Two exhibitions
dal 12/3/2010 al 16/4/2010
Segnalato da
12/3/2010
Two exhibitions
Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam
On show new paintings of Kiki Lamers, in her recent work again the skilful interpretation of the human face is manifest: the exhibition consists of portraits that fascinate in their directness. In the installation of Giorgio Andreotta Calo' the Bakery has been turned into a tomb-like room. Descending into the darkness the spectator becomes slowly aware of a sound that reminds one of the nocturnal chirping of crickets.
Kiki Lamers
Annet Gelink Gallery proudly presents its fourth solo exhibition of Kiki Lamers (b. 1964). Over the years Kiki
Lamers caused a furore with her self-portraits and paintings of children. She is the winner of the Jordaan-Van
Heek Prize 2010, a prize for Dutch painting presented by the Jordaan-Van Heek Foundation in cooperation with
the Institut Néerlandais in Paris. As a result of this prize an exhibition of Kiki Lamers opened in 2009 at the
Institut Néerlandais, which then moved to the Central Museum in Utrecht. To coincide, a new publication under
the title Heads, with an essay by Rudi Fuchs and design by Gabriele Götz was produced.
Annet Gelink Gallery is showing new paintings of Kiki Lamers. In her recent work again the skilful interpretation
of the human face is manifest: the exhibition consists of portraits that fascinate in their directness. The
spectator feels very close to the young persons portrayed. Contrary to her earlier work Kiki Lamers now only
paints the head. A stare, a shadow across a cheek or a wave in the hair is transformed into the subject of the
canvas. The paintings become more than portraits, they are modest studies of emotion and expression of the
subject.
Kiki Lamers creates her portraits on the basis of photographic studies. The one-to-one photo sessions result in
series of paintings that almost seem a repetition but that entail slight and crucial differences: a head is hanging
a bit more to the left, a look is a bit more distracted. Kiki Lamers is able to make the girls’ vulnerability tangible,
and evokes an atmosphere that both attracts the spectator and makes him uncomfortable.
Kiki Lamers is able to lay down a universe in her paintings that cannot be captured in photographs. Just as Rudi
Fuchs describes it in Heads: "We look at them, peer at them, straining our eyes like someone who, on hearing a
nearly inaudible sound from afar, listens alertly for more." But then: "[...] but then I realize that the true gift of
these paintings is their capacity to keep me looking at them."
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The Bakery: Giorgio Andreotta Caló
In the installation of Giorgio Andreotta Caló (b. 1979) the Bakery has been turned into a tomb-like room.
Descending into the darkness the spectator becomes slowly aware of a sound that reminds one of the
nocturnal chirping of crickets. The sound originates from a hundred-year-old lamp. The lamp, which Giorgio
Andreotta Caló bought at a market, was used in Egypt to cross the Suez Canal. Because of the danger of this
journey the sound that the lamp makes is known as the ‘song of death’. At precisely 17:33 hours the sound falls
away and the lamp is switched on. One minute of silence fills the room. Then darkness descends again.
Giorgio Andreotta Caló is living and working in Amsterdam and Venice. His work was recently on display in
Galleria Civica in Trento, MUSEION in Bolzano and UOVO open office in Basel. At this moment he is following the
residency program at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam.
In 2010 Annet Gelink Gallery is celebrating its tenth anniversary.
Until August 22: Kiki Lamers’ show Hoofden on view at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
11 March: Yael Bartana has been nominated for the Artes Mundi 4. The exhibition in the National Museum
Cardiff (Wales) will run until June 6 2010.
Image: Giorgio Andreotta Caló
Annet Gelink Gallery
Laurierstraat 187-189
NL-1016 PL Amsterdam The Netherlands
Hours:
tuesday to friday 10 am - 6 pm
saturdays 1 - 6 pm