich, the actor. And, WOW! what a"great" performance" by the man. Sandro Miller (USA), the photographer, has known the actor for 30 years. Miller's technique is flawless! The present show took  six days, each 14 hours long, over 18 months. One the the great film actors of the first half of the 20th century was Lon Cheney, known as a "man with a thousand faces." Milkovich pays homage to him by appearing in these photographs as Ché, Hemingway, Lennon, Einstein, Picasso, et al. It is hard to believe that every photo is of the same person. One outstanding photo  shows him as Christ on the cross; and in a few he is a woman; a couple parody Andy Warhol's silkscreen series. Want more? How about a homage to Bruce Stern, the photographer famous for his Marilyn Monre photos, with Malkovich as MM. Kid you not! Then, there is the depression era woman holding a baby that is reminiscent of an iconic Walker Evans photograph. A video focuses on Malkovich's make-up being applied to arranging the scene. (38x38 cms., pigment print, Ed. 35 @ 3,500 euro; 112x86 cms., pigment print, Ed. 10 @ 9,100 euro. Until Aptil 9th www.torchgallery.com 

The following is a review of the previous show which closed on the 20th February. 

TORCH (Lauriergracht 94) hangs the work of Ellen Kooi. She captures the placid county side with landscape-like photos, but that is only the background. Basically this is "portrait" work and more often than not with a young girl as the subject. A few pieces have a Pre-Raphalite feel. (Each photo is available in two sizes: 79x119 cms., Fuji Crystal Archieve, Ed. 6 @ 4,500 euro; 100x150 cms., Fuji Archive, Ed. 7 @ 6,600 euro)  Until 20th February. www.torchgallery.com 
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KYAS Art Salon (Keizersgracht 221) shows Janneke Viegers who is an expressionistic painter that adds to the mix with a collage element. The collage parts are tanned cow hides which have natural texture---the hair---depth, and luminosity. She then goes a step further and adds dabs of paint to the hide. The work is nearly monumental in its size; one measures 200x230 cms. Her work is rather dark, but one large canvas is pure paint with underplayed colors to the point of being subtly discreet. Also, on view, are smaller works where the use of cow hide is minimal. (29x61 cms., mixed media @ 1,800 euro; 200x200 cms., mixed media @ 19,000 euro; 200x300 cms., mixed media @ 20,000 euro) 
Until 19th March. www.kyasartsalon.com 
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Jan Knap is back at A. Ornis Gallery (Hazenstraat 11) with his iconic paintings. Basically, his style is an update and contemporary interpretation of the 15th century Flemish School. The imagery features cherub-like children, some surrounding a woman (the Virgin Mary?)  holding a baby. The technique is a simple flat painting style. Any of the works could be used an illustrations for  a Christian children's books. (40x60 cms., ink on paper @ 3,500 euro; 60x80 cms., oil on canvas @ 14,000 euro) Until 12th March. www.ornisgallery.com 
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Two artists show at ArtACasa (Kerkstraat 411). Annette van Waaijen has an unusual technique. Basically, most of her works are collages fashioned around a photograph. She then adds figures. And there is another element in that she covers it all with a resin and, finally, adds fabric to the composition. A painting of a young girl stands out. It is in shades of gray with a poingant tenderness. (495 to 1,495 euro)...Daisy Kimman makes what could be described as small bird-like houses that measure around 3x5 cms. Some have  collage features in which she embellishes with different materials. (50, 75 to 350 euro)  Until ___?___  http://www.artacasa.nl/
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Galerie Rob Koudijs (Elandsgracht 12)  has two new jewelry artists on display. Bram Wouters (NL) fabricates necklaces from what look like small flashbulbs---the old type. Indeed, he has taken bicycles lights and also fashion them into a necklace. Next he inserts LED lights and each bulb illuminates in rotation. The clasp is where the energy sources comes from and the battery is good for up to nine hours. He uses from 100 to 120 bulbs. Innovative and cool! Also there are brooches using the same technique. (1,750 to 3,000 euro)....Tobias Alon (Sweden) purchases from eBay objects made by Craftsman, a company that specializes in making hand tools. But he is only concerned with their early work, some items are 100 years old or more. And all are made of leather. What he does is embellish the pieces with gilded silver which gives it its jewelry credentials. Simple material with an elegance of time gone by. (2,700 to 4,500 euro)  www.galerierobkoudijs.nl 
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Two artist show at Galerie Roger Katwijk (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198). Navine G. Khan-Dossos (UK) paints with gouache on panel. The style is an unique form of the geometric/abstract. Her compositions are small in size---40x50 cms.---but busy in imagery. However, while the geometric/abstract can sometimes be a bore, she innovates the style in creative and subtle ways. Interestingly enough, some of the abstractions are in very subtle shades of gray. (110x50 cms., gouache on panel @ 1,800 euro)....Niek Hendrix (NL) is both realistic and figurative. His themes are both classical and feature aspects and symbols of astrology. He tends to favor gray as his color of choice. Also, he hangs two small wall hangings that are categorized as installations. (50.5x38 cms., oil & pencil on panel @ 2,200 euro; 160x120 cms., diptych, oil & pencil on panel @ 12,000 euro). Until 26th March. www.galerierogerkatwijk.nl 
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Paolo Ventura (It) does unusual photography and can be seen at Flatland Gallery (Lijnbaansgracht 314). You will see Paris covered in a fine mist; it is a vague and mysterious image of the city. His photos feature a poised figure which seems to give it all its meaning. Another poised series shows a man and boy with a big red balloon and a duck. It is poignant and fun. Another work is very difficult to describe. It consists of 30 rectangles---each one a different shade of color---with an architectural/landscape. The results? A geometric abstract work. (no price list)  Until 5th March). http://www.flatlandgallery.com/ 
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RADAR Architecture & Art (Rozendsgracht 17) is participated with Urban Art & Media Organization (UAMO), Munich, to represent Amsterdam with their 10 city exhibition. Each gallery shows a different artist. There is a central theme which the artist responds to. This year it is: Fortress. At Radar, Nisja (Pol) has created a painting/collage, hung in pairs, to  reflect "a little story, a thought, an association or impression, a haiki-like expression of the concept of the fortress." Her style ranges from the almost naíve, and colorful, to geometric abstraction. A few works pay homage to Paul Klee. Her interpretations range from realistic to the conceptual. (28x28 cms., each work, with frame included, 300 euro) Until 5th March www.radar-amsterdam.com 
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MINI Galerie (Kinkerstraat 12) presents a group show featuring nine artist. Here is a quick overview. Zedz (NL) is a very colorful geometric/abstract print maker, but a few of these silkscreens also have subtle coloring....Andreas Zimmerman(Ger) makes unusual geometric photos. He creates a form from Lego building blocks. In the work hanging, you will see an avant garde version of an Escher print....Clemens Behr (Ger)  combines photography with collage and paint on Plexiglas. Much depth to this b/w-gray composition....Graphic Surgey (neé: Gysbert Zjlstra--NL--Gars Huigens--NL) hang a 3D geometrical, linear, b/w, compositon in wood. Think Piet Mondrian and his linear pantings but take away the canvas and what do you have remaining? The form! They then take it one step further by taking the linear lines and placing them at angles as well as  perpendicular. Cool! Ox (Fr) is a minimalist and makes monochromatic and polychromatic stripes in relief. There is a feel of Calder's mobiles in his forms. The monochromatic part dominates but it is mellowed with the airbrushed red and blue hues....Evol (nee: Tore Rinkveld, Ger.) began his artistic career as a street graffiti artist. He now is working with material he finds on the street like a cardboard box which he embellishes with five small drawings. The work, he says, reflects the architecture of the city....Delta (nee: Boris Tellegen, NL.)  creates cut-out construction works. They have a rough quality which relates to his studies as an industrial design engineer. The hanging piece is a monochromatic white. Nice!  Also on view is the work of Filip Dujardin and Matt McCormick. (Prices range from 400 euro to 8,000 euro)  Until 5thMarch www.minigalerie.nl 
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Galerie BMB (Kerkstraat 129)  presents a group show featuring the work of three artists. A fitting title for Babette Wagenvoort's drawings might be "There's a bird in your face!"  She hangs a series of "portraits" where the imagey is partially hidden by a bird. And you will see more birds in her larger works done in b/w. (30x21 cms., oil pastel @ 600 euro; 96x64 cms., chalk @ 1,450 euro)....Lisa van Wieringen does video portraits. There are several on display. Some have a touch of animation (550 euro and up)....Sara Vrught makes unusual wall objects that incorporate embrodiery as well as objects. A few are what you might describe as an installation. The work is a wall hanging which flows unto the floor.. (11x14 cms., @ 525; 72x150x75 cms., installation @ 1,900 euro). Until 19th March. www.galeriebmb.nl 
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Lon Godin is at Reuten Galerie (Prinsensgract 510) with light works in combination with paintings. His technique for putting paint on canvas is such that there are groove-like lines. They are in shades of gray and at times there is an illusion created that makes it seem the canvas is a curved surface. The floor-to-ceiling works are flanked with lamps whose shades reflect the paintings. Two other works are about 2.5 m high lamps where the shade has been "weaved" and covers over half the stand. They each have a rainbow of colors. Several small paintings hang and, again, it is both the colors and the technique that gets your attention. (40x30 cms., oil on linen @ 800 euro; 65x50 cms., oil on linen @ 2,000 euro; 250x75 cms., nylon, acrylic, polyester and steel @ 7,000 euro)  Until __?__ https://www.reutengalerie.com/ 
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Winter is over, if not by the calendar, because the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom, buds on trees, and several varieties of flowers are coloring the squares of Amsterdam. So, with the doldrums of the bad season nearly behind us, it is time to take to the street and visit GALLERIES! Hey, why not? Good art will get your juices running; improve your disposition; and, who knows, it may bring love into your life.

Photo: Dana Lixenberg in Huis Marseille

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