Serious protests happening to save de slang in Amsterdam my friend. I wrote the Amsterdam city council as an american on behalf of de slang and I received a reply. The attack on democracy, the arts and progressive expression begins with dismantling centers of ethnic, gay, gender and conscious exchange. We the people stand now to protect de slang as a cultural, historical icon but also as one of the last remaining places of freedom and genuine creativity that is free for All people to share.
“The Unknown” Battle against mediocrity begins…
I will keep you up to date as things unfold Frank. Kindest regards,
-Jalal
Read more about this vital artists’ SQUAT – DE SLANG – THE SNAKE @ deslang.nl/en/history
Opening Saturday July 12th 17:30
Bagagehal van Loods 6, KNSM-Laan 143 te Amsterdam
From Friday 11 / Sunday 13 July,.Van vrijdag 11 t/m zondag 13 juli vindt er een bijzondere kunstmanifestatie plaats in de Bagagehal van Loods 6, KNSM-Laan 143 te Amsterdam
Sunday July 13th is the 60th anniversary of the legendary artist Frida Kahlo died. Curated by: Thessa van der Voort – Oscar van der Voorn
The Curators have brought 60 artists of different generations, disciplines and nationalities together to tribute this icon of Mexican art from the first half of the 20th century.
Her beautiful, largely paintings and her turbulent life still speak to the imagination. Besides her great love Diego Rivera, among others she had love affairs with the revolutionary Leon Trotsky fled to Russia and the New York photographer Nickolas Muray. Also dancer Josephine Baker and painter Georgia O’Keeffe were among her lovers .
There are many books and films on her life and work and devoted her legend lives on to this day. Well -known artists of the old guard , including Jan Sierhuis and Aad Veldhoen and young urban artists like Ives. One , The London Police, Pleasant, Mick La Rock and also Ans Markus and Patricia Steur and many others, reflect in there work a fascination with this phenomenal women.
The result is a varied exhibition of paintings , collages, sculptures , photography and installations . Several poets shall present a specially crafted Frida poem and shall recite their work over the weekend. There will be music and film performances.
Artist Frida Kahlo and expert Yvonne van der Bijl will give her presentation “Fashionable Frida ” (Frida Kahlo as a style icon ).
The opening of the exhibition shall be in the presence of Mexican Ambassador Ibarrola, Saturday,
July 12 will be conducted by Ex – Minister of Culture, Mrs. Hedy d’Ancona . At 17:30
After this weekend, much of the artwork shall continue to be on exhibit until the end of August, in the context of the Gay Pride events.
The extended exhibition shall continue at the GO Gallery, Prinsengracht 64 1015 DX Amsterdam
bio:
‘PLEASANT’ (b. Georgia, United States 1974)
Artist Jalal Pleasant, known only as ‘PLEASANT’ is renowned for his iconic ‘Pleasant’ Spaceman 60’s inspired street art and installation artwork. As seen throughout Europe and the Americas.
Pleasant’s alter persona, The Unknown was created by Pleasant during his period of creative development in New York City’s East Village scene during the early 1990’s. An active participant in the New York’s City’s lower Eastside street and contemporary fine art scenes. Pleasant’s installation, painting and design artworks have developed over the years into an unusual blend of various styles and mediums that push the barriers of what is deemed “acceptable”. Often walking a fine line between social commentary, satire and the light hearted. Pleasant continues to experiment with traditional and experimental techniques and mediums.
Jalal Pleasant
1960’s Spaceman:
The ‘PLEASANT’ iconic Spaceman street art work and public installations can be found worldwide from Amsterdam to Brooklyn to Brussels to Paris. A part of the Paris underground art walk tour. The Pleasant spaceman has a habit of popping up in the most unusual and popular locations. The 1960’s spaceman, unlike the more refined concept later developed in the 1970’s and 80’s. Laid the foundation for all that which was yet to come and reflected a hands on very human approach in establishing the belief that all things are possible. More so than ever before the world needs to embrace the diverse human rainbow of knowledge, tolerance and peace. There is a tomorrow and it begins with understanding and cultivating new ways of embracing art and life.
Jalal Pleasant studied under the tutelage of New York abstract painter Michael Goldberg and was an active contributor in Fashion Moda, Nyc. In collaboration with it’s founder, (ONE). Fashion Moda nyc represented artists, Keith Haring and Jean Michelle Basquiat in the 1980’s. Pleasant is an alumnus of the New York School of Visual Arts, New York, New York. Pleasant has appeared in various publications, some of which have included, The Nation, The Woodstock Times, Time Out Amsterdam, Het Parool, BlackBook, Elle Magazine, The New York Press and Nickelodeon Television Network.
The art name ‘Pleasant’ was recently placed into the Smithsonian Institute’s database of influentual American Artists. In addition, a selection of art from the Pleasant art collection shall become the centerpiece of a future major museum exhibition and part of the Smithsonian Institute’s cultural expressions collection, located on the grand mall, Washington DC. The Smithsonian is the highest institute-museum of historical, cultural, art preservation in the United states, located in Washington DC.
Stay tuned for more information regarding this event.
2000+ people came out to the exhibit opening. Pleasant retro style Artwork appears next to Banksy’s right hand man, BUSTART, The London Police, Max Zorn and Ives.One. A $100,000 restored ’68 Dodge Charger (Hemi) appeared along with Pleasant artwork and other works. As the London Police added their special touch to this rare classic. Various members of the Dutch and world art press arrived to document this very special exhibition of internationally recognized Artists.
