The exhibition took place between may 10th, 2000 and june 15th, 2000 in the lobby of the ABN AMRO bank, Kneuterdijk 8 in The Hague, The Netherlands
Photo-gallery of the exhibition
(no way I can really translate this text, I'll try to
give you the information in the text though...)
Sculptures of Kurt Baruch, Thea Bonnecroy, Cas Rietbroek, Mark Rietmeijer and Gyelt Tuinstra
The sculptures displayed show a similarity in form (in formal principle). Clearly the work of Cas, Thea and Gyelt shows an influence by Mark: flowing, curved lines, simplicity in form and a precise finish. One could call this style the "Rietmeijerschool", although these sculptures seem to represent a formal principle that goes above and beyond the individual. Some of the sculptures point to everyday-reality, they are examples of, what is usually called, figurative art. The other sculptures conform to a different set of rules, of formal principles. These rules of abstract art may be less elaborate than those of figurative art, but they are at least as strict.
The way of working is important. To gradually develop a form is more pleasing and sometimes more suprising than 'only' reproducing a paper or clay design in stone. If you start out without a preconceived idea, and turn your attention onto what develops while working the stone, you can let intuition be your guide to new, unknown forms. You allow yourself to change plans and/or react to the structure and shape of the stone. Questions will form themselves: what characterizes this image, how can I strengthen this form, which parts contribute or what should be done differently? The use of handtools, the pointed chissel and hammer, makes it possible to answer these questions as you go along.
Mark and Kurt received their education together at the "Vrije Academie" in The Hague. Cas, Thea and Gyelt learned sculpting from Mark. All of them live and work in The Hague.
If you decide not to set goals en not to spell out the rules before you start, there is room for cooperation and change. Giving feedback on each others work leads to better solutions for shape-problems. Our cooperation consists mostly of assistance, technical advice and mutual challenging.