Saturday, January 31, 2009

Abstract Dunescape ii (Sold)

ralf kwaaknijd, abstract dunescape ii, 2009

Abstract Dunescape i (own work, 8 x 10 cm * mixed media * 2009)

The abstractification in the Dunescape series is taken a step further. Bold, decisive strokes. Challenging our perception of what is landscape, what is manmade pattern, what is abstract?

This work has been sold and is currently unavailable for art investors.

Semi-abstract Dunescape i and ii

ralf kwaaknijd, semiabstract dunescape i, 2008

Semi-abstract Dunescape ii (own work, 8 x 11 cm * mixed media * 2008)

The Dunescape series is a quintessential ingredient in the reunification of abstract expressionism with earlier landscape traditions. Above we see the first halfway abstractification in the same postpostmodernly deprecating size, below the second


ralf kwaaknijd, semiabstract dunescape ii, 2009

Semi-abstract Dunescape ii (own work, 8 x 10 cm * mixed media * 2009)

I repeat from the earlier Dunescape post:
To emphasize the stampcollectorality of the current art world, I'm putting up a particularly fine selection from the Dunescape series. Each can be acquired for a mere €5000. However, the entire lot of 4 Dunescapes will be sold for €19995. Art investors, this is a unique opportunity to add a real Kwaaknijd to your collection. There are only a few Dunescapes out there, and most owners aren't selling any time soon. This offer ends 1 March 2009, so don't hesitate too long.
The Dunescape series will be continued in later posts, without the sales opportunity.

The Last Supper sponsored by Bertolli

ralf kwaaknijd, The Last Supper sponsored by Bertolli, 2009

The Last Supper sponsored by Bertolli (own work, 10 x 15 cm * mixed media * 2009)

My latest entry in the fantastic Saatchi online Showdown!!! (Rating so far: 6.65 out of 10, with 650 votes...) accompanied by the following postpostmodern explanation:

We see Christ breaking the bread for his apostles, with a reference to the Mount of Olives.

Upon closer inspection, we see that the table is made up of the Bertolli logo. In fact the whole artwork is created on the cover of a Bertolli margarine container. It raises questions, such as: if the Last Supper was enacted today, would there be live coverage from the media? Would it be sponsored for instance by a large margarine producer, under condition that the bread be buttered in prominent view on TV?

This art work is a postpostmodern critique on postmodernism, both in society and more specifically the contemporary art scene. Once again, the size is deliberately small, to underline the absurdity of the fashionable large sizes in contemporary art. Moreover, the advertising and sponsoring by large commercial players has become a trend for which e.g. a gallery like Saatchi's is not ashamed. Art, religion, money, power, advertising, business...are all increasingly entwined. `Father forgive them for they know not what they do.' Bon appetit!


I came across an interesting related post on Carlo Albertoli's blog my latest supper:

30.6.04
a public utility post
last sunday the monthly food magazine that comes with the observer was completely dedicated to italian food.

i will forgive the fact that it used all those worn out clichés you can expect in these occasions: mafia jokes? check
happy families around table? check
pictures of smiling old peasants? check
tuscan villas? check
"insert_name_of_region" the new tuscany? check
etc..? check

i will forgive the fact that the food of northern italy was completely ignored. there's no way you can paint a complete picture of italian food by ignoring the wealth of flavours and wines that come from piedmont in general and the langhe in particular.
no way.

i will forgive all of the above because nowadays i'm older and wiser and more tolerant.
*much* more tolerant.

what i will not forgive though is that the whole of the issue was sponsored by bertolli, which presents its oil as the quintessentially italian product of a quintessentially italian family run producer of centuries old tradition.

the present owners bought the bertolli *brand* in 1994 from the holding company which owned it. just the brand. not the production plants. not the family estate because it never existed in the first place.

moreover, bertolli only packs and resells oil it buys from various sources: not less than 80% comes from spain, greece, turkey, tunisia ( all the big "italian" brands out there - berio, carapelli, carli, sasso etc.. - do the same).

it's not a scam, it is perfectly legal and perfectly detectable: check the bottle and you will see that it only says "packed in italy".

so, next time you want to buy extra virgin olive oil steer clear from the big italian brands: they just add a premium on the greek oil you find on the same shelf at a cheaper price.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Abstract Dunescape i

ralf kwaaknijd, abstract dunescape i, 2008

Abstract Dunescape i (own work, 8 x 12 cm * mixed media * 2008)

The abstractification in the Dunescape series is a quintessential ingredient in the reunification of abstract expressionism with earlier landscape traditions. The increased monetary influence on art has made size an important element of contemporary art.

I repeat from the earlier Dunescape post:
To emphasize the stampcollectorality of the current art world, I'm putting up a particularly fine selection from the Dunescape series. Each can be acquired for a mere €5000. However, the entire lot of 4 Dunescapes will be sold for €19995. Art investors, this is a unique opportunity to add a real Kwaaknijd to your collection. There are only a few Dunescapes out there, and most owners aren't selling any time soon. This offer ends 1 March 2009, so don't hesitate too long.
More Dunescape series in the coming posts.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Man Woman 2 in the Saatchi Online Gallery

Well, I've discovered this wonderful platform for postpostmodernism: the Saatchi Showdown competition!!!!!!!!!

You will be pleased to note that Man Woman 2 received over 659 votes, with an average of 7.04 on a scale of 10 (last time I looked, which was 8 hours before closing).

I had added a nice postpostmodern text, but it seems irretrievably lost after the online election is closed. Perhaps I can reconstruct it a little bit from memory:

Ralf Kwaaknijd, Man Woman 2, 2008

Man Woman 2(own work, 4 x 4 x 6 cm * polyethylene and brass on wood * 2009)

`The Man Woman series deconstructs the postmodern belief in sex as raison d'etre. The series also tackles the absurdly large size of contemporary sculpture. In contemporary art, anything can be made into art as long as it is huge. On the purely aesthetic level, the sculpture addresses the ambiguous relation between man and woman: are they locked in struggle or in dance?'

&&&&&

Another picture of the same work:

Ralf Kwaaknijd, Man Woman 2, 2008

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Dunescape series 1

ralf kwaaknijd, mondrianification of train window, 2008

Dunescape with kitchentopppattern(own work, 9 x 12 cm * mixed media * 2009)

To emphasize the stampcollectorality of the current art world, I'm putting up a particularly fine selection from the Dunescape series. Each can be acquired for a mere €5000. However, the entire lot of 4 Dunescapes will be sold for €19995. Art investors, this is a unique opportunity to add a real Kwaaknijd to your collection. There are only a few Dunescapes out there, and most owners aren't selling any time soon. This offer ends 1 March 2009, so don't hesitate too long.

More on the Dunescape series in the coming posts, although I must first comment on a recent entry of mine in the Saatchi online `showdown'.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Series: the stamp collector's only way to understand contemporary art

My work comes in series. Experience has taught me that the general public, as well as art experts, cannot estimate art outside of the stamp collector's perspective. Art in series is more readily understood, appreciated, collected and marketable.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

The Mondrianification series

ralf kwaaknijd, mondrianification of train window, 2008

Mondrianification of Train Window (own work, 100 x 140 cm * mixed media * 2008)

ralf kwaaknijd, mondrianification of Tennis Timetable, 2008

Mondrianification of Tennis Timetable (Own work, 100 x 140 cm * mixed media * 2008)

Mondrianify your life. See Him everywhere. Such is the influence of a Great Artist on our times. Piet Mondriaan did not just paint bare stripes and rectangles in primary colours...no, He changed our concept and perception of rectangularity and balance, brought it on a Zen level. In honour of this great achievement, I have started the Mondrianification series.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Welcome all to postpostmodernism

Welcome to all.

This blog will soon launch a series of posts and art works related to postpostmodernism.

This will mainly be a lot of yadiyadiya, pimped up and ready for marketing. Keep your credit card ready if you want to make a quick buick out of contemporary art.

Enjoy the deconstruction of postmodernism!

Ralf