Going back in time: Daniel Gould’s 3D List, Art in Amsterdam #18

Last week, 3D announced that "spring had sprung." This week spring sprung a leak. There is a chill in the air; the wind is gale force and bike riding is tough. Hey, all that's today (Wednesday, 31st March) and March is going out like a lion...As I recall it came in as one too. So April is something to look forward to. Not to mention, that by this weekend, the weather will once again be mild, the wind a bad memory and bike riding a relaxing sport. Kid you not.

What it means is that come Friday and Saturday there will be little excuse for staying alone in your room...come join the cabaret, old chum...To old to dance? Then let your eyes do the dancing for you as you ponder the exuberance of a fine painting or sculpture piece. Last weekend, at two galleries, people did open their pocket books and the red dots erupted looking like a bad case of measles. Here is a new chant for art lovers: "We want red dots...we want red dots." Say it enough times and you'll BUY something...And that ain't bad.

INDEX:

Bits & Pieces:

What You Missed Last Week:

What Is Happening This Week: 

BITS & PIECES: 

The Prague Photographic Festival is from the 30th March until the 4th of April. https://bit.ly/2A5w3dl 
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Mediamatic BANK is offering two workshops on related, but different topics. The invite says, "Two groovy robot workshops...Learn to make your own little dancing creatures or blinking robot mask..." On the 9th and 10th it is "Disco Robot Workshop" and cost 75 euro which includes a "walker robot" kit. Limit 16 persons. https://www.mediamatic.net/en/page/15070/disco-robot-workshop.  Also on the 10th of April there is"the "Robotic Mask Workshop." The cost is 30 euro and includes the mask and circuits. The times are different each day. http://www.mediamatic.net/page/137298 RSVP at the web-site. 

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Not to be outdone, NIMk is also offering a workshop for "The Media City" series. There are conditions for participation. See them at: www.nimk.nl. RSVP with requested forms to: elena@nimk.nl. The fee is 10 euro and includes lunch and drinks. http://www.artscollaboratory.org/ 
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The hypocrisy of the Catholic church regarding sex has been the fodder for headlines worldwide. When 3D was studying in lower school, the nuns would say that it was "fact" that Catholicism was the true faith because the Church had surveyed all the bad people who at one time or another carried its staff. In an article titled, "A time for contrition," by Ross Douthat (www.iht.com), he has summed it up this way: "During a frustrating argument with a Roman Catholic cardinal Napoleon Bonaparte supposedly burst out: 'Your eminence, are you not aware that I have the power to destroy the Catholic Church?' The cardinal, responded ruefully: 'Your majesty, we, the Catholic clergy, have done our best to destroy the Church for the last 1,800 years. We have not succeeded, and neither will you.'" 
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Not all the "reviews" for "Avatar" have been 100% favorable. Stanton A. Glantz of the Center for Tobacco Control Research & Eduction says about Sigourney Weaver's "lovingly smoking cigarettes" in the film, "This is like someone just put a bunch of plutonium in the water supply." 
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Some like it hot!...And 3D really does. Well, not the weather, but chilies and spices. The world's hottest chili is said to be the "bhut jolokia." It is thumb sized. It has more than 1,000,000 Scoville units (the scientific measure of a chili's spiciness). Tabasco Sauce rates a mild 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units and the Mexican jalapeno pepper measures anywhere form a cool 2,500 to 3,000 Scoville units. Thought you would like to know.
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WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK: 

Thursday:

"foam" (Keizersgracht 609) hangs a show titled "The Greatest Hits Vol. 1," by Linus Bill in their library. He has constructed a miniature museum which measures about two by one meter and is the the scale of 1:10. "In this dummy all artworks are produced within scale containing sculptures and a series of about 60 pphotographs." Plus, 3D might add, one ceramic piece. You look through holes cut-out from the structures "walls" to see the "exhibition." The work you observe is of every imaginable subject from baby pictures to a train station to cartoon shots to works of art with everything in between. Clever idea and rather fun. Until 2nd June. http://www.foam.nl
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PLANETART Medialab Artspace (De Volkskrantgebouw, Wibautstraat 150) presents "TECHNOLOGICAL SINGULARITY," a concept. "This concept was introduced to open a discussion about a radical and optimistic view of the future of human development. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, humanity stands on the verge of the most transforming and thrilling period in its history." But there was also a retro element. Nina Lieven (German) created an installation with the focus on a meteorite which landed in Kenya about 30,000 years ago. It is meant to symbolize sort of the beginning of historical time as we know it...Oliver Roura (Spain) says of his six abstract/geometric photos that "All these works are alive. They are born and grow as organisms, they each have their own life." And they are for the most part very colorful...Takesui Furuya (Japan) hangs three photos (trip-tych?) showing the head and torso of a woman in a tub of water. There is a graininess and color distortion that gives a mysterious feel to the imagery.

Almost unnoticeable, and in a corner, there is a glass cube measuring about 150x150x50 cms., and filled with water. It is subtle considering its size but once it does get your attention you appreciate how it blends with its placement location. It is also a sound piece and notes in the shows booklet says," Viewers are tricked into connecting unconnected events; assuming that what they see and hear is cause and effect." It is by Anke Enkard (German)...A corner installation is nice. There is a 2 and 1/2 by two meter high blow-up photo of a painting which is juxtaposed to a white table top with black trim and two rectangular objects on the floor. A purple fluorescent light tube illuminates and accents everything. Nice. Photos were taken, with Isidora D-Lab (USSR), the artist, but, unfortunately, the color did not seem to show up so you may or may not see it reproduced here. (You will not. The purple just didn't assert itself.) 

Doru Dumitrescu (Romania) has designed what could be a prototype model of a not-so-high "sky-scraper"." It has a feel of towering higher than it actually does; it is monumental with a "twist." But you gotta see it to understand the twist...Finally, a word about the "sounds." When 3D entered the space a sound performance was well underway. The sounds were avant-garde minimalism with a beat. You could feel it pulsating through your body. In essence, it conveys a physical feel of sound. Cool! Sorry, forgot to ask who the players were...And there is more, much more; a total of 16 artists showing. Until 25th April. http://www.planetart.nl/ 
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Friday: 

Anne Jaap de Rapper is at VOUS ETES ICI (Lijnbaansgracht 314) with both "paintings" and "sculpture" work. The inverted commas signifies that neither is truly according to the technique we associate with it. In fact, according to the gallery holder, what we see is a representation of "painting and sculpturing." Okay, fine with me. What we DO see are 23 paintings done in the style of a Japanese brush stroke artist who paints a heron over and over more as an exercise in practicing the technique with his rhythmic strokes. All of the works are the same and everyone is different as well as unique. Huh? Well, the artist has painted the same beerch tree over and over. These oils are basically in b/w and shades of gray and sometimes with very subdued green and red hues. Nearly every example, in the series, is of a different dimension. Also on view are ethnographic sculptured-like objects. His actual technique is to take chicken wire and shape it; then cover it with paper mache; and finally painting the imagery in a monochromatic color. The "heads" resemble both African and Oceanic wood sculptures. He places these heads on pedestals which are meant to "represent" furniture. So, sometimes, one piece consists of three parts. (27x22 cms., @ 495; 63x50 cms., @ 1,150 euro; 122x98 cms., @ 2,200; Objects, chicken wire, painted tape, glass granduals, acrylic and industrial paint, mdf @ 2,800 to 5,500 euro.) Until 8th May. http://www.francisboeskeprojects.nl/ 
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...And through the door and we are at LUMEN TRAVO with Otobong Nkanga (Nigeria). 3D is still not sure what the shows title is all about, "No Be Today Story O?" but it doesn't matter. She hangs acrylic paint drawings on paper that are conceptual figurative/representational imagery. The work is sometimes whimsical; sometimes there appears to be a message she is trying to convey; and sometimes she creates an abstraction that unites all the elements. In two works there are a total of six 42x29 cms., sections. Five of the sections are uniform and continuous. The sixth is an expressionistic abstraction. 

In these drawings, the style is somewhat similar to the art work a tourist would buy on the streets of Lagos. She captures this sort of naïve characterization and refines it artistically. 

In addition there are photographs that picture the same "neighborhood" in Lagos. There is also an object that resembles a table (flat surface with six legs) which looks like a topographical model for a land use project. Projecting through the table's surface are three two and one-half long staffs. (drawing, 29x42 cms., @ 1,500 euro; a six drawing set @ 4,500 euro; photograph, Ed. 5, Lambda, 170x78 cms., @ 2,500 euro; object (table-like) 180x120x180 cms., wood and acrylic paint @ 8,000 euro.) Until 8th May. https://bit.ly/2NlXt0m 
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...And a few more steps down the canal brings us to AKINCI for the second segment of a show which is curated by Hadassah Emmerich. Janis Auotins (Latvia) shows in the small gallery, of the space, with a series of paintings that are nearly subliminal when it comes to the imagery. It is not very often one sees a technique that could be called uniquely the artist' own. Each of the paintings look as if they have been done with smoke since the representational aspects is so ethereal. The work has a haunting and eerie feel to it but is still attractive. Two very small pen ink drawings are not much larger then a persons thumb but surprisingly detailed. (15x20 cms., p/i @ 1,500 euro; 25x27 cms., oil @ 5,300 euro.) 

Dafni Barbageorgopoulous is an artist with lots of surprises. She works in neon light, fabric and she makes sculpture. Her neon piece is a minimal linear abstraction measuring 280x100 cms., (@ 6,500 euro) which is simple and elegant. This sense of elegance carries through with her sculpture piece. It is a gargoyle style bronze atop an oak staff (140x22x9 cms., Ed. 5 @ 2,650 euro.) The textile is a wall hanging (120x220 cms., @ 3,000 euro) she has weaved liked a tapestry in a configuration reminiscent of De Stijl. The colors are bright and pleasing....There is also more work by Hadassah Emmerich also hanging in the exhibition. Until 8th May. http://akinci.nl/ 
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...And through the door into Reflex which hangs a group show of photographers. There is an overall erotic theme to the work and some pieces have a fetish/bondage focal point. Until __?__. https://reflexamsterdam.com/ 
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Saturday: 

At "Gallery nine" (Keizersgracht 552) is an homage to Jef Diederen (1920-2009). Diederen's early work is as contemporary today as when he executed it. The exhibition is a survey of 40 years of work from 1961 to 2001. His style was expressionist but he maintained a tight control over his use of color. But that's not to say that he wasn't colorful. Pale yellows, soft reds and muted greens define most of the paintings on display with white always used as the proper accent. Two woodblocks/lino blocks prints, one from 1961 and the other from 1991, are on view. (Prints, 63x93 @ 1,250 euro; aquarel/gouache, 70x100 cms., @ 4,500 euro; 72x60 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 5,000; acrylic on canvas, 140x130 cms., @ 12,000 euro.) Until 24th April. https://bit.ly/2O2dGJ6 
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At "BORZO modern & contemporary art" (Keizersgracht 516) is the work of Leon Adriaans (1944-2004) an artist that 3D was not previously acquainted with. His style ranged from representational/abstract/expressionism to little painted boxes. He often recycled materials from the street like wood, tarps and even paper. What you see at this exhibition is an overview that ranges from the crude to the refined. There is even a chair you might not want to sit in, but you probably would spend a lot of time studying. Included is a self-portrait. Seven red dots 30 minutes into the opening. (23.5x30 cms., acrylic on triplex; 30x40 cms., acrylic on canvas @ 3,500 euro; 42x32 on wood plank @ 5,000 euro; 160x164 cms., acrylic on tarp @ 13,00 euro.) Until 24th April. https://bit.ly/2maQxaC 
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Life in the perfect world! It is all b/w. So says the artist Jakob Kolding (Denmark) ...Or does he? When 3D read him those opening sentences he shook his head indicating "No way!" Well, metaphorically speaking, 3D could probably make a case for the assertion but it doesn't really matter. Everything in this exhibition at Bureau Amsterdam (Rozenstraat 59) is in b/w. While his poster art---which is conceptual imagery and basically simple---is the focal point of the show it is his collages that are the show stealers. There are two types: Those that are framed and traditional; and then there are assemblages of cut-outs that range from the simple figurative to more involved compositions. Also a sense of surrealism pops up from time to time. Many pieces are interspersed with typography---and in imaginable ways---as we might expect from a poster maker. A series of t-shirts have been designed for the exhibition and at the opening you could select one as a takeaway and it was FREE. Also, and through the course of the show---there are three posters that are also FREE for the taking. Until 16th May. https://bit.ly/2LiYVzL 

The highlight of the opening was the introduction of Ann Goldstein to the Amsterdam art scene. She is the new and first non-Dutch director of the Stedelijk Museum of which Bureau Amsterdam is apart. Her remarks were short but she expressed a knowledge of SMBA and its importance within the Amsterdam' museum infrastructure. She also said she would make NO major announcements...And, true to her word, she didn't. 
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Dennis Feddersen's show titled, "(WARNING) SPECTRUM" is at Cokkie Snoei Amsterdam (Hazenstraat 11). The centerpiece of this exhibition is an assemblage of warped plywood strips which, like ivy, converges around a corner as it clings to the walls. It expands from the wall like a tentacle of an octopus. It becomes monumental by the fact that it dominates the space (320x450x270 cms., @ 17,000 euro). To compliment this extravaganza of meandering forms there are five b/w pencil/watercolor drawings. From a distance they appear to be not much more than black blobs of ink on paper. Up close, the subtle imagery becomes apparent. (32x24 cms., @ 750 euro.) Until 2nd May. http://www.cokkiesnoei.com/ 
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"Ulay" (aka Uwe Laysiepen; German/Dutch) since 2002 has been developing water projects that he refers to as "Watertoall." The exhibition at "outLINE" (Oetewalerstraat 73) is an extension of the concept and is part of the project "Waterfonie." He has used a "2 Nokia N82" mobile telephone to create 36 photographic skyscapes and landscapes. He captures the subject matter in both b/w and color; and both are effective. There is also a "video" of an iceberg. Or is it an ice sculpture? No matter. The only perceived movements are the waves lapping at the base of the ice form. All his photos are panoramic and more often than not also dramatic. During the exhibition the unique photos, measuring 18x24 cms., are for sale at 500 euro; afterwards, at 590 euro. Until 24th April. https://bit.ly/2LzEjXq 
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Sunday: 

Galerie Jos Art (KNSM-laan 291) presents the work of Andrea Bender (Germany). Her work is in a category that is uniquely her own. The style is sort of representational and figurative, but that's only said because indeed you can pick out a person, an animal, a room, a table, etc. However, her technique and her playfulness with perspective is such that you don't really get that much into the what the imagery is so much as seeing each composition as a whole. There are also classical elements in the imagery that reflect the 19th century academic style, but it is done colorfully. Bender favors yellows and rose red hues. There is also a strong architectural feel to the compositions since she has a fondness for large ornate ballroom size spaces and chandeliers. 

Color is also a key element in her series titled "Alice." She has so far painted over 20 canvases dealing with the Lewis G. Carroll fable of "Alice in Wonderland" well before the current Tim Burton film on the same subject. Nice work. Five red dots at opening. (24x30 cms., acrylic @ 1,050 euro; 155x140 cms., acrylic @ 5,900 euro; 190x240 cms., acrylic @ 8,500 euro; 200x300 cms., acrylic @ 10,000 euro.) Until 2nd May. https://bit.ly/2KTfwOo 
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...And about 20 meters down the street it's Galerie 23 (KNSM-laan 307). Guy Wouete (Cameroon) draws with crayon on paper like a child. He then adds lines of typography----and puts a line through it---and adds collage pieces like baggage claims from Air Ivory and Cameroon Airlines. There are seven "poles" scattered about the exhibition space and they are listed as an installation. Overall, it is a conceptual piece. The first 120 cms., of the pole is either a stack of paperback books, old shoes or stuffed kids' toys. These items are topped off with an abstract wood carving. (Installation: 3,500 euro/piece or 24,500 euro complete; mixed-media on paper, 39x30 cms., 10xs @ 3,000 euro.) 

Sharing the space is Gerald Chukwuma who makes an entirely different type of "collage." He describes them as "Wandsculpturen." All the parts are made from wood. This is a necessary qualification to an understanding of the resulting imagery. As an example there is a collection of wooden cubes---each much like a di in a pair of dice. Perhaps a couple of hundred of these cubes are used in the composition. Another piece has 20 wooden forks and each with a carved head. The forks are arranged with flat pieces of wood carved with a geometric designs/symbols and those are balanced with wood slats with a carved and painted design. Hey, it is hard to describe. (54x152 cms., @ 2,700 euro; 137x180 cms., @ 4,100 euro.) Until 9th May. https://bit.ly/2JoCck7 
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WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK: 

Reminder: Be warned that when you see (?) it means that the info could be WRONG. And the "*" indicates that the times could be incorrect. You are advised to check the gallery's web-site or to telephone. This is a disclaimer. 

THURSDAY: 1st April, 2010
THURSDAY: 1st April, 2010

17-19:00 Huize Frankendael (Middenweg 72). "OH CRISIS," with twelve artists. http://www.ohcrisis.blogspot.com. Also, on the 12th., 13th., 19th., 20th., 27th., and 29th of April there is an evening program featuring lectures and whatnot. Entry is from 7.50 to 49 euro (the latter includes dinner). RSVP: pers@huizefrankendael.nl 

17:00 Maison Descartes (Vijzelgracht 2a). Joseph Semah with "After Paul Celamni Tango & Fugue; This, however, brings us GrV Le-GaV (Back to Back) with the Artist's promise. [sic]" Hey, it's all Greek to 3D. https://bit.ly/2NKw9J1 

17:30 "foam" (Keizersgracht 609). Paul Graham (UK), "a shimmer of possibility." A series of photos reflecting his trip through the US of A during 2002. He focused on "ordinary, individual Americans." https://bit.ly/2Lavlwl 

19:00 De Brakke Grond (Nes 45). Steven de Peven, "Aanwijsstokjesmuseum." Part of the "Sonic Connections" program. https://bit.ly/1Th5K2k 

20:00 Amsterdam Archieves (Vijzelstraat 32). "The First Photos of Amsterdam, 1845-1875," Eduard Isaac Asser, Jan Adriaan van Eijk, Jacob Oies and Benjamin Brecknell Turner. https://bit.ly/1WeP2EC  

20:30 Mediamatic BANK (Vijzelsstraat 68). "Street Typography & Urban Rockabilly," featuring Mohamud Handy(Eygpt), SjocoSjon (Netherlands), and Sina Khani (Iran). FREE. http://www.mediamatic.net/page/140568/en 

FRIDAY: 2nd April
FRIDAY: 2nd April

17-19:00 ARTTRA (2e Boomstraat 4). Julia Winter (Russia), "Meta-metaphora," in memoriam for Alexi Parshchikov, poet, (1954-2009). Plus a performance. http://www.arttra.com/galerie/ 

21:00 W139 (Warmoesstraat 139). "Doktor Faustus," featuring nine artists who have made drawings on the wall. https://bit.ly/2JitdRx 

SATURDAY: 3rd April
SATURDAY: 3rd April

14-17:30 Test-Portal now Art Gallery (Westerdok 272). Juliette Erkelens, Marjolein Edwall, Mieke Bal and Sanne Thunnissen. https://bit.ly/2A8K75G 

15:00 Galerie Rademakers (Prinsengracht 570). Hans Bosman, "Ogenblikken." https://bit.ly/2JvtSz2 

(?)17-19:00 AdK (Prinsengracht 534). Annette Ong, bronze work and works on paper. https://bit.ly/2LlYzg0

16-18:00 Galerie Clement (Prinsengracht 845). Margot de Jager, paintings; and Sarah van der Pols, drawings. https://bit.ly/2J3VcnE 

16:00 "Galerie bart" (Bloemgracht 2). Christian Kryl and Roos & Chris. https://bit.ly/2m4yS4n 

16:00 Galerie W. van Leeuwen (Hazenstraat 27). René Burri, "Icons." B/W photography. http://www.woutervanleeuwen.com/ 

18-20:00 1K Projectspace-de Ekster (1e Keucheniusstraat 13 hs). Pamela Fraser, work on paper. https://www.mediamatic.net/en/page/147735/1k-project-space 

SUNDAY: 4th April
SUNDAY: 4th April

15:00 Galerie Utrecht (Prinsengracht 572). "Billy & Hells Past and Present Photo's." A portrait series. https://www.morrengalleries.nl/ 

17:00 Melkweg Media Room (Lijnbaansgracht 234). Marieke Verbiesen and Neeltje Sprengers. An interactive installation titled, "MOVIESTAR." http://www.melkweg.nl/artikelpagina.jsp?artikelid=171139 

TUESDAY: 6th April
TUESDAY: 6th April 

13-17:30 NIMk (Keizersgracht 264). "Visionaries - Audiovisual Works in Latin America." A video collection of experimental video and film made in Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. FREE. Also on Wednesday and Thursday. https://bit.ly/2m4s9Hy 

WEDNESDAY: 7th April
WEDNESDAY: 7th April

13-17:300 NIMk (see Tuesday, 6th April).

17-19:00 Melkweg Photography Galerie (Marnixstraat 409, enter @ Jo's Cafe). Daniel Koning, "Zilverstad: Srebsenica 15 Jaar Later." https://bit.ly/2uZmJSp

19-21:00 "retort" (Aalsmeerweg 103). "Meetingpoint," with Elsbeth Struijk van Bergen and Rem van der Zee. https://bit.ly/2uoD5Vh 

THURSDAY: 8th April
THURSDAY: 8th April 

13-17:30 NIMk (see Tuesday, 6th April). 
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This is an unusual Easter weekend. In past years, there had generally been NO openings. Take advantage of this change in events. Join the Easter Parade and follow it to an art gallery near you...or far from you. Just DO it! The Easter bunny never lays an egg only hides them here and there. Your "egg" could be a small work of art. Fry it; scramble it; or do over-and-easy. That is let it get to you; rile your consciousness; or placate the realities of daily life. Hmmm...What does all that mean? Hell if I know but there IS a message there somewhere. 

Hey, Easter Bunny where's your sleigh? Oops, that's the fat guy 3D is thinking about...What's that Big Ears? You wanna borrow my bike? Hey, get a turtle...

 

Photos: 1) Well, this photo does seem appropriate considering the time of the year, The object is by Raymond Hirs, titled, ironically enough, "pepsi-cola." (160x120x120 cms.) Seen at the Central Exposition for Open Ateliers Oost. Photograph By: "Ronnosso", 2) 3D feeling like a visitor to Lilliputian as he peers through the "windows" of its museum. At "foam" for the Linus Bill opening. Photograph by: Amber Poppelaars, 3) Well, 3D thought that it was advisable to illustrate Doru Dumitrrescu's "sky-scraper" with a "twist." Shakened, but not stirred. Photograph by: Elana Krautchenko (aka IsidoraD) , 4) Hmmm...This looks interesting. 3D considering one of the FREE posters by Jakob Kolding at his SM Bureau Amsterdam opening...But what is it? Photograph By: Piet van der Meer, 5) 3D with his FREE t-shirt given by SM Bureau Amsterdam, Also on offer are a selection of FREE posters. Hurry...They are available until they are gone, Photograph by: Piet van der Meer

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