An Amsterdam Gallery and the 80’s

12 years "The Living-Room" A selection from the years 1981-93
Curator: Bart van de Ven, Amsterdam
June 9th to August 6th, 1995

Artists: Erik Andriesse, Peter Baren, Tim Benjamin, Frank van den Broeck, René Daniels, Sandra Derks, Peter Duka, Ger van Elk, Fortuyn/O'Brien, Cecile van der Heiden, Nour-Eddine Jarram, Hugo Kaagman, Peter Kantelberg, George Korsmit, Michael Kunze, Jose-Maria Larrondo, Aldert Mantje, Leo Mennen, Kars Persoon, Willem Sanders, Rob Scholte, Stepanek/Maslin, Ton van Summeren, Peer Veneman, Henk Visch, Harald Vlugt, Martin van Vreden, H.W. Werther.

Introduction by Wim van Sinderen, Kunsthalle Rotterdam.
Performance by Peter Baren, Amsterdam.
Graffiti performance in courtyard by Hugo Kaagmann, Amsterdam.

The second project of the Kunstverein is dedicated to the work of a progressive and influential Amsterdam gallery: The Living Room. During the years of its existence from 1981-1993, the gallery gave important impulses not only for Dutch art.
"Between the work of the artists and the public – visitors, collectors, critics - stands the form of presentation, which is bound to the person of a non-producer. In this sense, Van den Ven operates as the classical gallery owner who pays for his artists with 'fire and sword', who acts as their spokesman and whose task it is to make the works of art known with his stern hand". (Wagemans)
Bart van den Ven, the former gallery owner and curator, proposes about 20 artists from his programme. His aim is to show in this synopsis a development that has been carried by the inspirational interaction between gallery owner, gallery and artist. His concern remains to do something for 'his artists'. The selection of artists includes areas of painting, sculpture and expirational art.

A book has been published to accompany the exhibition.

Supported by the Mondriaan Foundation Amsterdam, V+R Foundation, City of Neuenhaus and the State of Lower Saxony.