FundamentallySound Blog

In a way the newest new I have seen on this trip has been the architecture and graphic design of Holland. Paris feels a bit retro. The supermodern approach of the Dutch, playful and simultaneously guarded, is much more avant than what I feel in France. For example, La Defense is all about scale, its size is what is important, that and the one-trick pony of the big hole in the middle of the Arch. But scale is no longer interesting really, it's a tired criteria by which to judge art/music/architecture. It is rooted in the superficial oh-wow factor. Now, Hills Not Skyscrapers, are interesting.

The new Marc Bain exhibit underneath the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam was a treat. The opening party was full of pomp and circumstance, lots of bureaucratic suits toasting the success of their number pushing. But it paid off. The exhibit itself is down in a catacomb, one has to be lowered into the space on a very shaky lift. Once inside, the deep low rumble is almost painfully loud, but not quite. That and the sound of a waterfall around the other side of the wall are what meet the senses. When you cross over into the opposite room, huge strobes flash while a giant mechanical geyser sprays a huge stream of water down the center of the room. It's an overwhelming effect, reminding one of the intensely unnatural and precarious lengths to which the Dutch have gone to keep their heads above water in this city of canals. Really, I think it's the best installation I've seen in a very long time. And it's only on show for four days, ending next weekend.

Strangely, the St. Lazare metro stop in Paris bore a striking resemblance to the Bain exhibit.

Tonight was a very relaxing dinner of that most popular of French foods, cous–cous. Lee and I ate with Rémi and Antonin at our fave joint in the 18th. As usual, Antonin was full of progressive and fascinating ideas about the diffusion of art into the international market and clever ways of branding one's work.

He's leaving for Tokyo soon, I'm sure he'll be able to put that knowledge to good use.

Recently arriving in Paris from Tokyo is lots of Yohji Yamamoto clothes, his work is on exhibit at the Musée de la Mode et du Textile. It's a good show, the curators pulling it together in a way that was grounded in the 80's scene Yohji helped create. The videos were all being shown on those old Sony monitors with VHS tape players set in loop mode. Rows of florescent lights lit the couture, all very clean and sharp 80's style lines and phosphorescence. I can't help but think that Yohji's face is always a bit melancholy. I like that about him.

In Amsterdam last week, Robert van Heumen and I had a nice show at STEIM. I enjoy playing with him, it's like a game, which of us can surprise the other the most with our sounds and how can we knit the disparate threads.

Our second set was introspective and full of space, Robert working on a smaller time–frame than myself, together I felt it was one of our better performances. And many thanks to the amazing STEIM for putting me up and putting up with me for the last two weeks. Amsterdam was a real pleasure. I miss that hot city already.