by Gabe Ponce de Leon The first time I walked through its doors, back in 2005, the Maze was just a family home. Its main claim to fame, at that point, was having been featured in the Snoop Dog video “Beautiful.” But I was completely blown away by the setup: The idiosyncratic design of the…
Read more
Stanley Brouwn [ Paramaribo 1935 – Amsterdam 2017] antonfoek Amsterdam, January 28, 2023– Perhaps it would have been better if there had been no obituary by Stanley Brouwn here. Or if nothing at all is said about the artist, who died in Amsterdam on May 18, in this obituary. If even his birthplace and year…
Read more
Labelled “The Black Tulip”, Ruud Gullit was a revelation of a footballer. The 1987 World Player of the Year rose to prominence after a couple of standout years at PSV, earning him a record-transfer move to AC Milan where he became a legend of the sport. A total-footballer, his real strength was how complete his…
Read more
Chevalier de Saint-Georges, born Joseph Bologne, was widely considered to be one of the most accomplished men in Europe during his lifetime, with a laundry list of talents, ranging from genius violinist to Europe’s greatest swordsman. He is known as the “Black Mozart” – but to be honest, if you learn enough about him, you…
Read more
Pablo Picasso’s most famous period, his Blue Period, was both cathartic and life changing. It will give the young artist the emotional and artistic tools to eventually pioneer cubism and, eventually, revolutionize modern art. This video will showcase both The Old Guitarist and La Vie, two crucial paintings of the Blue Period, one for its…
Read more
Nov. 9, 1934 – Dec. 20, 1996 American astronomer. Very interested in what life on other planets would be like, which is known as SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence). Sagan was a science communicator, which meant he taught people about science. He wrote many books and appeared on television constantly. He mostly talked about planetary…
Read more
antonfoek.com Amsterdam, June 21st 2022– France is heading into a period of exceptional political instability, with the real threat of legislative paralysis, after President Emmanuel Macron lost his overall parliamentary majority in Sunday’s elections. It was a stunning setback for a president re-elected to office just two months ago. Macron’s Ensemble! alliance won only 245…
Read more
The struggle of Albert Camus Niek Pas / antonfoek.com Amsterdam, March 7, 2022– In the lockdown of 2020, many people reached for The Plague. This classic from the oeuvre of Albert Camus (1913-1960), about a plague outbreak in Oran, is at the same time a poignant questioning of solidarity. They also apply to the recently published…
Read more
Perpetuation Part III by Gary G. Amsterdam, November 16th 2021– This includes an important sub-element: inspiration. Kari Voutilainen’s recent biography states that Kari was inspired to start up his own independent atelier after a conversation with Dufour. Behind the scenes, Philippe encourages and counsels other independents, including Romain Gauthier (whose Logical One knocked my socks…
Read more
Bankruptcy and jail by Anton Foek Amsterdam, October 21st 2021– The story of William Smith is simply fascinating: the orphaned son of an English country blacksmith, who became obsessed with creating the world’s first geological map and ultimately became the father of modern geology. Craters on Mars named after him as well as an annual lecture of the…
Read more
Recent Comments