Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #91

This is that the last 3D List of the 2015-2016 Amsterdam Art Gallery program. It has not been a good year for sales. The art recession that began during 2008 is still with us. The galleries have tried hard by bringing to our attention young artists and foreign artists. From the time to time there has been successful shows---see below---but, overall, many galleries have had fewer shows over the year. Let's bring-on the 2016-2017 season and turn things around. 

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

Museum Reviews:    "foam", Helmut Newton

                                   Huis Marseille, Stephen Shore

                                   Gemeente Amsterdam Stadsarchief, Artists Draw the City

What's at the Galleries; 

N.B. Addition to this update are signified with a "+". 

BITS & PIECES:

If you have an interest in Japanese culture and/or its contemporary housing architecture, check out the exhibition at Looiersgracht 60. The space is filled with large bulliten boards. On each you will see photographs of unusual houses scattered across the country. It is divided into "Yesterday's Houses" and "Today's Houses". There is a description/liner notes on each but, unforunately, in French. However there is a catalog in both Dutch and English: "#004, archipel van de woning". https://bit.ly/2NnIWko The show is sponsored by https://bit.ly/2DTiOhx , located in Brugge Belgium. No closing date listed. 
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+ An interesting but too short exhibition at the ARTI was for the winners of a competition sponsored by KUNSTBENDE 2016. From the 24th to the 26th you could have seen 11 young artists (13 to 18 years) representing Amsterdam, Flevoland, North Holland and Utrecht. You would have been amazed at the high quality of the work on show. The first prize winner will exhibit at EYE-openers of the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. The curator was Angeliek Change. More info: ververs.gallery@gmail.com 
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Did you know that the world's longest gallery is Stockholm's subway?...Yeah, I know. Who cares?
https://bit.ly/2y9HtIR
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Laser 3.14 spotting: "I shall not feel, what I should feel." Hmmm...I sociopath's manifesto? Say it ain't so Laser....Well, he does says something spot-on at the Prinsengracht 392: "Don't Blame Trump. Blame Yourself." Yeah! And at Kerkstraat 158, "Nothing like us".  Sounds like racism to me. 
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The show-of-shows: the Gerrit Rietveld Academy's Last Exam exhibition opens on the 6th of July @ 16:00 and continues daily until the 10th of July. A don't miss the experience. The rebels, revolutionaries and anarchist of the art world will be strutting their stuff. 
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Amsterdam Art Fair is located, this year, at the Museumplein and is open from 25th to the 29th of May. A total of 45 Dutch galleries show their best. See a slide show presented by participating galleries at: www.amsterdamartfair.nl 
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Kunst RAI Art Amsteram is from the 1st of June until the 5th. The theme this year is Focus on  Berlin with six galleries from that city showing. www.kunstrai.nl
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D.A Pennebaker, the maker of "Don't Look Back", a 1966 documentary of Bob Dylan, said, "Poets are a special breed and I have no idea what generates them. It isn't the thing I always thought when I was younger, that artists were people that could draw pictures. Artists are people that live unmastered. That is, they're loyal to no one but themselves. True artists. If you do that in our modern world, that means you  don't work for anybody. That means you have a hard time making a living and paying the rent."
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Chipsy King is a patat frites joint that is directly across the street from the Munttoren [Mint/coin tower] which was built between 1480 and 1487. The french fries place has a reproduction of a 17th century of the tower. The caption reads, "You are here, 300 years later". 
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MUSEUM REVIEWS: 

At "foam" there is a retrospective exhibition for the German fashion photographer, Helmut Newton. He is greatly admired and there are some that loathe his view of women. 

His early life is important to understanding his work. Born in Berlin, 1920, he would escape Nazism at 18 and flee to Australia. However, before departing the city, he took in the nightclub' life with his older brother. This is obvious in his work where you see poses and b/w contrast closely associated with the German cabaret scene, at the time. The posing of his models, their demeanor and provocative and assertive expressions echo the cabarets' clientele of the time. 

He would return to Europe in the 50s. In 1961, he begins his career as a fashion photographer working in Paris. He introduces innovation to the "art of fashion photography" like using mirrors and seeing a mirror image as an illusion. And the mirror also represents vanity. 

In the main gallery, there are several nude photos that are life-sized. In a dip-tych, he creates a "double illusion" by posing the same four models dressed and nude; also they are in the same pose and bear the same facial expressions. At the press preview, one of the models pictured, Sylvia, said that his point was to show that "We are not here to seduce men, but to show our power". And you will see that his models were a certain type of woman: "Sensual, elegant and mysterious." And his studio sets were as elaborate as any film set. He also had the best people working for him: make-up, hairstylist, dressers, technicians and models. 

There are dark sides to his work and they tell stories. He sees himself as a voyeur and as an exhibitionist and as someone trying to reveal themselves through their work. He plays with gender and emphasizes the androgynous aspects of man/woman. 

After a severe heart attack, 1971, he finds his "true personal style" and decides to no longer make any compromises; he now fights against the social norms of the day. 

During the 70s, and with the photos he shot for the French VOGUE, he breaks with the studio and goes on the street or interesting interiors that make for more striking compositions. And the "work now reflects an era of female emancipation and their sexual liberation." 

In the 80s, he spends more time with "real people". Well, almost real. He begins to do portraits and they range from Andy Warhol to David Bowie with a number of other celebrities, of the period, featured in-between.

Don't miss,  Helmut by June (53m). A film made by his wife in 1995. Check for starting times at the entrance desk or see it on YouTube. 

There are over 200 works in this major retrospective and several styles. And you will be surprised by two grotesque photos, of a decomposing human body, with a body mass that looks like it came from a 50s B-movie horror flic, "Victims of the Prince of Sansevero, Naples". 

Also showing are three young photograpers that attribute Helmut Newton with their development: Carlijn Jacobs, Elizaveta Porodina, and Philippe Vogelenzang. 

Until 4th September. 

Keizersgract 609, www.foam.org

At Huis Marseille is the photographs of Stephen Shore (USA). He photographs virtually everything and anything! Really! Growling dogs, TVs with rabbit ears, neighborhoods, buxom ladies, a pancake breakfast, and even the banal toilet. As to his technical abilities the color work is sharp and almost crisp. A liner note said he was "one of the most inspirational photographers of the last decades." 

The only negative note is that of the nearly 300 photos  the overwhelming majority have no place identification. This would been of interest since the photos were sort of a "see America" project he began in 1971. This is a major retrospective show and occupies all 12 of the museum's galleries. 

Until 4th September. 

Keizersgracht 401, www.huismarseille.nl 

"Stadstekenaars van Amsterdam" (Amsterdam city' artists) is at the Stadsarchief. There are 15 artists who express their view---and often a very personal view---of the city of Amsterdam. It is an unusual show for the Stadsarchief in that it focuses on the contemporary and not works from their extensive archieve. 

Claire Harvey (UK) is the only non-Dutch person in the show. She works exclusively in b/w and is hanging Polaroids but, well, the contrast and imagery isn't quite what you might expect in a photo....Jantien Jongsma breaks from her notable and iconic drawing style with something the same, but completely different. In her large drawing we see a work-place comprised of several ethnics. What could be more representative of the Amsterdam of today? And, as Always, she tells a story. 

"Parra" goes from works featuring typography to Pop School-like imagery, but in b/w....Dieuwke Spaans does geometric abstract work in b/w. Actually, the work fits better into the conceptual category. She expresses the genre in unusual ways. Some as a simple nearly monochromatic collage....Marcel van Eeden is a story teller who does it like a comic strip. Five cells illustrate the "Waalsstraat, 1927" story....Olphaert den Otter makes beautiful gouache work with the Amsterdam's detritus as subject matter and material.

Until 11thSeptember. 

Vijzelstraat 32, https://bit.ly/1WeP2EC 

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE GALLERIES: 

+ Wow! The photographic gallery, FONTANA (N.B. Temporary summer location @ Pazzanistraat 11, Westergasfabriek), has had an outbreak of measels. Red dots all over the place! A total of 16 at the opening. Kid you not! The gallery is hanging the work of Ruben Terlou with both his color and b/w photos. He takes us to both life along the Yangtze (China) and into the mountains of Afghanistan. The Chinese views are reveling in several ways. He captures the cities, rural landscapes, the people and, one outstanding photo, shows an aged man sucking on an opium pipe. There are the young, too, six year old children, wearing military uniforms. Perhaps the itimacy we see with the people in the pictures has to do with the fact that he speaks Chinese. Unusual, too, is the fact that he is a medical research doctor who specialized in the study of leukemia. (40x60 cms.,. @ 1,250 euro; 60x90 cms., @ 2,500 euro; 90x135 cms., @ 3,750 euro)  16 RED DOTS at opening.  Until __?__ https://bit.ly/2MUX9da 
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+ Galerie Ron Mandos (Prinsengracht 282)  features the work of Aldo van den Broek, an artist that lives in a b/w world with only a few exceptions. He paints only with black paint and many shades of gray.What will get your attention is the material he uses as his "canvas": Carboard boxes. The typed used to ship goods in; plus a couple of pizza boxes. Cardboard? My only reseravation is that cardboard begins to disinigrate after only a few years time. Perhaps they have been treated. Most of the work focuses on portraits which are rather vague in their definition. 5 RED DOTS, at opening. (9x7cms., acrylic on gum wrapper @1,400 euro; 105x101cms., acrylic on scrapped cardboard @ 6,300 euro; 190x265cms., Acrylic on cardboard, linen, wire mesh @ 11,500 euro)...In the gallery's backspace are two artists that have joined together to form a "Troika": Tom Lore de Jong and Goof Kloosterman. The work is conceptual and ranges from photography to video and more. Until 30th July www.ronmandos.nl 
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Morren Galleries has moved to a new location: Jan van Luykenstraat 2 (at the corner of Stadhouderkade 42). Their first presentation features many of the artists in their stable. Walter Elst is an hyper-realist. His still lives, featuring fruit, are reminiscent of trompe l'oeil of the 17th and 18th century. Both the lighting and contrast stands-out. (2,800-9,000 euro)...Kalvis Zuters is enamoured with gold leaf. The gold seems to dominate the compositions until you notice the nuances: people and bridges. (5,800-9,500 euro)...Marc Podawczyk paints geometric abstract works in an array of colors. He goes beyond the flat linear lines and rectangles by adding shadows giving the work unexpected  depth. (2,800-6,200 euro)...Esther Barend is an expressionist with assertive and bold brushstrokes. Of the four works hanging, two are nearly colorless with pigments of white, black and brown. (5,800-7,200 euro)...Geri Bierenbroodspot shows her bronze works which represents the human torso and horse-heads that would warm the heart of any anthropologist. Several others are also showing. (8,500-18,000 euro). 3 RED DOTS. Until ____  www.morrengalleries.nl 
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+ Max Kraanen (NL) is hanging photography at FONTANA Gallery (Lauriergracht 11). He captures the darkside of nature. This from the invitation: "Kraanen recreates this feeling of anxiety a feeling of imminent but unclear threat....[He] juxtaposes a broad variety of images to tell a story without plot; dark, fictive landscapes next to uncanny still lifes." A couple of works appear to be almost chromatic black. Your eyes search for the imagery. Other works present nature in different ways. Two works---a diptych?---are b/w landscape photos that seem to portray nature's anger especially the one with what looks like three tornadoes moving in parallel. The work generally demands an effort on your part to discern and appreciate what you see before you. (All works are in two or three sizes: 40x50 cms., C-print on aluminum, Ed 5 @ 950 euro; 80x100 cms.,, Ed 3 @ 1,800 euro; 70x88 cms., Ed 3, Inket on dibond with spray coating, Ed 3 @ 1,600 euro; 100x125 cms., same tech., Ed 3 @ 2,500 euro; 150x190 cms., same tech., Ed 2 @ 5,000 euro)  7 RED DOTS at opening. Until __?__ www.fontanagallery.com
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+ Bethany de Forest is having her second exhibition at KochxBos (1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 36). If you like color, she has got color for you! Lots and lots of color. You like fantasy? Welcome to her world of butterflies, exotic flowers, insects and other strange and weird things. The work doesn't require any analysis. It is a trip thorugh a fantasyland that Alice in Wonderland would have enjoyed. (50x50cms., Ed. 10 @ 1,000euro; 50x90cms., Ed. 10 @ 1,500 euro; 100x120 cms., Ed 10 @ 2,200 euro) 3 RED DOTS Until 1st July. www.kochxbos.com.
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+ "mini galerie" (Kinkerstraat 12)  is showing four international attists. Matthew Allen (UK) paints abstract, yet minimal, works with subtle color tones. (27x32 cms., @ 350 euro).... Michael Bennett (UK) is also a minimalistic abstract painter.His work islimited tothe colors of b/w and shades of gray. (57x67cms., @ 900 euro)....Daniel Hollier (AUS) will get your attention because an imporant segment of hiscompositions are the frame. And they are very unusual as well as striking. (1,400 euro)....Jeff Cortland Jones (USA)  paints monochromatic works that are just on the edge of being so. (20x26cms., @ 600 euro)  Until 2nd July www.minigalerie.nl 
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+ De Witte Voet (Kerkstraat 135) presents musical ceramics. Huh? Do you play in a band? Anne-Marie van Spranguses large wood boxes---the type that would hold 24 bottlesof beer---to exhibit musical instruments like drums and their cymbols.shemake then in a rather naive way lending to the imagery's casual charm approach to both ceramic and sculpture (14 examples). On an opposite wall are A4 pencil drawings that feature delicately drawn birds with each holding a twig in its beek. (A4 drawings @ 350 euro; Boxes @ 1,200 to 2,500 euro)  Until 9th July. www.galeriedewittevoet.nl 
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+ As you walk into GRIMM's gallery space your first thought is: This is a group show! Wrong! It is the work of one artist: Volker Hüller (USA/GER). His work reflects various schools of art from the 60s. A very large etching, Last of the Stars, is in an edition, however since each is hand tinted, each is unique,too. It is reminiscent of Jim Dine's tinted etchings. Wall IIcan be viewed as a comical reference to Gerhard Richter's color chart paintings from the early 70s. Home Naked is a ceramic clay human skeleton which is laid on the floor as if it had just been discovered by an archelogist. A large black monochromatic painting is nuanced by depth and textures. This is the artist third solo exhibition at the gallery. (2,500 to 30,000 euro)  Until 16th July www.grimmgallery.com 
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+ LUMEN TRAVO (Lijnbaansgracht 314) shows George Adéagbo (GER/BENIN) who has converted the space into an installation/collage. The walls are fille dwith memorabilia like LPs, magazine' covers, newpaper' front pages, etc. Plus there is emphemera from city' streets. The base of the walls, along the floor, has a variety of books, newspapers, African carvings, and more. The aritst says his work emulates the Flemish 15th and 16th art in a comic strip style. He also says of his work,"It tackles such subjects as cultural cannibalism, slavery, socialism, religion, war and art." (As to how you buy the work they are offer ed as "small walls" and "large walls": 290x135cms.,, Wall F, on the floor @ 5,000 euro; 290x200 cms., Wall I on the floor @ 8,000 euro; 290x660cms., Wall D @ 24,000 euro) Until 16th July. www.lumentravo.nl
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+ ArtACasa (Kerkstraat 411)  shows two artists. Marijke Janssen does animals: Dogs, and rabbits made from composite material. But it is how she decorates the work that makes them stand out. She also has ceramic pieces on display which are untilitarian in the they are large soup serving bowls. The handle, to the top, is a an animal. (225 to 495 euro)  9 RED DOTS...Andrea Letterie is a painter and concentrates on flowers both in bouquets and painted cut-outs. The colors are strong and assertive and cover the color chart. While the work is indeed realistic there is a naive quality that separates her work from the banal. (175, 850, 1,500, and 1,800 euro) 4 RED DOTS. Until 11th July. www.artacasa.nl
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+ Domenico Bianchi (IT) is at SLEWE (Kerkstraat 105)  with conceptual minimalistic works. On show are works on paper, wood and very small silver works (7x7cm). He hangs 20 large abstract drawings (160x120cms), 10 of which are hung together, but offered individually. The work on wood is geometric/abstract designs in silver paint. The small pieces of silver also have a geometric/abstract designs which is nearly subliminal. The works on paper consists of small blue circles in various sizes, but segmented by a geometric grid. (160x120cms., drawings on paper @ 7,500 euro; 7x7cm glazed silver @ 7,500 euro; 80x60cms. Palladium on wood @ 18,500 euro)  Until 2nd July. https://www.slewe.nl/
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+ TORCH (Lauriergract 94) presents the first gallery exhibition, in the Netherlands, for Martin Roemers. If the name is familiar it is because of his recent show at Huis Marseille. Featured in this exhibit are some of the same works seen at the museum. He travels the world with his camera in hand. Hanging you will see scenes from India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, China and the USofA. They are street scenes and you will discover the many activities that take place on the streets of the metropolitan cities of these countries. Views of life and the merchants along the roads and, in one case, a railroad track. In some shots, there is just a hint of motion photography.  (Prices range from 2,950 to 12,900 euro depending on size, edition and the number of the edition)  Until 9th July. www.torchgallery.com 
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+ The new jewelry gallery Rob Koudijs presents Bettina Specknew with her brooches, necklaces and earings. Her diversity of styles is overwhelming; from the conceptual to geometric/abstract to figurative to realism. An example of the latter are thoses works containing small 19th century sepia portait photographs. She works with severa lmaterials: Silver, diamonds, Pearls, white gold, alutype, ferrotype, Onxy, et al. (1,795 to 4,350 euro)  Until 30th July. 
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+ KYAS ART SALON (Keizersgracht 221) presents Jochem Sanders who travels the world and in this show he hangs a large selection of photos from his journeys over the past 15 years. Expect to see: Landscapes, cityscapes, interiors, architectural and a few that 3D descirbes as conceptual. Travel to NYC, Milan, LA and to the Cape of Good Hope. Until 10th July. www.kyasartsalon.com (Appointment necessary)
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+ "The Young Talent" is the title for Kahmann Gallery's (Lindengracht 35) latest exhibition. Bastiaan Woudt does b/w photographs.His subject matter ranges from nudes to portraits to landscapes. Some make use of the motion technique. (45x60cms., Pigment print, Ed 10 @ 1,750 euro; 90x120cms., Pigment print, Ed 10 @ 3,750 euro)...R. Houwen covers the field of styles from conceptual photography to portraits to landscapes. All in b/w with sharp contrasts which is often assertive. (21.5x29.5cms., Gelatin Silver  print; all in an edition of 3; 1/3 @ 1,250; 2/3 @ 1,500; 3/3 @ 17,750)....Laura Hospic shoots provocative female portraits in b/w. She also focuses on the human hand. Expect strong contrast. (40x57cms., Pigment print Ed 7 @ 1,750 euro; 81x57cms., Ed 5 @ 2,250 euro). Until __?__. www.kahmanngallery.com 
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The previous show at: 
Kahmann Gallery (Lindengracht 35) is hanging the b/w photographic work of Rutger ten Broeke. While, technically,  he specializes in shooting nudes that says little about what you will see. The nudes, in many of the photos, appear more as an after thought than being the main focus of attention. The background, for the nude, may be a large cavern or a bos of trees. The nudes seems to be almost incidental. Other photos tend to be traditional except for the poses and the fact we can't see the models' faces. Two works emulate Eduard Muybridge's Animal Locomotion series in which we see a redundant repetition of a person in different poses. Until 18th June  www.kahmanngallery.com 
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Ciou (Fr)  returns to KochxBos (1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 36) for her 7th apperance in ten years. For those who have missed previous shows (and reviews) here is an overall description of her iconic style. She makes drawings and paintings which are weird---sometimes bordering on the grotesque---but also sweet and with adorable imagery. Neat trick! A world filled with innocent young girls who seem to be suspended in a fantasy world and, in fact, the show's title is "A Journey into Fantasy". While all her drawings are elaborate, they range from the simple elaborate to the elaborate-elaborate. Look at the large works and examine the details. There are two wooden toy-like objects also on view. Ideal for a child's room. A book/catalog is available at 35 euro; and with a stamp and a gyclee print @ 85 euro. (Screen print @ 40 euro; A4 drawing @ 450 euro; 50x70 cms., drawing @ 4,200 euro)
 7 RED DOTS at opening. Ironically, three were the most costly. Until 28th May. www.kochxbos.com 
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The new jewelry gallery RA (Nes 120) shows two artists. Karin Herwegh fashions whimsical necklaces from wood disks. She makes the necklace strap from fabric and/or beads or the two combined. Hanging from the straps are toy-like figures, disks, duck-like heads or a series of different shaped beads. (450-1,050 euro)....Lasmin Matzakow also makes necklaces but from wooded disks. They come in diffferent shapes and some have been charred. The straps are made from either braided wire or metal strips. Both are a good complement to the wood. (900-2,450 euro). Until 25th June www.galerie-ra.nl 
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Eduard Planting Gallery (1e Bloemdwarstraat 2) brings back the old days and when we were at the beginning of The Stone Age---the Rolling Stones, that is! Nearly all the photos are from 1963 to 1966. A couple of them will catch your eye because they were used for LP' covers. Terry O'Neill and Gared Mankowitz were really there at the start. It is hard to imagine Keith Richard with smooth and unwrinkled skin; the group being photographed while carrying their own laugage; or Keith and Mick sitting at a table drinking Cokes. Jaeger in make-up with a hair net is funny. It is really a trip down memory lane and hard  to believe it was 50 years ago---as of this date---and even harder to believe they are now planning another world' tour. What an incredible longevity...and especially when one takes into consdidetration their life styles. Must be the Coke---Coca Cola that is. All photos comes in two sizes: 61x51 cms., and 41x51 cms; and all in an edition of 50; Terry O'Neill is priced @ 2,350 and 2,750; Gered Mankowitz @ 2,150 and 2,450 euro, Until 9th July www.eduardplanting.com 
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At Rento Brattinga Galerie (Lauriergracht 80) there are two artists. Marjolin de Wit has both an unusal and often mesmerizing technique. She combines photography with collage. But the collage parts are what makes the work so unusual: ceramic and objects of all sorts. There is also a small floor installation consisting of 60+  pieces. (40x30 cms., oil on canvas @ 1,350; 17.5x110 cms., ceramic @ 2,500  euro)....When you first look at the photographic work of Celine van den Boom they appear to be rather straigh tforward photos. However, closer inspection---and from another angle---and you will see anomolies like a landscape that has near the center ghost-like, almost subliminal, human-like figures. Her basic themes are landscapes and sea scapes. She also hangs a couple of oils. (10x15 cms., acrylic on photograph and aluminum @ 500 euro; 44x30 cms., acrylic on photograph on aluminum @ 1,500 euro). Until 18th June. www.rentobrattinga.com 
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Gunter Tuzina is at SLEWE (Kerkstraat 105) with work that pays homage to the COBRA School but in a more abstract style. He uses the same strong and assertive colors and shades that they incorporated into their work. The abstractions tend to be rectangular. There is also expressionistic elelments with his bold brush strokes. Hints of Rothko, Mondriaan and Malevich are present. There is a series of round canvases. (30x21 cms., oil, crayon, graphite, collage on paper @ 2,500 euro; 42x30 cms., acrylic, crayon, graphite, litho print on paper @ 600 euro; 30 cms., diameter, acrylic, crayon, oil, on linen, on wood @ 16,000 euro) 
Until 21st May. www.slewe.nl 
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Gianni Caravaggio is showing at "andriesse & eyck" (Leliegracht 47). He is a conceptual geometric/abstract artis tmaking drawings, objects and--at this show---has a small floor installation. the drawings are captivating in their b/w geometric configurations. Simple, but with an intricate design which is more or less organic, in a sense. the floor installation consist of a large photo depicting the sky topped with what looks like a carved boulder. (3 drawings sold as one, graphite, charcoal and pencil on paper @ 4,500 euro; 240x185x20 cms., photo paper on blue/black paper and aluminum @ 22,000 euro). Until 25th June www.andriesse-eyck.com 
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Anne Appleby is showing at BORZO Gallery (Keizersgracht 516) with her conceptual monochromatic works. She does it two ways: paintings and prints. The paintings are divided into sections of two, four or six arranged together and offered as one. In these groupings each canvas is either a different color or a different shade of the one color. The color selection appears to be arbitrary, they reflect nature, trees and flowers. In fact, she uses natural pigments from organic elements. (10x33 cms., aquatint, Ed 20 @ 1,600 euro; 56x114 cms., diptych @ 19,500 euro; 173x114 cms., divided into six canvases, oill and wax on panel @ 35,000 euro) Until 4th June www.borzo.com 
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At Vriend van Bavink (Geldersekade 30) is the work of Thomas van Rijs. At first glance, you assume that you are looking at graphic prints. And while they are representational, they are also geometric/abstract works. A closer loook reveals that they are paintings and not prints. The various subject matter is irrelevant; it is thy eimagery which stands-out. the symbolos and objects and een a few animlas and a human hand. No price list. Until 28th May http://www.vriendvanbavink.nl/ 
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In the same space as above, Ten Haaf Projects (Geldersekade 30) shows the work of Mari Stoel who paints and makes collages...and there is a sculpture piece that could legitemly be described as an installation. The latter was created in Chicago where he did an art residency. Stoel collected material from the street which included a gallon (4 liter) can of yellow paint which he has put to use, both paint and can. In a way, you could say the work is in-motion since he pours the paint through three coned shaped interlocked pieces. The collages are composed on rectangular sections and there is a flavor of Max Ernst in forms and colors. One painting is nearly monochromatic and another is a with soft pastel colors representing objects. (50x70 cms., collage, oil on coated paper @ 1,100 euro; 141x120 cms., oil on cnavas @ 2,900 euro; 212x140x170 cms., sculpture/installation @ 4,500 euro)  Until 18th June. www.tenhaafprojects.com 
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At AdK (Prisenegracht 534) are 50+ works by Hans Ebeling Koning. The techniques range from ink to gouache to charcoal and a couple of oils. The styles are nearly as diverse: representational to abstract. Much is in b/w. Two large oils stand-out because he brings together the representatioal with the abstract. The works range from being executed between 1952-2016. (30x40 cms., ink @ 450 euro; 60x60 cms., gouache @ 1,050; 140x90 cms., oil on linen @ 4,750 euro)  Until 28th May www.adkactuelekunst.nl 
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Thierry Oussou (Benin) is at Ornis A. Gallery (Hazenstraat 11) showing  two completely different sides to his ouevre. What immediately gets your attention, when you enter the space, are the wood piles. Cut-up tree limbs are stacked in tiers, layered or in piles. Next, you see his drawings. He has one series where he uses large paper shopping bags. On the side, he draws and paints. The imagery is abstract with elements of graffiti and are reminiscent in style to Jean-Michel Basquiat. There are also three large works (200x152 cms.) which enlarges on the paper bag imager, but visually differs since the large works are on black paper. (45x45 cms., mixed media on paper bags @ 1,100 euro; 156x8x106 cms., wood @ 3,000 euro; 200x152 cms., mixed media on paper @ 4,000 euro)  Until 4thJune. www.ornisagallery.com 
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At Boetzelaer Nispen (De Clercqstraat 64) is Michael John Whelan (Ireland) with unusual photogrpahy. He focues on snow  and snow formations captured in  b/w. Each work is about 20x20 cms., and illustrates what looks like it is in an early melting process. You will be surprised by the details and nuances you can see in something as banal and nearly monochromatic as snow. But there is more to his basic theme. The photos were taken at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway. He alsoshows a video. (24x30 cm., photo, Ed 5 @ 2,100 euro; HDV, Ed. 3 @ 3,500 euro) Until 11th June. https://bit.ly/2zNq5eN 
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Pablo Tomek is at Mini Galerie (Kerkstraat 12) with abstract works and specific forms to accent the pieces. They range from b/w canvases to the multicolor. There is a flavor of Bram van Velde in his style. Also hanging are two works that are mixed media with collage elements. However, they are rather unique in that the collage addition is a sheet of plastic wrap---with paint---which hangs over the piece. (30x40 cms., ink jet on paper, unique @ 160 euro; 50x50 cms., acrylic on Plexiglas @ 450 euro; 88x117 cms., mixed media/collage @ 2,500 euro)  Until 23rd May www.minigalerie.nl 
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Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Tolsraat 84) is showing Mehraneh Atashi (Iran) who emulates Picasso in both style and technique. A rather spectacular work (350x800 cms.) is reminiscent of Picasso's masterpiece, Guernica (1937). In another gallery, there are about 200 drawings, pen & ink, gouache and w/c works. She especially seems to favor the bull image from Picasso's Greek etchings, of the early 30s. (10.5x15 cms., print on postcard @ 950 euro; 80x66 cms., digital print, unique @ 3,000 euro; 350x800cms., acrylic on canvas @ 75,000 euro) Until 24th April...Oops: it is over. www.gabrielrolt.com 
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Dina Danish (Eygpt) is at Stigter Van Doesburg Gallery (Elandstraat 90) with an unusual show. In fact, what to make of it is the question. It appears to be a large installation and, indeed, that is what it is. It consumes the large gallery space with work on the walls, the floor and in the corners. It is colorful and heavy on geometric abstraction. There are rug cut-outs, in multiple colors, which act as an entrance to the heart of the show. Triangular objects standing about 200+ cms., high are 'held together' with multicolor bindings. Half multicolor globes are palced in strategic locations. A video completes the trip through the space. Its theme is based around a deck of playing cards. (Installation sold as one piece @ 30,000 euro)  Until 11th June www.stigtervandoesburg.com 
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Just down the street is the Martin van Zomeren Gallery (Hazenstraat 20) with the conceptual work of Oscar Abrham Pabón (Venuzuelan). His work is colorful, but its range in styles is from the realistic to geometric abstract. When you enter the gallery, you see six tape measures which are extended to 260 cms., and mounted on the wall in a linear geometric form. As to the conceptual, well, there's a lot of that like the string---which segmented in different colors---hanging from the ceiling (3000 euro). On the floor, you will see old linoleum sections---in different patterns---cut into various linear parts. Along the wall is a collection of ceramic forms. They look to be molds more than indentifiable objects. There are ten examples and each sitting on a box. The boxes are part of the work. Some with commerical corporate lettering and a few generic. An exception to the avant garde work is a drawing that is reminiscent of the Renainsance style. The imagery consist of a bearded man contemplating a human skull surrounded by books with linear geometric overtones. Until 4th June www.gmvz.com 
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The duo artistic team, Persijn Broersen and Margit Lukács, is at AKINCI (Lijnbaansgract 318). On entering the space, you will immediately see---to your right---a large photo collage, but a very unusual one as far as technique is concerned. It appears to be various photos, all b/w, of rock formations that are then cut-out and interconnected. The pair then cut-out the over all image and it is framed so that the imagery appears to float on the glass, but you can see the wall which is about five or so centemeters from the wall. There are also other examples of the technique.There is also a film on an oversized screen. It is a moving landscape, in color, and shares the same technique as the photo/collages. The soundtrack adds a dramatic dimension to the effort. (70x232 cms., C-print ondibond, framed, Ed 5 @ 5,800 euro; 92x144 cms., cout-out Lambda print, framed, Ed 3 @ 6,500 euro)  Until 9th July www.akinci.nl 
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At "Galerie bart" (Elandsgracht 16) two artists are showing. Tamara Muller (NL) does unique mixed media works on paper and canvas. She makes use of photogrpahy---using her own image---and draws with pencil and pen & ink, a touch of water color and you have a rather pleasing compositions. A large canvas showing two young girls---her, again--- on ponies, is mesmerizing....And the eyes!..."Oh, what big eyes you have grandma", said Little Red Ridinghood (30x20 cms., mixed media on paper @ 550 euro; 40x50 cms., m-m @ 950euro; 150x150 cms., oil on canvas @ 6,900 euro)....Rozemarijn Westerink (NL) makes dark drawings and works exclusively with pen & ink in these representational pieces.The subject matter is nearly irrelevant. It is the contrast and geometric details that get your attention. However, with that said, she favors garden scenes. (7.x10 cms., etching @ 310 euro; 16x24 cms., pen & ink on paper @ 565 euro; 180x120 cms., acrylic on linen @ 2,900 euro)  Until 3rd July www.galeriebart.nl 
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Kylli Sparre (Estonia)  returns to Qlick Editions (Gerard Doustraat 134)  with her photography. At first glance,  you take the work as a painting which borders on the surreal. And that's both an illusion and her art. She lives in a whimsical world in which nature is the main influence. You will feel either elation or lonliness. Both emotions are conveyed. Also, seven earlier works are on show. (Each photo is available in one of three sizes: 30x30 cms., Ed 15@ 300 euro; 70x70 cms., Ed 10 @ 600 euro; 100x100 cms.,Ed 5 @ 975. Until 2nd July. http://www.qlickeditions.com/
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Martine Johanna (NL)  returns to Bright Side Gallery (Prinsengracht 737), for her fourth appearance, with her iconic paintings. She focuses on the female with a good degree of realism. That is, the figures are well conceived in their shape and details, but deviate from the "real" in her use of colors. And the colors are sometimes spectacular.The space has a nice collection of green plants which she added for the show.  (40x30 cms., acrylic and resin on wood @ 1,700 euro; 160x140 cms., acrylics and "medium",  onlinen @ 6,700 euro) 4 RED DOTS Until __?__ https://bit.ly/2P2mI9c 
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At SmithDavidson Gallery (Tintorettostraat 3)  is the conceptual photographic work of Anna den Drijver (NL). She does realism with a twist. In fact, several twists which makes her all the more interesting. Her focus is on the female form. She even avoids the models' faces. In one series, each model has something covering her upper-torso. You'll get a laugh from them...and they are colorful. The conceptual part comes in when she shoots the model in five poses. Then she arranges the imagery into a collage array and frames it all as one piece. (100x150 cms., photo, Ed 10 @ 3,900 euro; 23x34 cns,5 photos framed as one, Ed 10 @ 4,500 euro)  Until 2nd July https://bit.ly/2DRcbMF 
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Gallery Ron Mandos (Prinsengracht 282) shows two artists. Ron van der Ende (NL) works in wood with the technique of 17th to 19th century wood in layers. He makes wall hangings and the imagery ranges from an automobile, to a sprocket wheel to the ice moon of Europa, not to mention, the valcano. The work is meticulousy done 4 RED DOTS at opening...Bouke de Vries (UK/NL) collects recovered Chinese and Dutch white Delftware ceramics and Han and Tang Dynasty (Chinese) artifacts and reinvents them or reconstruct them as a restorer would do.  In fact, he is a trained consevationist and retoration expert. He takes the shards of ceramic pieces and stacks them as if they were a giant stele. He further complements the original pieces and fragments with photographs. (50x50 cms.,C-Typeprint, Ed 3 @ 1,250 euro; 84.5x25x25 cms., Han Dynasty figure and 15th century Chinese porcelain marine archeology bowls and marble @ 6,500 euro; 38x33 cms., Chinese Han Dynasty earthware vase @ 17,000 euuro)  5 RED DOTS at opening Until 18th June www.ronmandos.nl
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The Amsterdam Art program for 2015-2016 is coming to a close. As always there were some exciting shows. However, most galleries played it safe over the last year with bringing back artists that have sold well in past years. Sure, there have been "new" artists to the scene, but maybe not enough to indulge the adventurous art gallery goer. Well, to paraphrase Scarlet from Gone With The Wind, "Next season is another season!" 

Photo: Foam, Helmut Newton

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