40 years of KunstRAI, a large recurring modern art exhibition at RAI in Amsterdam, is worth a visit, to feel the ambiance, to check out the latest trends in art, and to experience the buzzling energy of the Amsterdam art scene. A few photography galleries were present as well, like DGDH/DGRD, Kahmann Gallery (thanks for the invites, Roy!) or the Kochxbos Gallery. A wonderful afternoon in pleasant company. What else does one need? This time around, my breath was taken away by the haunting experimental photography of Simone Boon. Dancing ladies in a blur of colours and undefined shapes. I thought they were created by AI and asked that question and was assured they were “just photographs”. Further away, Tessa Posthuma de Boer enchanted me with her carefully crafted painting-looking still lives, oozing calm and tranquility. Salih Güler, an economist by profession, intrigued me with his nude in the shower, and the toucan, a taxidermy piece designed by Dutch artists Darwin, Sinke & van Tongeren, left me literally speechless. Finally JD, presented by Roy Kahmann as a crossing between Edward Hopper and Saul Leiter, triggered deep questions about life. I did not know what to expect going to KunstRAI, but the experience was worth the trip.
