Giacometti

Both photos in this post show art by Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966). They are part of the Fundatie Museum's current exhibition 'Facing Fear', with sculptures by Giacometti and English sculptor Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003). Their work pictures the sense of fear and disillusionment that pervaded Europe during the Cold War period.

In Giacometti's work he reduces the human (and animal) form to its bare essentials.
´Walking Man´ is seen as the ultimate symbol of the solitary traveller in time that we each are in our heart of hearts. Despite his attenuated boday and narrow head, the walking man is inseparably connected to the earth by his larege, heavy feet. -from the museum's info.

Sculpture reflection

Zooming into the bottom part of a large and shiny sculpture in front of the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle, that I visited earlier today. On the left you can see the reflection of the columns at the museum entrance.

I'm linking to Weekend Reflections.

Fiep Westendorp illustrations

A while ago the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle presented a small exhibition showing a number of orginal illustrations made by Fiep Westendorp (1916-2004). Westendorp was a very well known Dutch illustrator for children's books. The drawing above is a nice example. The text ('t is altijd Big Ben weer!) means: it's always Big Ben weather!

Three generations (including myself) grew up by knowing her for her drawings in B&W in 'Jip en Janneke', a series of children's books written by Annie M.G. Schmidt. They tell about the lives of 2 children, together wit Takkie the dog and Siepie the cat. The books are known for its simplicity and wit, and are still popular these days.

Stairs

Of course you can take the elevator, but why not take the stairs. Photo taken at the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle.

A view from the top floor

The top floor of the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle was built in the shape of an egg, or a cloud as some people see it. (see an earlier post HERE) The view outside offers this: ..

.. the old city centre of Zwolle, with the Peperbus tower there on the left.

Neo Rauch in Zwolle #2

Following up on yesterday's post I have a few more photos of the paintings by German artist Neo Rauch. His works that are currently exhibited in the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle are called dreamy, surreal, and whimsical.

Some of his paintings are colourful, others dark, some monochrome. This one in pink shades appealed to me a lot.

Neo Rauch in Zwolle #1

The Fundatie Museum in Zwolle currently shows 65 works by Neo Rauch (1960, Leipzig - Germany). The paintings are huge -the biggest one is 3 x 4,2 metres-, and they "transport the viewer to an apparently familiar world where, on closer inspection, the feeling of familiarity soon dissapears to be replaced  by confusion, and sometimes unease." (from the museum's website)

Rauch sees his paintings as 'Kreaturen", living creatures. They breath, expand, and need time to mature, both material as well as content. There is happening a lot on his paintings; the longer you view them, the more interesting they get. This second one is named "Geschäft" ("Business")
To read more about the exhibition please check the Museum's website HERE.

The Water Exhibition: Diura

Another magnificent piece from the exhibition in Zwolle (see also last Thursday's post) is this inkjetprint by photographer Alex ten Napel (1958). It is one of his waterportraits and is called 'Diura'.

The Water Exhibition: H2Out

This year's Summer exhibition in De Fundatie Museum in Zwolle has everything to do with water. Several months ago an open invitation went out to artists to join and send in an art piece, which resulted in 250 works in 2 or 3 dimensions, print editions, crafts and performance art. The water theme was inspired by the museum´s location in the water rich areas of the province of Overijssel.
The installation on the photo is called 'H2Out', H2O referring to water of course, and the word 'hout' is Dutch for 'wood'. It was created by Johan Visser (1947).

Miffy statue

Another interesting artwork by South African artist Joseph Klibansky is this "Equilibrio Iconico", a statue of Miffy that embodies the idea of balance between career, family life and youth. It belongs to the exhibition "Leap of Faith", now in the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle.

In 2015 -when 60 years of Miffy were celebrated- the statue was part of the Miffy Art Parade, to honour Miffy, her creator and fans of all ages worldwide. If you would like to read more about the project and the other artists that took part click HERE.

Weekend Reflections

Recently I showed you a few items from the exhibition "Leap of Faith" with works by South African contemporary artist Joseph Klibansky, currently in the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle. This is another eye-catching item.

"Klibansky's exhibition revolves around our current concept of 'faith', which is no longer experienced strictly from a religious perspective, but felt more as a general sentiment of hope for mankind and the planet's future. This idea is clearly expressed in the larger than life bronze sculpture that gave the exhibition its title. It depicts an astronaut carrying a heavy golden cross, a powerful amalgam of modern and old symbols." (From the museum website)

I'm linking to Weekend Reflections.

Nobody ever..

Following up on yesterday´s post this is another piece by Joseph Klibansky; a wall sculpture with a pink neon text "Nobody ever made me fall in love like this".

"Klibansky's work reflects the world of today, or rather: tomorrow's world. Inspired by technology, fashion, design, architecture, travel and music his work gives shape to a world that balances utopia with nightmare" (from the exhibition "Leap of Faith" in Museum De Fundatie, Zwolle)

Bare Hug

A really wonderful exhibition currently in the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle is "Leap of Faith" with works by Joseph Klibansky (1984). This South African contemporary artist was born in South Africa and currently lives and works in Amsterdam. The exhibition shows 3 dimensional as well as 2 dimensional pieces, and I must say that especially his polished bronze sculptures were most charming!

This sculpture is named `Bare Hug` (spelled correctly ;). Leap of Faith in the Fundatie is his first solo exhibition in a Dutch museum. Check out his website HERE.

Waterfall

Searching through my photo archives I found these from the `From Turner to Apple´-exhibition in the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle, back in 2015. The exhibition showed a variety of art works with paintings from William Turner, Piet Mondriaan, Karel Appel and many more. Besides paintings a number of sculptures were shown, like  'Waterfall', a 3D printed sculpture by contemporary artist Eyal Gever (Haifa 1970).

"Turner was fascinated by the force of ocean storms. Eyal Gever too, is attracted by the overwhelming power of the sea. Waterfall is his physical translation of water. This printed sculpture looks like Turner's solidified paint. The medium with which they work could not be more different, but Turner and Gever share their vision on beauty and the sublime". (from the text at the sculpture)

Embroidery Show

A weird exhibition at first sight: Rob Scholte´s Embroidery Show in the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle. "The collection of almost 1,000 embroidery works shown on the rear side invite viewers to witness the struggle required to make the front as beautiful as possible.

Scholte aligns familiar images of painting by old masters, like The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer. The until now hidden rear sides offer a privileged glimpse into the level of intense work required, as well as revealing the true character of the makers." (info from the museum)

Whether you like the concept or not, I think it's new and original and it does make you look with a different eye. It was charming somehow.

Wagon with Portraits

This work of art is named "Wagon with Portraits" and stands in front of the Nijenhuis Castle in Heino/Weihe. The heads were created by Dutch sculpturor Cornelis Rogge (1932). Somehow it really appeals to me!
In the background is the entrance of the museum.

Weekend reflections

The castle Nijenhuis´ windows are reflecting in the moat. For more reflections around the world go to Weekend Reflections.

Nijenhuis Castle

 

We visited Kasteel Het Nijenhuis (The Nijenhuis Castle) today, one of the best preserved manor houses in the province of Overijssel. It is situated between the villages of Heino and Wijhe. Its history began in the late Middle Ages, the first record dating from 1382. The castle was occupied by various noble families, though after the estate had been sold by the Van Pallandt family in 1934, it fell into disrepair. On initiative by collector Dirk Hannema the castle was restored and converted into an architect-designed museum. Nowadays it is one of the locations of Museum De Fundatie. Besides the castle itself the statue garden is impressive, more photos will follow. 

The castle seen from another angle. Isn't the tree enormous!?

Lines and stripes

Going downstairs in Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle.

"Self Portrait of a Dreamer"

by Joseph Klibansky (Cape Town, 1984). It is made from fiber-reinforced plastic, resin, fiberglass, silk flowers, acrylic and iron. The sculpture is part of the exhibition 'Nick & Simon - OPEN', currently in Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle.
It caught this lady's attention!