This year, the Muze van Zuid music festival, which will take place on 17, 18 and 19 September 2021, will deploy more than a hundred musicians and singers to give concerts in Amsterdam-Zuid, in living rooms, parks, monuments and other special places.

In a hidden chapel, for example, soloists on cello and clarinet will shine and choral singing will resound in the historic Riding Hall of De Hollandsche Manege.

The programme of Muze van Zuid 2021 includes 24 different concerts by over 100 top musicians, 15 guided music walks or podcasts and four street safaris with amateur chamber music ensembles. Music by over 30 Dutch composers will be performed, including five world premieres. The festival offers many musical styles, from gamelan to string quartet and from brass band to piano, cello, lute and clarinet.

This time, special attention is paid to Surinamese composers from the South, such as Jan Victor Dahlberg. The Hindustani singer Madhu Lalbahadoersing will perform his work. Special attention is also being paid to Hungarian musicians who have given colour to Amsterdam’s musical life, such as Géza Frid, Oskar Back and Tibor de Machula.

For the first time, the festival also offers live music outside the Concertgebouw area, particularly in the Berlage neighbourhood and on the Stadionplein. Also new are the musical street safaris by Het Orkest Amsterdam and UvA orchestra J. Pzn Sweelinck.

Participating in the festival are cellist Lidy Blijdorp, singer Sterre Konijn, the Balkan Brothers, Neo-fanfare 9×13, the Nieuw Amsterdams Klarinet Kwartet, the Amstel Quartet, the Berlage Saxophone Quartet, the Aristos Quartet, violinists Joris van Rijn and Emi Resnick, La Sfera Armoniosa with Mike Fentross, clarinettist Anna voor de Wind, Ensemble Resilience and Ensemble Multifoon by Sinta Willur. This fourth edition, Consensus Vocalist is ‘choir in residence’.

Finally, pianists Koenraad Spijker, Maxime Snaterse and Lestari Scholtes will dig up rarely or never heard piano music from the archives, alongside top works by Debussy, Chopin and the Russian Aleksandr Skrjabin. The latter has in fact once stayed in the Van Breestraat.

Muze van Zuid is an initiative of two residents of Amsterdam-Zuid (South Amsterdam), who thought it would be great to play music by composers who have been immortalised on the street signs, such as Schuyt, Diepenbrock or Coenen. More information about the festival, for which ticket sales have started, can be found on www.muzevanzuid.nl.

Photo:

Amstel Kwartet by Govert de Roos

No fewer than seventy sculptures can be seen on the five-kilometre sculpture route of ARTZUID 2021, which starts on Thursday 1 July.

The sculpture route, which is free of charge, runs along Apollolaan and Minervalaan with offshoots to Museumplein, Churchilllaan, Stadionplein and the Zuidas.

There is an information pavilion at Minervalaan 1, where you can have a cup of coffee. You can also find all the information at www.artzuid.nl and download an app (ARTZUID), which allows you to follow an audio tour.

This year 55 artists are participating in the sculpture route, which is made possible by the tireless efforts of 100 neighbourhood volunteers. There are loans from home and abroad, there is a lot of new work to be seen and some artists made new sculptures especially for this sculpture route.

At the photograph:

Raquel van Haver: Untitled 2019

The ARTZUID 2021 sculpture route is already in the starting blocks and hopes to start on 15 May.

‘Imagine’ is this year’s theme and 50 artists are contributing sculptures to this outdoor exhibition, in which they can incorporate their ideas about themes such as equality, freedom, sustainability, animal welfare, nature conservation and poverty. The organisation promises a fresh, challenging exhibition of international top artists and talent from the Dutch academies. There is special attention for female artists and artists from migrant backgrounds.

The following artists are in any case involved: KAWS, Leiko Ikamura, Zhan Wang, Sokari Douglas Camp, Fernando Sánchez Castillo, Lin May Saeed, Nelson Carrilho, Marieke Bolhuis, Tal R, Jonathan Meese, Anne Wenzel, David Bade, Raquel van Haver, Tirzo Martha and Arno Quinze.

Unfortunately, since 1 January, Art Zuid has had to make do without structural subsidy from the municipality, although fortunately the Stadsdeel Zuid does support the foundation. In order to cover the costs and make the exhibition, which is free of charge, possible, the organising foundation calls on all citizens of Amsterdam to make a one-off donation. How to do so is explained below.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

In the coming months, the Cobra Museum of Modern Art in Amstelveen will be exhibiting forty masterpieces from the surrealism collection of the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum in Rotterdam, before going on a world tour.

The museum lends its works of art to museums in the Netherlands and abroad, because the museum is being rebuilt. The Cobra Museum benefits from this because the surrealism collection of the Boijmans belongs to the world top.

The exhibition consists of ‘the currants from the surrealist porridge.’ Key works by Salvador Dali, René Margritte, Andre Breton, Man Ray, Eileen Agar and Max Ernst will be on display. On the ground floor of the museum is an exhibition about the similarities and differences between Surrelism and the Cobra movement.

The exhibition ‘This is Surrealism! The Boymans Masterpieces’ can be seen from 1 June to 27 September, seven days a week. There is an audio tour and there are continuous guides in the museum, to give an explanation.

Walking routes are indicated via a sophisticated dot pattern for safety. Tickets must be purchased online in advance via the museum’s website and there is a walk-in time (timeslot).

Photo: Mae West, Lippensofa, Salvador Dali

In Ben’s Garage, the recently opened cellar of the Move Mobility Experience at the Stadionplein, a unique collection of Porsches is currently on display.

Visitors are given a tour of a number of special models, including the very first Porsche 356, which was sold in the Netherlands in 1949. The 911 Carrera 4S Ben Pon Jr., named after Porsche Ambassador Ben Pon Jr., who passed away last year, can also be seen.

More than seventy years of Porsche in the Netherlands comes to life in Ben’s Garage. From the Porsche 356, which came on the market in 1948 as the sports car manufacturer’s first model, via the 946 Targa, which was used by the Dutch National Police in 1992, to the 991.2 GT2 RS, the most powerful 911 ever. Visitors are given a tour of eleven models and hear stories never told before behind the cars.

Ben’s Garage is named after Ben Pon jr., also known as ‘Mister Porsche’. His family business became the very first Porsche importer in the world in 1949. In addition to being an importer, Pon jr. was also a racing driver in various models of Porsche. His endless love for the Stuttgart sports car brand is now temporarily given a place in the recently opened to the public cellar of the Move Mobility Experience.

In this experience, the first of its kind in the Netherlands, you can make an interactive journey through the history, but also the future of mobility. It is located right next to the Olympic Stadium. Here you can also admire the latest and ‘future’ models of bicycles and cars, including Gazelle, Cervélo, Audi, Porsche and Bentley.

Ben’s Garage is open every Saturday and Sunday. Visitors should book a half-hour slot on https://move.amsterdam/gebouw/bens-garage/ in advance. Admission to this temporary exhibition amounts to five euros for children under 12 years of age and ten euros for everyone over 12. Afterwards, visitors will receive a collector’s item poster from Porsche as a souvenir.

The exhibition, which began in February, will be on display for a few months. The experience itself can be visited at the Stadionplein in Amsterdam from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 and 17 hours. Move is suitable for young and old and is free of charge. Reservations can be made via the website www.move.amsterdam. The Porsches collection can only be visited temporarily, every Saturday and Sunday.

In 2025, the new public library at Zuidas, ‘OBA Next’, will open its doors. Dedicated to the future of knowledge and information, this branch of the Amsterdam Public Library should above all become the cultural and social heart of the Zuidas area. In Europe alone, there are at least five special libraries that could be an inspiration for OBA NEXT. 

Helsinki

Oodi, Helsinki’s new Central Library, was completed in 2018 and stands out because of its futuristic architecture: from some angles the building looks like a wave, whereas from another perspective it resembles a ship. The impressive three-storey structure is made of glass and wood; it is not only a masterpiece of Finnish architecture but also a ‘green’ and sustainable building. 

Stuttgart

The new City Library at Mailänder Platz in Stuttgart opened in 2011 and was designed by Korean architect Eun Young Yi. The structure consists of nine levels spread out over four storeys. Its dominating feature is the modern and minimalist interior, as well as the white colour permeating the building. The symmetric entrance and spiral staircase, measuring 20,200 sq. m² (around 220,000 sq. ft), offer views on the building’s interior from all angles.

Vienna

Vienna’s beautiful National Library is a well-known landmark with its baroque style and majestic rooms. A stone’s throw away from the Danube, the university campus houses this futuristic building, the library of the University of Economics and Business. It dates back to 1898 and was renovated by Zaha Hadid Architects after it was partially destroyed in an arson attack in 2005. 

Copenhagen

Copenhagen Royal Library, also known as the ‘Black Diamond’, is a real neo-modern jewel, located in the historic centre with views of the Øresund strait. It was built in 1999 as an extension to the old library and is one of the city’s most important buildings. The outside of this black cube offers a bewildering spectacle of angled lines, shiny black granite and glass surfaces, while the inside has charming curvy lines, open spaces and escalators. The large terrace can house an audience of up to 600 people for concerts or theatre plays.

Warsaw

The Warsaw University Library is located in the heart of the city and was built in 1816. The new library is a modern and colourful building containing a terrace with four different gardens. The façade is surrounded by engraved stone blocks with texts in different languages, including Plato in ancient Greek and a text in old Polish. The outside of the building  is fitted with patinated copper and green ivy climbing up the walls between the windows.

There is so much to see in the Cobra Art Gallery at Van Baerlestraat 8: from photos printed on plexiglass to controversial sculptures with a nod to fashion and pop art. The artworks at display are all unique or made in limited editions. They are sold according to the ‘art-à-porter’ principle: art delivered from the gallery directly to the customer.

A life-size portrait of David Bowie with a penetrating gaze, shot by the internationally renowned and award-winning photographer Markus Klinko. A little bit further along, a nun tempts the visitor with her seductive eye makeup. Slowly the picture changes, however: underneath her robe she’s wearing a sexy garter belt. In this image, art photographer Cécile Plaisance uses a lenticular printing technique in order to suggest movement. The same method is applied to a picture of a model wearing a Hèrmes burka with a bikini underneath. 

Another wall contains a monumental work by James Chiew. Famous celebrities and global stars, including James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, Jimi Hendrix, Princess Diana and Nelson Mandela, are gathered around a long table. But there is a twist: they never could have met in real life… This is an image that keeps drawing one’s attention and its large size makes it all the more impressive. 

Extraordinary fire extinguisher

“Many artworks in our collection touch upon pop art, fashion, glamour and celebrities. In other words: fashion on the wall”, Leon Jonkman, gallery manager of the Cobra Gallery on Van Baerlestraat, explains. Apart from their iconic photographic artworks printed on plexiglass, Cobra Art is selling sculptures as well, such as the extraordinary fire extinguishers, made by James Chiew: they are adorned with a logo of Ferrari, Chanel or another brand and they even work! 

Or the cartoonish bulldogs by Christophe Comerro; with their glossy finish they seem to be made of china. Then there are the striking arty handbags by Debra Franses Bean that are filled with stacks of banknotes, shiny pistols, gold watches, lipstick shells and perfume bottles. These bags weigh around thirty pounds each. “No, you’re not really supposed to carry them with you”, Jonkman laughs. “These things are objects: it takes the artist takes around three months to make a single bag.” 

Special materials

Combining works from the Cobra Art collection with furniture and objects enables their customers to get a good idea of how these things would look in their own home, the gallery manager says. Practically everything is for sale, from the chandelier to the carpet. “We see art as an integral part of an interior setting.” 

The works sold at Cobra Art are always unique or made in limited editions. The use of special materials, such as liquid gloss with metal paint and resin, leads to stunning effects. Most works can be printed in four different sizes, quite handy if the picture in question needs to fit in an alcove or on a specific wall. And all the images displayed in colour are also available in black and white. Twice a year, in January and September, Cobra Art presents their new collection in Paris during the Maison & Objet Interior Design Fair, each time dedicated to a new theme.

Originality

Cobra Art Company is a family business that was established over 30 years ago and has grown from an art dealer into an international brand. Owners Mike and Jeannette van Rijswijk are still actively engaged in the company: together they travel the world to carefully curate the Cobra Art Collection. 

“We choose photographers and artists based on originality, creativity and innovation”, Jeannette van Rijswijk says. “And obviously there should be a good match with the Cobra Art style. We organize our own photo shoots with the photographers we have selected.” 

The company’s main office is located in the town of Veenendaal (province of Utrecht). Here, visitors can walk through an inspiring art gallery measuring 1,100 sq. m² (nearly 12,000 sq. ft) with over 500 different artworks. The gallery contains fully furnished studios, each with their own unique interior that perfectly highlights the work of art on display. 

Young and trendy

It is a place where art lovers head to when they’re looking for inspiration or simply want to discover new works. “Our target audience is trendy and young, on average between 25 and 55, mostly double earners”, according to Van Rijswijk. “People who love nice interiors, watches, cars, fashion and good restaurants.” The showroom is not only frequented by consumers but is also popular among interior designers and project developers. The Cobra Art project team is available to work with them on interior design or restyling projects. 

Boutique hotel TwentySeven in Amsterdam is fully furnished with artworks from Cobra Art, just like a number of luxury hotels in cities such as Dubai. Jonkman: “Next year we’ll start working together with the Art’otel in Amsterdam, located opposite Central Station. These things make our work so interesting: our art is represented in more than 28 countries, from hotels to luxury interior design stores.”

Masterpiece

Opening an exclusive brand store in Amsterdam had long been a wish of the owners. The Museum Quarter, where arts and fashion meet, is an ideal location – especially with the proximity of Zuidas. Due to their many years of experience in the trade, Mike and Jeannette van Rijswijk know how to perfectly cater to the needs of the market and their target audience; one could say they simply sense what their customers want. Using their expertise, they’ve built their high-end Masterpiece Collection in close collaboration with leading international artists and photographers. 

What will the future bring for Cobra Art Company? “We’re already exporting worldwide. At the moment, there are Cobra Art Galleries in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Düsseldorf and London. And soon we’ll open stores in Paris, Tel Aviv and Moscow, but we would like to add even more”, Van Rijswijk says. “Eventually, it is our ambition to open Cobra Art Galleries in all large international cities.”

Cobra Art Amsterdam
Van Baerlestraat 8
Amsterdam
T 020 2153 110
W www.cobraart.nl

Jeannette en Mike van Rijswijk are the owners of Cobra Art

At the same place where the Gijsbreght van Aemstel premiered 382 years ago, the piece is again performed by Theater Kwast.

This will restore a fine tradition to its former glory. Between 1641 and 1968, Joost van den Vondel’s play about the mythical lord of Amsterdam, who tries to protect his city from Kennemers and Waterlanders on Christmas Eve, was performed in the municipal theatre around New Year’s Day. A record that no West End production can match.

Theater Kwast will return with the Gijsbreght for the third year in a row from 3 to 5 January 2020. Not in the Stadsschouwburg on the Leidseplein, but in hotel The Dylan on the Keizersgracht, which was built on the spot where the play premiered on 3 January 1638.

On 3 January, the first Amsterdam Theatre on the Keizersgracht opened its doors. Rembrandt van Rijn was there and in quick sketches he recorded a few scenes for posterity. Sketches that Theater Kwast would later use to recreate the original costumes.

Since the beginning of the 18th century, a Gijsbreght performance has always been followed by the playful epilogue The Wedding of Kloris and Roosje, a kind of mini opera that was full of crazy traditions. This afterglow is also performed again. In 2020 Ivo de Wijs and Pieter Niewint will sign for the Nieuwsjaarswensch in which 2019 will be put through the wringer.

The performance will be played from 3 to 5 January 2020. Tickets for € 32,50 can be ordered via https://store.dylanamsterdam.com/nl/gijsbreght/ or www.dylanamsterdam.com

With the picture:
The old theatre on the Keizersgracht 384 in Amsterdam, seen from the stage, circa 1658.

The 33st edition of PAN Art Fair, taking place in RAI Amsterdam from November 24 until December 1, features a special exhibition highlighting the works and ideas of famous Dutch fashion designer Jan Taminiau.

It is the first time in the history of this fair for art, antiques & design that this honour has been bestowed on a couturier. In his exhibition The World of Jan Taminiau, the fashion designer – hailed for his use of traditional techniques in contemporary designs – enters into dialogue with the art on show at PAN Amsterdam.

Taminiau painted a cloth and embellished it with beads and sequins. The image he created contains trees referring to the famed Goblin and colour surfaces reminiscent of the modernism of Bauhaus. 

Since the 2016 edition, PAN Amsterdam has commissioned artists to translate their view on the art fair in pictures. The collaborators thus far are photographers Eva Roovers, Koen Hauser and Erwin Olaf. Around 40,000 art lovers visit the PAN Fair every year.

PAN Amsterdam is an annual fair for art, antiques and design, offering collectors, occasional buyers and starters on the art market a wide range of thousands of art pieces. More than 100 vendors will display the best works available on the Dutch art market. These top collections of fine art, presented in a modern setting, have been selected for their appealing mix of aesthetic beauty and quality.