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Roman Cieslewicz (1930-1996)

One notable creator, omitted in my previous blog discussing Topor, is Roman Cieslewicz. Cieslewicz, a close acquaintance of Topor who resided in Paris, rose to prominence in the 1960s with his graphic design for prestigious publications such as Vogue and Elle, as well as for various event posters.

For the Dutch, the Stedelijk Museum presented his work for the first time in 1973. A superb catalogue, crafted by Wim Crouwel, was published in commemoration of the exhibition. This showcase demonstrated the remarkable talent of Cieslewicz, with the majority of the collection featuring his poster designs over the span of two decades.

Cieslewicz stands as an exceptional artist, whose recognition in his lifetime was far less than what he receives today. In recent years, his books have piqued the interest of graphic art students worldwide, a testament to his rising popularity. It is only a matter of time before books on Cieslewicz become scarce collectibles.

The catalogue is currently available at www.ftn-books.com, a valuable addition to any collection.

www.ftn-books.com has several titles on or with Roman Ciesliewicz available.

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Peter Struycken (1939)

Peter Struycken, born in The Hague in 1939, was one of the first artists in the Netherlands to incorporate computers into his artistic process around 1969. He was also among the first to create artwork on a large scale for public spaces and buildings.

Struycken’s work takes on various forms – paintings, drawings, installations, and moving images – characterized by abstract patterns and figures. These, along with color and light, play a significant role in his installations. In 1981, Struycken designed the well-known postage stamp featuring former Queen Beatrix, made up of countless tiny dots varying in size. This stands as a unique piece in Struycken’s body of work as figurative elements typically do not feature in his pieces.

Since 1987, Struycken has also designed lighting plans and theatrical sets. This is evident in his piece “Untitled” from 1993, which is a part of the colonnade beneath the archive building of Het Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam. “Untitled” illuminates the publicly accessible colonnade – the columns – after sunset.

Every ten minutes, the colors of the columns change, controlled by a computer program that ensures the red, green, and blue lamps display a different combination of primary and mixed colors each time. This theatrical passage becomes almost like a stage, an ambiguous space neither indoors nor fully outdoors.

Struycken studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague (1957-1961). From 1964 to 1976, he led a department specializing in environmental art at the art academy in Arnhem. (Group) exhibitions of Struycken’s work have taken place at institutions such as Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Rotterdam), the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Galerie De Expeditie (Amsterdam), and the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam.

www.ftn-books.com has many titles available on Peter Struycken.

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Michael Parkes (continued)

Michael Parkes initially painted in the Abstract Expressionist style, as taught by his professors, but a period of introspection led him to switch to a meticulous representation style. This allowed him to fully express his inner world of images.

Michael Parkes is a renowned painter, sculptor, and lithographer known for his magical realism works. Despite the challenging nature of the art world, he has achieved success and his pieces are sought after by celebrities, private collectors, and galleries worldwide. He has been exhibiting his works since 1977, when he had his first one-man show in Amsterdam. His exhibitions have taken place at prestigious events such as the Basel in Switzerland, Art Chicago, and Art fair NY, among others.

While he studied graphic art and painting at the University of Kansas, Parkes’ unique style developed during a period of isolation when he temporarily stopped creating art and traveled to India in search of spiritual enlightenment. His style is rooted in realism but incorporates magical elements, earning him the title of a Magic Realism artist. Drawing from both Eastern and Western esoteric doctrines, Parkes’ imagery is a fusion of various wisdoms such as cabalistic and tantric teachings, translated through his own imagination. Within his work, strange creatures coexist with winged women, the eternal battle between good and evil rages on (though it is often unclear which side is which), and entire worlds are created and destroyed in an ethereal realm, closer to the desires of the heart.

www.ftn-books.com has several Michael Parkes collectibles now available.

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Tapio Wirkkala (continued)

The masterful Finnish designer and glassmaker, Tapio Wirkkala, has graced the Netherlands with his exceptional exhibitions. However, none were quite as significant as his showcase at the Stedelijk Museum in 1976. The Stedelijk Museum showed a keen interest in Wirkkala’s work and acquired numerous stunning pieces from him and his wife, Rut Bryk. Interestingly, Bryk had her own exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in 1970, even before Wirkkala himself. The catalogues for both exhibitions were skillfully designed by Wim Crouwel and have now become highly coveted collector’s items.

Wirkkala’s profound designs for Iittala continue to be in production to this day. I only wish I had more publications on Wirkkala and his wife, as they are quite rare. The few I have were all obtained from the Stedelijk Museum. One is a monograph while the other two are group exhibitions focused on Finnish glass and design.

Please visit www.ftn-books.com for more on Wirkkala and other great design artists.

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Ian Wilson (1940-2020)

Wilson, born in Durban, South Africa in 1940, migrated to the United States at the tender age of twenty. Early on, his creations were influenced by Constructivism and the emerging Minimalism movement, eventually culminating in the creation of “Circle on the Floor” and “Circle on the Wall” in 1968. These two pieces, composed of simple geometric shapes, were meant to be reproduced in an infinite number of ways using chalk and instructions provided by Wilson. His work engaged in a conversation with other Conceptual artists of the time, including Art & Language, Robert Barry, Joseph Kosuth, and Lawrence Weiner. “Circle on the Floor” and “Circle on the Wall” marked the end of Wilson’s physical creations as he shifted his focus to his series “Discussions” in 1968-86/1999-2020.

This series, which began with Wilson uttering a single word – “time” – was a bold statement on verbal communication. In a 2002 interview with Oscar van den Boogaard, Wilson explained, “My aim was to insert the word ‘time’ into every conversation I had, with anyone, anywhere. It was not about the word itself, but rather the effect it had on the verbal exchange.” As the series evolved, the “Discussions” were held in various institutional art spaces, inviting participants to join Wilson in exploring the concept of “oral communication.” Inspired by Plato’s Parmenides dialogues, the discussions delved into topics of “the known and unknown” and “awareness of the Absolute.” Wilson’s unique approach to art and communication continues to intrigue and inspire audiences to this day.

www.ftn-books.com has some titles with or on Ian Wilson available.

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Hans Bellmer (continued)

Born in Poland, but having spent most of his life in Paris, he led a reclusive existence and passed away in solitude in 1975. Only after his demise did the world begin to appreciate his art. Published books, exhibitions, and numerous sales followed, spanning across the globe. However, during his lifetime, he remained relatively unknown and uncelebrated due to his choice of subject matter.

It wasn’t until the final decade of his life that he gained recognition as one of the foremost surrealist artists of his time, particularly for his series of photographs on the doll, “La poupée,” which garnered international acclaim. In practically every one of his creations, his main theme centered around an erotic approach to his subjects. Themes of fetishism, voyeurism, and sadomasochism were recurrent, but the overtly sexual elements were not always immediately apparent. Often, one must analyze the composition of his work to uncover the erotic undertones within.

In 1959 and 1964, Bellmer finally received some recognition when he was invited to participate in the Documenta exhibition in Kassel.

In 1953, Bellmer began living with the writer Unica Zürn. Their relationship was a somber one, marked by seclusion and devoid of any social activities. They resided in the Hotel de l’Esperance in Paris, where Unica tragically took her own life by jumping out of a window in 1970. Bellmer passed away five years later, a solitary man. A melancholic existence for a greatly gifted artist. If one is unfamiliar with Bellmer, a good place to start is with Wikipedia, learning about his life and exploring the surreal world he has created. Our collection at www.ftn-books.com features some excellent titles on this fascinating artist.

www.ftn-books.com has a great selection of titles on Bellmer available.

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Bram van Velde (continued)

I have been working together with Koos for some time now and finally he decidced to part with his small but beautiful collection of Bram van Velde lithographs. These great works of art are now for sale at www.ftn-books.com.

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Vera Molnar ( 1924- 2023)

In 1924, in the vibrant city of Budapest, Hungary, a young and talented artist by the name of Molnár embarked on her artistic journey. At the mere age of eight, she began developing her skills, relentlessly laboring to perfect her craft. Her education led her down the path of Art History and Aesthetics at the esteemed Hungarian University of Fine Arts.

Continuing to hone her craft, Molnár had already built a substantial portfolio of traditional artwork by the time she delved into the world of generative and computer art. These innovative mediums would later become her claim to fame, earning her recognition and acclaim in the art world.

After receiving a scholarship to Rome, Molnár and her partner François moved to Paris in 1947. It was here that she would continue to thrive as an artist, eventually marrying her beloved partner. Settling into the Hungarian artistic community in Paris, the couple often frequented the bustling streets, spending evenings at the popular café, Le Select. This is where she encountered some of her greatest contemporaries, including the likes of Victor Vasarely, Fernand Léger, Kandinsky, and Brancusi.

www.ftn-books.com has several Molnar items now available.

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Pierre Klossowski (1905-2001)

Pierre Klossowski, a Parisian native, departed this world on 12 August 2001, leaving behind a rich legacy as a novelist, visual artist, translator, philosopher, critic, and even an actor. Born into a family of noble Polish descent, he was joined by his brother Balthus, an accomplished painter, three years after his arrival on 9 August 1905. One of his mother’s lovers, Rainer Maria Rilke, introduced him to André Gide, for whom he served as secretary during the composition period of his novel, The Counterfeiters.

In collaboration with Pierre Jean Jouve, Klossowski also translated Holderlin’s works. His association with Georges Bataille led him to join his secret society and contribute to the review, Acéphale. During World War II, he contemplated entering a monastery, an experience he later incorporated into his first novel, The Suspended Vocation, in a satirical manner. In 1947, he married Marie-Roberte Morin-Sinclaire, a member of the Resistance who was lightly fictionalized in his trilogy of erotic-philosophical novels, collectively known as The Laws of Hospitality.

Klossowski also ventured into the world of cinema, starring in Robert Bresson’s film Au hasard Balthazar. He even collaborated with Chilean expatriate Raúl Ruiz on two television films, one of which was an adaptation of The Suspended Vocation. In a unique twist, Klossowski played the role of Octave, his own character, in Pierre Zucca’s film Roberte, which depicts scenes from The Laws of Hospitality novels.

At the ripe age of ninety-six, Klossowski departed from this world, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and intrigue to this day. www.ftn-books.com has several Klossowski titles available.

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Hermann Nitsch(1938-2022)

The title “Blood” holds a significant meaning for the Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch. Since the early 1960s, he has curated more than 100 performances as part of his Orgien Mysterien Theater cycle. These performances, although centered around blood, are executed with meticulous care and thoughtful consideration. Nitsch directs and documents these performances, which involve naked individuals, an audience, blood, and canvases, creating truly magnificent works of art.

The performance itself is only one part of the larger art piece. The other part consists of the canvases, which are created using materials from the performances and sold by galleries all over the world. If you happen to find yourself in Vienna, be sure to inquire at the Tourist Office about any upcoming performances. And when you visit Naples, Italy, keep in mind that it is home to the largest Nitsch collection outside of Austria, housed in the http://www.museonitsch.org.

While Nitsch is known for his use of blood in his art, he is not the only one. Other artists, such as Marc Quinn, have also utilized blood in their work, freezing it into sculptures of human heads. And Eric Orr has used blood as paint for his paintings. Instead of being appalled by the use of blood in art, appreciate the beauty that can be created through its incorporation.

www.ftn-books.com has several Nitsch publications available