Exhibition 'DRAWING WORK' @ CBK Amsterdam Zuid Oost, Anton de Komplein 120, 1102 DR

Thursday 25^th February until 26^th March Donderdag 25 februari te zien t/m 26 maart

An exhibition with the work of 17 international artists about work and work experiences Een tentoonstelling met tekeningen van 17 internationale kunstenaars over werk-en arbeidservaring

Lezing: do 3 maart 17:30 tot 18:30 uur Tekenworkshop: zat 5 maart 14 tot 17 uur

Last night I went to the opening of the above – I had to go. I was commissioned by the curator and one of the contributing artists Siobhan Wall to write a couple of pieces about 'Work'. I did a text performance and the pieces are to be included in the exhibition.

I am writing a review, not because I was in it or because you can see some of my writing but because although, I spent a large part of the evening doing my best to drink as much red wine as possible, it was a super experience because the selections of work were brilliant, sometimes challenging, funny, inspiring and very thought provoking.

My absolute all time favourite(s) were the 3d cut outs by Marleen Kappe. These looked almost impossible to photograph (so I was like, if I can't take photos of this one/these why take any!). They showed industrial and possibly film or theatre work situations. They are so difficult to describe I'm not even going to bother saying any more than that. The link to her website will give you an idea but they honestly do need to be seen 'live' to really 'get them'. http://www.marleenkappe.nl/

I can't think of anyone other than Siobhan who would have included portraits of homeless refugees. No longer in danger of being sent back but denied the opportunity of working and contributing to the society to which they have been forced to flee. Not being able (allowed) to work is also relevant to exploring work.

There were a few of the works that really stood out for me. They made me spend the latter part of the evening travelling to and at the Bimhuis trying to convince everyone I spoke to to go and see.

I had struggled the whole evening between making photos and not doing so. There were a number of professional photographers, including Siobhan and I thought it was much better to try and get some of those to put with this review than twitting about with my mobile and doing everyone an injustice.

I like seeing art. I don't make enough time to do it. One of the reasons is I know so clearly what I like and why. I rarely see stuff that I like, so all most people (especially my partner) ever hear is me ripping someone or others work that I don't like to pieces. Last night was a welcome relief. I was 'mwah' about a fair amount, but the joy of finding so many exhibits that made me feel enthusiastic was wonderful.

One was a collection of doodles – they reminded me of stuff that I, my sister and partner do! Is there a basic doodling universal style? Loved that they were on post it notes and office paper. Some were free hand geometric later reproduced with compass and rulers. Most were pencil or pen and a small group were coloured in.

The cartoons exploring women, career, and parenting were really well drawn, spot on commentaries and hilarious.

A wall of images of black men was poignant, the text; words to the effect that they didn't want their photos taken so their mothers wouldn't know they were homeless but a drawing or painting was OK. Their inclusion was a super subtle, damning of our world.

Some of the art was from photographs – not really keen on that. I'm like, why bother? For a portrait OK but to present a a painting or drawing when it's always soooo obvious you're just reproducing a photo – I don't get it. You may call me a peasant.

Due to the amount of drinking, a lack of pen and paper and my reluctance to take photos with my phone. I didn't get (remember) the names of the other artists whose work I really liked.

Marleen Kappe has the opening Drie Tekeningen exposities the small format section 5^th March at Witteveen Visual art Centre 17.00

 and here's me reading with the photos of the processed asylum seekers as background

photos: Marleen Kappe and Siobhan Wall

Melizioso© dinner

Delicious food is my passion so I felt privileged this evening to be invited to partake of a Melizioso© dinner. The menu; coq au vin, sautéed mushrooms and pan fried crispy creamy polenta.

The coq au vin was truly amazing, multi layered flavours of an authentic chicken braised in wine sauce with veg. The texture of the slow cooked chicken thigh, flavoured and softened to fall off the bone was perfection. 

 

Many would of course not eat it but for the lovers of rich food... (if fat makes you squeamish skip the this line!) The beautifully browned and deliciously (never thought I would say that) soft skin was the perfect accompaniment to the meat. The divinely intricate flavouring of the sauce was rich, thick, with caramelised onion, slightly sweet omami, herby and permeated with a berry twanged wine. The rich brown colours of the sauce and onions were lifted by julienne carrots. Sauteed button mushrooms were cooked and served separately.

At some point in the past I decided that I like to separate starch and protein as a preference rather than a rule. As such I will in a meal with both, eat the protein first and find that an ideal second choice for after dinner digestion. I have also learnt that having seconds (of protein) trashes the work before. When offered seconds tonight I was amazed to find myself choosing to avoid risking a bloat so I could continue to enjoy the lingering play of the after flavours around my taste buds. Which is a prelude to describing the star of the evening.....

When I arrived for dinner Melissa apologised for the polenta, which she was frying as I entered. She had a vision in her mind of the polenta being much firmer but would have needed more hours in the day to have had the time to pre cook it earlier as needed. The fact that it had been very recently cooked gave the polenta the most amazing contrast between the crispy, cheesy pan fried exterior and the tasty, creamy interior. With the sauce and mushrooms it was the perfect foil and utterly delicious on it's own.

Melivision© provides artistic services; interior design, art and daughter company Melizioso© luckily for me, do food. An intimate dinner for two or not intimate with eight, a banquet, a (wedding) party, conference? Whatever the occasion, if you can't or don't want to make it your self you can get delicious, well made, healthy food with options for a huge range of diets. Coeliac, vegan, pescatarian? No problem! Carb free, gluten free, sugar free. No problem! 

 

Not being much into desserts and having foresworn chocolate you'd need to look elsewhere to find out about the apple and other fruit pies, brownies etc. but I will mention the pizza (she now also does a carb free verion!), the foccacia and the risotto.

However it's such a long time since I tasted her pasta I can't remember any more – hint, hint!

See -  https://www.facebook.com/Melivision2014

Cihan - Food centre Hoofdweg 578 a & b 1055AB Amsterdam NL

I've been going to the Cihan for more than 10 years but they just hit the third strike and they're out!

First was a while back, the manager I think, definitely someone who was asked to solve problems, was wearing a pair of the new fashionable low cut jeans, it looked like a family of spiders was crawling over the waistband. the mama was a giant piece of bum fluff and the babies were the hair springing out of him bum crack! I couldn't go back until this week. 

There was a new guy there, never seen him before. Began positive; the first time I ever went in there and didn't have to wait an age to get served at the deli counter. Bad news the guy was a jerk, the smallest container is now more than double the size it previously was and in addition to him totally ignoring the meaning of “just a small amount please”, he also hassled to sell more, I mean really hassled. I got to the till and found I had spent more than 30 euros!

I made a point of getting the receipt and for some reason, for the first time ever, when I got home I weighed everything I had bought. Not one of the weights that was on the receipt was the same. To be on the safe side I used both of our sets of scales to weigh them – the scales agreed with each other, neither agreed with the receipt both of them showed the ingredients as lighter.

To be fair I phoned the guy. He told me to come back the next day with photos but, made no promise to reimburse me, just to 'check it out'. 

Their scales seemed to be out about 15-40 grams on each item. All the ingredients cost the same kilo price (which has go up to 12.50!) I bought five items to be weighed but there were only 3 weights shown, the first one was 840 grams which is a lot, plus two more of over 250 and almost 300. There was no combination of the containers that came to the first sum and none of them singly were as much as the other two.

I will shop elsewhere. If you shop there, try weighing your stuff again at home!