WHAT’S ON IN AMSTERDAM. poster 14 Volume 01 18 March-31 March
spirited away poster by michael schoner
inside: the stoner circus of kyuss state of the street art unheard film: a sight for sore ears www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
Free every second thursday
music
...The circus is back in town By Floris Dogterom
John Garcia: ‘This is about as close as it’s going to get to seeing Kyuss.’
J
ohn Garcia certainly has a down-to-earth approach towards the labels people have thrown at the music genre his former band Kyuss helped to define 20 years ago. ‘I don’t mind if people call my music stoner rock. Or pussy rock. Or cock rock. It’s fine. It’s still rock ’n’ roll to me.’ Speaking via cell www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
phone from his car on a Californian highway, he’s equally as passive about the near-mythical status that Kyuss has achieved over the years. ‘We were just four young kids in high school who didn’t know what the fuck they were doing,’ he notes. ‘We were filling the void, in that we played music that was missing in our lives. The music we wanted to hear. We were just another rock ’n’ roll band.’ Be that as it may, Kyuss has become the stuff of legend – even if it was only after the band called it quits in 1995 that their reputation truly soared.
what’s on. where. when. why.
It helped that fellow guitarist Josh Homme shot to fame with Queens of the Stone Age, taking the stoner sound to the next level, and sparking interest in his former band. But other Kyuss members Nick Oliveri and Brant Bjork have also made their mark in bands such as Mondo Generator and Fu Manchu, as well as solo. And then there’s Garcia himself, who’s made a string of well-received records with Slo Burn, Unida and Hermano. And now Kyuss Lives! Kind of. Josh Homme, who never showed any interest in a reunion, is conspicuous by his absence. Garcia: ‘There’s a common misconception that Josh and I are at war with each other, but we’re not. I love Josh. He’s like a brother to me. The only reason that he’s not involved in this shit is that Josh is ever forward. He’s got brighter and better things to do than jump in the sack with his old band members again. I respect him for that.’ (Although Homme has since announced that QotSA will also be performing at Paradiso to revisit their own debut album from 1998.) So why does Garcia want to ‘jump back in the sack’ with his old bandmates now? A cynic may argue that he realises the name Kyuss on the poster will sell more tickets than Hermano would. ‘People are gonna say I’m doing it for all kinds of reasons,’ says Garcia. ‘Out of sheer boredom or for the money. But if I was doing it for the money, I would have done it ten years ago. Cynical people are so goddamned bored with their own lives that they have nothing better to do than criticise mine, ’cause they don’t have a fucking life themselves.’ Rather, he explains that the main reason is to promote his more personal solo project Garcia vs Garcia – an idea he’s been walking around with for more than 20 years, collecting ‘the feelings, lyrics, songs and music’ along the way. ‘I’ve got to get this monkey off my back,’ he declares. ‘My solo record will hopefully be coming out by the end of this year. What better way to help promote Garcia vs Garcia than by celebrating my best?’ Kyuss Lives! plays Paradiso on 29 March. The show has been sold out for months, but hey, no harm in trying… www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
For all music visit: www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
World Minimal Music Festival From 30 March Muziekgebouw embraces a minimalist aesthetic this month, inviting sonic innovators of past and present to participate in the second edition of this five-day music festival. Followers of the minimalist genre can find familiarity in the music of Steve Reich – his 1972 duet ‘Clapping Music’ can be experienced on the opening night, with various other works appearing throughout the week – Philip Glass and Michael Nyman. But the festival is reaching out beyond minimalist purists by offering a side programme curated by the next generation of Amsterdam musicmakers. On each day, guests like Viral Radio, 22tracks and Future Vintage will present live sets, parties, workshops, interviews and more. There’s also a documentary by Miranda van der Spek about the ritual music of Cameroon mountain folk, and exhibited artworks by Boris Tellegen.
Saturday 19 March Celluloid Jam Sessions Bimhuis, 20.30, €16
Something of a precursor for the main Unheard Film programme a few days later, this night harkens back to a Filmmuseum fave, the 1958 Louis Malle flick Ascenseur pour l’echafaud. It famously featured an improvised jazz soundtrack by Miles Davis, and for this live jam, extrovert percussionist Han Bennink teams up with pianist Guus Janssen to react to fragments of the film on the big screen.
Sunday 20 March Konono Nº1
Melkweg (Oude Zaal), 20.15, €20 + membership
They’re the ultimate in world music crossover sounds. No matter your background, this raw Congolese crew are a percussive treat. Their show is a whirlwind of electric likembé, salvaged percussion and tribal dance. Sure, they’ve worked with Björk and been remixed by Skeletons, Animal Collective and countless others, but nothing beats the intensity of their primal performance.
Wednesday 23 March The Babies
OCCII, 21.00, €6
Fronted by Vivian Girl Cassie Ramone and Kevin Morby of Woods, this ramshackle lo-fi quartet is no slouch when it comes to memorable melodies. Trapped between upbeat pop and slacker folk, they help fill the void as we wait for that new Hospital Bombers album.
highlights 18 March-31 March
film
Stop. Look. Listen. By Luuk van Huët
Unheard Film is a feast for the eyes and the ears
B
ack for a fourth edition, the Unheard Film festival has earned a solid reputation in recent years by elevating cinematic audio to the same level as the visual. For film buffs, a key aspect of the programming this time is the attendance of several illustrious guests, who’ll enlighten and entertain during interviews and present their own work, as well as handpicking a film of their choosing. These guests include visionary Dutch filmmaker Rosto, who chose Alejandro Jodorowsky’s hallucinogenic masterpiece The Holy Mountain (1973); the Dutch composer/sound designer Michel Schöpping, who’s picked Gus Van Sant’s Elephant (2003); and the Scottish film artist/animator Matt Hulse, who will screen the rarely seen travelogue/ documentary Gallivant (1997) by Andrew Kötting. Music lovers and cinephiles alike will rejoice to hear that the most spectacular aspect of Unheard returns with a vengeance in this edition. Yes, it’s the clash of classic and cult films with a live band or
www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
artist. Film critic/composer Kevin Toma will shape a new soundscape for the German urban classic Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt (Berlin: Symphony of a Great City); electronic producer Mike Slott twiddles his knobs for Russian director Andrei Zvyagintsev’s debut, The Return; while quirky Flemish sisters Blackie & The Oohoos will work their gloomy magic on Roman Polanski’s claustrophobic Repulsion. And for a late-night bout of crazy, local hipster duo The Moi Non Plus will reinterpret David Lynch’s debut masterpiece Eraserhead with a dissonant guitar/drum/noise attack. Even though the prices are a bit steeper than your typical film outing, the experience of seeing iconic moving images whilst hearing a live performance is thrilling, so a visit to Unheard comes highly recommended. If you’re feeling lucky (and you speak Dutch), you can also compete in the Soundtrack Quiz and perhaps walk away with booty including DVDs and limited edition WeSC headphones. Just so long as those guys who can recognise every individual explosion from Michael Bay’s films don’t show up again. They win every frickin’ time… Unheard Film runs from 24 March to 27 March at De Balie and EYE Film Instituut Nederland. what’s on. where. when. why.
Notable New Releases From 17 March
Blue Valentine
A date movie capable of ruining any date, this contemporary relationship drama stars Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling as a couple in two contrasting forms: through interwoven fragments we see their relationship blossom from a chance meeting, then dissolving in painfully brutal scenes of cold, desperate behaviour. The easy joke is that it’s like Dawson’s Creek, condensed into two awkward hours and with very vivid sex scenes, yet the performances don’t deserve that. It becomes apparent that the pair rushed into marriage after Williams’ character fell pregnant to a former boyfriend, with Gosling prepared to be her one lover willing to stick it out. Their joy obviously isn’t destined to last, but rather than seeing the initial cracks appearing, we experience the harsh final weekend of their relationship. Another happy ending wasn’t required anyway. Just be careful whom you sit beside while watching, seeing as it’s such a realistic reminder of what people are capable of in the name of love. (SM)
Get Low
This low-key Southern folk tale by director Aaron Schneider (Titanic’s cinematographer) stars Robert Duvall as a grizzly hermit in Depressionera Tennessee. Having lived alone in the woods for 40 years and knowing death is approaching, he heads back into ‘civilisation’ to book a funeral party – albeit one he hopes to attend himself – from funeral director Bill Murray. He intends to hear the awful stories and rumours the local population have been spreading about him, hoping that the unsaid reasons for his solitude can finally be aired, but he has to face his own demons in the process. Get Low isn’t without its flaws. Schneider doesn’t display the most delicate of touches, hitting harder than the subtlety of the plot and the acting talent requires. www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
And the big reveal in the end is more schmaltz than surprise. But the charm of the story shines through, aided by a full cast in fine form. Duvall shines in his bedraggled role, Sissy Spacek reels off another good-natured performance, while Murray’s delightfully dry delivery and lightness perpetually counterbalances Schneider’s attempts at weightier grandeur. (SM) From 24 March
The Fighter
Mark Wahlberg trained for five years to accurately portray boxer Micky Ward, who struggled to become a successful boxer inside the ring as well as outside. With the latter, his manipulative mother (Academy Award winner Melissa Leo) and his crack-addicted brother (fellow winner Christian Bale) continually drag him down. Bale steals the film’s thunder via a reverse Raging Bull performance, once again shedding most of his bulk to play the hyperactive crackhead, while Wahlberg is as reliable as always, playing the straight man and even doing all his own fight scenes. The themes of redemption and perseverance against adversity wrap the entire narrative up a little too neatly for my taste, but that’s autobiographical cinema for you. (LvH)
Special Screenings & Festivals Roze Filmdagen Until 20 March Het Ketelhuis
Amsterdam’s premier gay and lesbian film festival wraps up this weekend, but seeing as it’s a busy gathering, there’s still plenty to catch in the final few days. Key themes this time are ‘The South American Way’ (a daily focus on the continent includes the coming-of-age gender film The Last Summer of La Boyita), ‘Old’ (including 80 Days, a Basque drama about two reunited women in their seventies) and ‘Young’ (including The Man Who Loved Yngve, a successful
For more film visit: www.unfoldamsterdam.nl Norwegian relationship drama set at the fall of Communism.) There’s plenty of atypical hair bear film action too, culminating in a kilt-themed Furball party on 18 March at Westerunie. (SM)
Food Film Festival
Friday 18 until sunday 20 march Studio K, various times
Feasting during films is wonderful (if you can do so healthily and quietly… shhhh!). What’s more, Amsterdam is enjoying a glutton of food and film programming thanks to this little festival and the quirkier ongoing Film & Food 2011 specials at EYE. By comparison, this three-day fest is a tougher nut to crack, but not in a displeasing way. Its combination of new films and docs from around the globe is designed to inspire, inform and occasionally scare you into rethinking what you put past your teeth. Beyond the films, there are cooking workshops, quizzes, debates, a food-inspired exhibition and dance parties. Overall there’s a lot to digest, but at least it makes for a hearty meal. (Sure, this listing may seem cheesy, but that’s just the added pork enzymes at play.) (SM)
Spirited Away
Sunday 20 March In what may be the most beautiful film in the rich, luscious oeuvre of master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, a young girl named Chihiro discovers an abandoned theme park while moving house with her parents. The theme park turns out to be a gateway to a bathhouse that caters to Kajiu, Japan’s mythical creatures, where the witch Yubaba forces Chihiro into service and her parents are turned into pigs. With the help of the mysterious Haku, Chihiro courageously works to regain her freedom and return her parents to normal. The whimsical, fantastic world Miyazaki creates is astonishing to see, but the most impressive feat is how the story is incredibly moving without ever becoming cloyingly sentimental. Also screening on Thursday 24 March. (LvH)
Cinema Derive
Sunday 27 March OT301, 20.30
highlights A double bill featuring Werner Herzog’s Fata Morgana (1971), in which he heads to the desert in search of mirages, and the beautiful Japanese art-house horror Onibaba (1964). (SM) 18 March-31 March
Photo: Nicole Blommers
art Clockwise from top left: NDSM’s glory; works by Roy P. Bradley and Roy Schreuder and KARMA hard at work
Wall to wall By Monte Bergamont
A conversation with Nicole Blommers of Amsterdam Street Art
M
ention the phrase ‘street art’ and chances are you’ll enter into a fairly heated and divisive discussion. Described loosely as ‘any art developed in public spaces’, words like illegal, graffiti and tax-burden are countered with talent, expression and, in some cases, value-adding. Whatever one’s personal opinions, there’s no denying that since ancient times, our cities’ walls, bridges and thoroughfares have served as blank canvasses for this form of mostly non-commissioned expression. In particular, Nicole Blommers, of Stichting Amsterdam Street Art (ASA), wants to bring our city’s walls to your attention. ‘Street art can be anything – a stencil artwork, paste-up, installation or sticker,’ she says. ‘It can be seen as a platform to reach people.’ Formed in 2009 after Blommers and Jarno Gnirrep discovered their mutual love of public art, ASA exists to help expose the wealth of talent around. Last June their first annual Project Amsterdam Street Art took place, while there have also been numerous gallery www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
openings, a paint jam at Museumplein and an ongoing collaboration with the Aalborg Hotel (Sarphatipark 106). ‘They got in contact with us shortly after our Project event last year. Their idea was to host exhibitions and also to have our artists redesign the hotel rooms. Naturally, we said yes!’ In this perhaps gentler ‘post-Banksy’ era, Blommers is confident in the future of street art: ‘A few weeks ago I had a chat with Stadsdeel Centrum, which went very positively. I think that this is the start of a lot of good things for street art in Amsterdam.’ In particular, Blommers names Dutch artist Roy Schreuder, Bustart and Bristol painter Ian Phenna as just some to look out for. But due to the very nature of public art, you just never know what you’ll find out there. ‘My three favourite spots in town are Spuistraat, Prinsengracht and NDSM. But if you wander around the city, you can always find some free art for yourself. It’s everywhere, just keep your eyes open.’ Roy P. Bradley opens at the Aalborg Hotel’s 25th Hour Lounge on 25 March, 17.00 Stichting Amsterdam Street Art’s upcoming ‘New Stars’ exhibition opens in June at The Thought Gallery what’s on. where. when. why.
ASCHENBACH & HOFLAND GALLERIES
Bilderdijkstraat 165c www.gerhardhofland.com Open Wed-Sat 13.00-17.00 or by appointment Jochen Mühlenbrink - Rohstoff Trompe-l’oeil series focusing on the backs of things and the gaps between the information. 19 March - 23 April Opening 19 March, 17.00
GALERIE ADK ACTUELE KUNST
Prinsengracht 534 www.adkactuelekunst.nl Open Wed-Sat and first Sunday of each month 12.00-17.30 Material Girls Group show featuring Els ter Horst, Mai van Oers and Margriet Thissen. 18 March - 16 April Opening 19 March, 16.00
GALERIE MARTIN VAN ZOMEREN Prinsengracht 276 www.gmvz.com Open Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00
Jean-Baptiste Maitre Not Necessarily Words Sculpture and installation dealing with the means of communication. Until 2 April
Grimm
Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat 23-25 www.grimmgallery.com Open Wed-Sat 12.00-18.00
Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ Piet Heinkade 1 www.muziekgebouw.nl Open daily 10.00-20.15
boris tellegen (Delta) Pioneering graffiti artist puts away the spray can for the World Minimal Music Festival. Until 25 April
NIEUW DAKOTA
Ms. Van Riemsdijkweg 41b www.nieuwdakota.com Open Thur, Fri 11.00-19.00, Sat, Sun 11.00-17.00 Apopcalypse Now Massive group show featuring work from the collection of Hugo and Carla Brown. 27 March - 1 May Opening 27 March, 16.00
Dave McDermott - A Rake’s Progress Mixed-media collage from the American artist. 26 March - 22 May www.unfoldamsterdam.nl
TORCH GALLERY
Lauriergracht 94 www.torchgallery.com Open Thur-Sat 13.00-18.00 teun hocks, Untitled
P/////AKT
Zeeburgerpad 53 www.pakt.nu Open Thur-Sun 14.00-18.00 Jan Bokma - Will It Really Take Place i New artwork from the conceptual Dutch artist. Until 27 March
RADAR
Rozengracht 77a www.radar-amsterdam.com Open Fri, Sat 13.00-17.00 or by appointment Immo Jalass Distorted Cities To Rob And Lie Digital paintings from the German artist. 26 March - 16 April Opening 26 March, 17.00
SMBA dave mcdermott, Untitled
For more art, scan this or visit our website: www.unfoldamsterdam.nl/art
Rozenstraat 59 www.smba.nl Open Tue-Sun 11.00-17.00 Identity Bluffs Group show with Sara Blokland, Bruno Boudjelal, Mahmoud Khaled, Lucia Nimcova and Nii Obodai. Until 27 March
Teun Hocks New work from the whimsical photographer. Until 9 April
VERVERS GALLERY
Hazenstraat 54 www.verversgallery.nl Open Thur, Fri 13.00-17.30, Sat 14.00-17.30 or by appointment Yves Beaumont Solo show from the Belgian painter. Until 2 April
W139
Warmoesstraat 139 www.w139.nl Open daily 11.00-19.00, varies by exhibition We Will Never Know For Sure Group show featuring students from the Sandberg Institute. Curated by Christina Li and Yael Messer. 18 March - 3 April Opening 18 March, 19.00
highlights 18 March-31 March
featured artist Michael Schoner Trained as an architect, I’ve started up my own design studio after working at NL Architects for six years. Besides a fascination for construction, structures, patterns, geometry, space, mass, voids and logic, I’m interested in the emotional significance of objects or even just volumes, their symbolism as archetype, animals, their scale, their story, twisting the perception, feeling child-like, and creating social interaction through those objects. www.michaelschoner.de
unfold recommends
HoW BADLY Do YoU WAnt tHis oR AnY otHeR oF oUR PosteRs
Wincd! his our
sandberg revisited, kunstkapel Zuidas, beatrixpark, 20 march
Photo: Frank vena
Checekbsite w
geoff berner, CafĂŠ Pakhuis wilhelmina, 30 march
Win tickets to FeAtUReD conceRts, PARties, FiLMs AnD MoRe: WWW.UnFoLDAMsteRDAM.nL/Win
hackensaw boys, Paradiso, 25 march
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The Haiku Gig Preview. geoFF berner
vive la ville, melkweg, 25 march
Dear Whiskey Rabbi, Let’s get drunk to klezmer punk. Toasting victory.
wHat’s on in amsterdam. volkskrantgebouw wibautstraat 150 1091 gr amsterdam
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Poster artists
Design: russell Joyce Poster: michael schoner contributors: monte bergamont, lauren Comiteau, aquil Copier, Floris dogterom, sarah gehrke, luuk van HuĂŤt, steve korver, megan roberts, natalia sĂĄnchez, livia stier. Printing: Zwaan Printmedia
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DE FILMFREAK
Music Alliance Pact On the 15th of every month, international bloggers and publications pick their fave new music from their local scene and share it with the world. Unfold’s Music Alliance Pact selection for March 2011 is Blues Brother Castro. Listen to them via our website, along with recommended new music from 34 other countries.
Unfold Amsterdam Poster 14 Volume 1
Michael Schoner