Witty Art has left Ani & Haakien after a well recevied one-month soloshow

 
Today was the very last day of my solo showcase at Hostel Ani & Haakien. A selection of Witty Art had been on the wall since the opening on September 15th and after just over a month, it was time to pick up my work and make way for new art selected by Pica Pica 010. 

Also, it's time to take the two 'Lost Bears' I sold during the opening, to their happy new homes, as I know their arrival is eagerly awaited for by their new owners. More of that, soon! 

I'd like to thank the following persons in particular: 
Ani & Haakien's Joyce Brouwer and Danielle Linscheer for their hospitality and kindness, as well as all other staff of absolutely the cosiest hostel in town, and naturally, a special mention for Diva Suzy La Cubanita! 
Marcel Kamphuis from Pica Pica010 for organising it all! 
Alrizki Marino for making such a spontaneous video interview
All those who came by and had a look at my artwork, including all guests of Ani & Haakien whom I had the pleasure of meeting and exchaging thoughts on art, creativity and life. 

THANK YOU ALL!

 

A spontaneous video 'shoot' resulted in a really nice video of my Witty Art opening!

So, what's even more cool about the opening of my work last night at Ani & Haakien, is that one of the hostel guests actually turned out to be one extremely talented film maker (and much more than that), Alrizki Marino, who made a very nice & neat little video of moi-myself, in front of my work. The result is really, really cool - and I am really, really pleased with it!

Another video I made for Ani & Haakien. This time, it's @mizzwitty and her exhibit here at the hostel! #Rotterdam #AmStudio

A video posted by Alrizki Marino (@rmith) on Sep 15, 2016 at 2:21pm PDT

Great opening at Ani & Haakien last night!

What a great opening it was, yesterday at Hostel Ani & Haakien. Perhaps not that busy, mainly due to the hot weather, but a perfect setting for a nice and cosy summer opening. And the people who showed up were all extremely interested in my work, which resulted some really touching conversations about my work and even two brandnew pieces sold!

Unfortunatley, due to traffic delays, one of the singer-songwriters that was scheduled to perform, could not make it, but the very talented Maria-Josephine made more than up for that. And there is nothing wrong with listening to some striking songs brought to life in a nice hostelgarden during a hot summer night.

And then there were two people who took the opportunity of getting some Witty Art of their own. First, my good friend and acclaimed 'citycreator & hospitality expert Leon Keekstra aka De Stadsbemoeial; and then one of my favourite Rotterdam theatremakers and directors, Irene Siekman both purchased a piece from the series 'Lost Bear'. And ofcourse, they had to strike a pose next their new prized possessions, soon to be handed over to them once the exhibition is over.

Some more people have expressed interest in wanting to see the exhibition, while it still on, so I hope many of you will come to visit the loveliest and funkiest Hostel in Town: Ani & Haakien, located in one of Rotterdams finest areas, The Oude Westen (just a five minute walk away from Rotterdam Central Station). The exhibition is still on until October 19th and the good news is, the hostel is open 24/7 ...

Many thanks to:
Pica Pica 010 / Marcel Kamphuis for organising it all
Hostel Ani & Haakien / Joyce Brouwer & Danielle Linscheer for their hospitality and a special thanks to Miss Suzy La Cubanita for being the most glamorous hostel kitty EVAH!
Maria Josephine for performing
Deborah van de Beld for, well, being you & all your support
My dear feline friend Lord Westenwind for getting his fur everywhere!
All of you who showed up to share this moment with me, thank you for your support & the great conversations!

More than ready for the opening of Witty Art at Hostel Ani & Haakien!

Last couple of days, I have been working pretty hard to get everything ready for the upcoming opening of my expo at Hostel Ani & Haakien. Which actually is this very night, tonight. So, you can imagine there's is quite a bit of the so-called 'infamous creative stress' involved ;-)

Anyway, so far I am really happy with how this showcase of my work turned out, especially as it offers both the more cartoonlike side of my work as well as the more surrealistic part of Witty Art.

After long deliberation, I finally opted to show a little series I never really had the opportunity of sharing during an exhibition before: ''Pin Bear Wizard'', from 2013. Featuring yet another brave little bear who has indeed been dealt some pretty bad cards by Life. He is accompanied by a somewhat sinister ''ScapeGoat-ish'' character, of which not even I am quite sure whether he is the bad guy or not. And me being me, and Witty Art being Witty Art, I like to pretty much leave that one open...

But, as you can see clearly, the style of drawing for ''Pin Bear Wizard'' is much more cartoonlike and much more colourful than the other work I selected for the exhbition. Series like ''Lost Bear' but also The Singles are much more surreal and dreamlike - though they all most definitely belong to the bizarre universe that Witty Art is made from.

All in all, I am really happy with how this selection highlights both sides of my work (and my world, for that matter). It's not that I favor one above the other, though I do like the how people sometimes have different perceptions of what Witty Art stands for. Is it cartoonart, figurative or even illustration art? Is is more autonomous, abstract even? 

Now, I am not one for labelling much, but sometimes doing so helps adding a bit of context. So, name or label it whatever you yourself feel like. Whatever feels good for you - and if you don't feel the need to name it anything at all, then that's just fine. All I am after, is that my work speaks to you and manages to strike a chord or two. That it evokes some kind of emotion. That it does not leaves you untouched. Whatever the emotion may be.

And, if does do anything for you at all, that is also fine by me. I just love for people to be honest with my work - as my work as about as brutally honest as I can get. In my work, there are no walls of social conventions to be upheld, no masks to hide behind, to pretence what so ever. It is what it is. And it is what I am. No more, no less. Just me, just Witty.

Working on the selection for my upcoming Witty Art Expo at Hostel Ani & Haakien!

Working on the selection of my upcoming exhibition at Hostel Ani & Haakien, which opens at Thursday, September 15h - which is in exactly one week from now. That means, just seven more days to determine which artworks I am going to show!

So, which will be ''The Chosen Ones''? To be honest, at this point, I have literally no idea. But the ones posted here today, are very, very likely candidates to be considered worthy of selection.

The coming days, I will post frequent updates of the selection progress on the eventpage on Facebook and, ofcourse, here on this blog as well.

Also, you can find all information on the ''where, when & what time'' on this blog too!

Both the exhibition and opening progamme are organised by Pica Pica 010, Rotterdam.

Expo opener at September 15th: Pasta, Music, Witty Art & One Cute PussyCat!

So, here's the teaser for my upcoming Witty Art solo showcase at one of Rotterdams coolest places, Hostel Ani & Haakien. The exhibition, organised by Pica Pica 010, will open at Thursday September 15 with live performances by two very talented singer-songwriters: Maria Josephine and Natalia Magdalena. Also present, Yours Truly Witty, ofcourse, but to be definitely out-glammed by the one an only diva of the evening, Ms Suzy La Cubanita! (Well, which human would be able outglam a gorgeous Maine Coon Pussycat anyway?)

So, all you music, art AND cat lovers, make sure you are present to enjoy it all, Thursday September 15th at the cosiest home-away-from-home, Hostel Ani & Haakien! You will find all the info you need to know below  the picture, which, in fact, shows some of the works I intend to be in this exhibition (then again, if you know me well, it might come as no surprise if I choose for a completey different selection all together... but there is still plenty of time to decide all that!)

Every third Thursday of the month Pica Pica presents live-music and a new exhibition on the walls at Hostel Ani & Haakien! During these nights, new Rotterdam musicians will mix with local artists. A unique evening not to be missed, so be there!

What
19:00 to 20:30 Vegan pasta dinner (€4,50)
20:30: Opening exhibition of Witty Art (including small presentation by Miss Witty herself)
21:00 to 21:30: (music)
21:45 to 22:15: (music)

Entrance: 
FREE! (except for the pasta dinner)

When?
The exhibition opens at September 15 and will run untill October 19th.
And the good news is; the hostel is open 24/7 so NO excuse for not going over there.

Where?
Hostel Ani & Haakien
Coolsestraat 47
3014 LC Rotterdam

Pica Pica
Well, Pica pica is latin for ''magpie''. The magpie is one of the most intelligent birds and is known for his passion for collecting striking glittering objects. Pica Pica Foundation aims to collect the most striking and newest places in different districts of Rotterdam and let them team up with independent artists and musicians from the city. (What's the bet a magpie of some sort will pop up in my work soon? ;-))

Hostel Ani & Haakien
Located in quiet street right in the middle of Downtown Rotterdam, this hostel is about as cosy and artsy as can be. Hostel Ani & Haakien is all about creating a sense of community and a “home away from home” on your travels. And they have got the most adorable hostelCAT ever!

More new Witty Art that will most likely go on show in September!

Here's a selection of possible candidates to go on show during the September-October artshow at Hostel Ani & Haakien, an event organised by Rotterdam foundation Pica Pica.

The timing of this exhibit could not have been more perfect, because I have been on a major drawing spree off late, fuelled by all kinds of new inspirations and visions - of all sorts. Ranging from a world in turmoil and the bizarre behaviour of the so called human species inhabiting it to feelings of more contemplative,and introspective kind. Like, a journey into the mind of one of the persons I know both best and least: myself.

The results of this latest drawing binge consist of smaller sized artwork, none of them bigger than approximately A5, which is great because it is the perfect format for showcasing this work at Hostel Ani & Haakien: a very cosy, slightly artsy and really intimate place with a undoubtedly international vibe. I checked out the venu earlier this week and the whole atmosphere is perfect for Witty Art to both blend it and stand out at the same time. Which is just the way I like it!

So, I am looking forward to finetuning my final selection for this upcoming exhibition, which opens on Thursday, September 2016. You van find all the information on the opening (which will include not only Witty Art, but live music and food as well!) here on this blog or on the Facebook-eventpage!

New Witty Art Expo coming up in September!

Another great opportunity for Witty Art, as my work will be on display for a whole month from September 15th untill October 19th, on a unique and central, international location in Downtown Rotterdam.

Every third Thursday of the month Pica Pica presents live-music and a new exhibition on the walls at Hostel Ani & Haakien! During these nights, new Rotterdam musicians will mix with local artists. A unique evening not to be missed, so be there!

What
19:00 to 20:30 Vegan pasta dinner (€4,50)
20:30: Opening exhibition of Witty Art (including small presentation by Miss Witty herself)
21:00 to 21:30: (music)
21:45 to 22:15: (music)

Entrance: FREE!

When?
The exhibition opens at September 15 and will run untill October 19th.
And the good news is; the hostel is open 24/7 so NO excuse for not going over there.

Where? 
Hostel Ani & Haakien
Coolsestraat 47
3014 LC Rotterdam 

Pica Pica
Well, Pica pica is latin for ''magpie''. The magpie is one of the most intelligent birds and is known for his passion for collecting striking glittering objects. Pica Pica Foundation aims to collect the most striking and newest places in different districts of Rotterdam and let them team up with independent artists and musicians from the city. (What's the bet a magpie of some sort will pop up in my work soon? ;-))

Hostel Ani & Haakien
Located in quiet street right in the middle of Downtown Rotterdam, this hostel is about as cosy and artsy as can be. Hostel Ani & Haakien is all about creating a sense of community and a “home away from home” on your travels. And they have got the most adorable hostelCAT ever! 

Mooie afsluiter van mijn expo in Stroop met de primeur van Tante Timmie Kookt!

 
(summary of this blogpost in English below) 

Ook de laatste dag van mijn expositie in Stroop Rotterdam was wederom een geslaagde! Met veel aanloop en interesse voor mijn serie 'Minor Kitchen Sink Dramas', die gedurende de afgelopen weken op enthousiaste reacties kon rekenen van kijkers.

Tijdens deze finnisage vond ook de eerste try out plaats van een nieuw initiatief uit (bijna letterlijk) eigen keuken: Tante Timmie Kookt.

Tante Timmie Kookt graag en lekker èn deelt haar kookkunsten ook graag met anderen. Smakelijke, voedzame maaltijden voor een goede prijs. En tijdens de finnissage van mijn Witty Art Expo afgelopen zaterdag, serveerde Tante Timmie een overheerlijke vegetarische lunch. En dat leverde alles behalve kleine of grote kitchen sink dramas op, maar alleen maar tevreden gezichten van gasten, die zaten te genieten van hun lunch.

Kon je er niet bij zijn tijdens deze try out? Niet getreurd: Tante Timmie Kookt de komende tijd nog vaker op diverse locaties in Rotterdam. Houd de mijn Facebook pagina in de gaten voor al het smakelijke nieuws hierover - en over Witty Art, en Witty Projects natuurlijk!

Tante Timmie Kookt is een onderdeel van Studio PuRRR, een nieuw initiatief van kunstenaars Deborah van de Beld en Christy de Witt. Studio PuRRR: studio & projectruimte in wording, popt nu nog tijdelijk up op diverse plekken in Rotterdam, onder andere met Tante Timmie Kookt (op locatie).

So, the last day of my Witty Art Expo at Stroop Rotterdam was a great success as well. Quite a good turn of out visitors who took the opportunity to enjoy my series 'Minor Kitchen Sink Dramas', which got some pretty good response from onlookers. As you can imagine, I am very happy with that because it is a great motivation to explore this series further.

During this closer, we also had the try out of a new pop up cookery: Tante Timmie Kookt. Or in English: Tante Timmie's Kitchen.

Tante Timmie is one fine cook. She likes to cook. A lot. And what she even likes more, is to share her cookery with others. Healthy, freshly prepared meals for a nice price. So, she served up one tasty, vegetarian meal for lunch last Saturday for those visitors who were interested. And how they were, as you can see on the pictures!

Tante Timmie Kookt is a concept by Studio PuRRR, a new creative initiative by artists Deborah van de Beld and Christy de Witt.

Met speciale dank aan alle bezoekers van de expo en, natuurlijk, het team van Stroop Rotterdam, in het bijzonder Marjolein Dekker, voor het mede mogelijk maken van de Witty Art Expo en de try out van Tante Timmie Kookt!

With special thanks all the exhibition's visitors and, ofcourse, to the Stroop Rotterdam team, especially Marjolein Dekker, for making my Witty Art Expo possible, including the first try out of Tante Timmie's Kitchen.

More pictures of my solo showcase at Stroop Rotterdam

More pictures of my solo showcase at Stroop Rotterdam!

This exhibtion contains all new work, especially made for this soloshow and prominently features my new series ''Minor Kitchen Sink Dramas''. A somewhat (and seemingly) lighter take on trusted Witty Art themes such as attraction versus rejection, the struggle between the powerful and the powerless.

And, a bunch of drawings I created for the Witty Art XS collection (smaller sized artwork, available for small prices), featuring one of my works dearest characters: Lost Bear. A little, humble, bruised and battered fella, simply looking for no more, or no less, than a caring heart, worth his love and trust. But, as the popular song goes, a good heart is hart to find...  

Great opening of my solo showcase in Stroop Rotterdam!

And another succesful opening for Witty Art! Quite a number of people turned up to join me for the opening of my solo showcase at Stroop Rotterdam yesterday. Some good friends and dedicated followers of my artwork, others people I had met only briefly before or not at all, so again a great opportunity to meet other people and introduce them to my World of Wit(t), so to speak. 

The exhibition will run for another couple of weeks up and untill with Saturday April 30rd, when it will close off with a special afternoon lunch - more on that SOON! Also, I might be popping up with some Witty Art Live one afternoon or more!

Stroop Rotterdam
Mathenesserweg 21 Rotterdam

Openinghours:
Wed-Thursday: 10-18 hrs
Friday: 10-20 hrs
Saturday: 10-18 hrs
Sunday: 12-18 hrs 

Below, you'll find some more impressions of Sunday's opening!