Just in time for the arrival of spring, a new sentiment is blooming into the art world: “now that the Armory and VOLTA are over, I can’t wait for TEFAF.” After the all the buzz surrounding New York City and its many art fairs dies down, now is the time to hop a plane and fly to good ol’ Europe, and set your sights on the Netherlands. Widely considered as the world’s leading art fair, TEFAF is setting the standard for excellence in the art market. Showcasing artworks from 275 of the world’s major galleries, this fair has it all: antiques, Old Master paintings, jewels, furniture, and both Modern and contemporary art. As a perfect <i>mise en bouche</i> for this feast, we have put together a list of exhibitions currently on view throughout the Netherlands.
First stop, Amsterdam, where Galerie Bart presents the work of Ton Slits and Aldwin van de Ven: Slits explores the contemporary visual language of computer games, while De Ven offers a glimpse into her private world through dreamy paintings and sculptures. “Edging Iris” at C&H art space presents a group show of the artists Rob Bouwman, Arthur Stovkis, and Vincent Uilenbroek, all focusing on contemporary painterly abstractions.
Next, let’s head to Rotterdam for two exciting museum shows. Ugo Rondinone reveals a magical installation populated with clowns and rainbows at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. The Swiss artist brings together both new and older works into one large, colorful examination of human existence. Just don’t be afraid of clowns—there are nearly 45 on view! Recently opened, “The Museum of Everything” at the Kunsthal Rotterdam displays a major survey of international works from over 100 alternative artists from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, including Henry Darger, Guo Fengyi, Martín Ramírez, and Sam Doyle alongside works by established artists like Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari, and Grayson Perry.
Over in the seat of the Dutch government and parliament, The Hague is sure to delight with its many exciting shows. The group exhibition “Un Certain Regard” at Dürst Britt & Mayhem addresses the body with artworks by Leigh Ledare, Sylvie Fleury, and Walter Pfeiffer, to name a few. And since we’re in the middle of Women’s History Month, make sure to stop by Galerie Maurits van de Laar where two powerful female artists, Andrea Freckmann and Lilian Kreutzberger, are currently highlighted. Freckmann’s paintings place her own life on the canvas, and Kreutzberger’s textural works feature patterns laser-cut from wooden panels and filled with plaster, emphasizing the rhythm of positive and negative shapes.
So many things to see, so don’t waste a minute, and make the most of the Netherlands!
Exhibition: “Baroque”
When: January 30–March 12, 2016
Where: Galerie Fons Welter, Bloemstraat 140, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Welcome (To The Teknival)”
When: February 6–March 19, 2016
Where: Ellen de Bruijne Projects, Rozengracht 207 A, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Un certain regard”
When: February 6–March 26, 2016
Where: Dürst Britt & Mayhem, Van Limburg Stirumstraat 47, The Hague, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Solid Ground”
When: February 7–March 12, 2016
Where: Francis Boeske Projects, Ms. van Riemsdijkweg 41A, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Next Day II”
When: February 11–April 3, 2016
Where: Wilfried Lentz Rotterdam, Justus van Effenstraat 130, Badhuis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Ton Slits & Aldwin van de Ven”
When: February 13–March 26, 2016
Where: Galerie Bart, Elandsgracht 16, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Ugo Rondinone”
When: February 13–May 29, 2016
Where: Museum Boijmans, Museumpark 18, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Andrea Freckmann, Lilian Kreutzberger”
When: February 21–March 20, 2016
Where: Galerie Maurits van de Laar, Herderstraat 6, The Hague, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “Edging Iris: Rob Bouwman, Arthur Stovkis, and Vincent Uilenbroek”
When: March 5–April 9, 2016
Where: C&H art space, 2de Kostverlorenkade 50, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Exhibition: “The Museum of Everything”
When: March 5–May 22, 2016
Where: Kunsthal Rotterdam, Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, Rotterdam, The Netherlands