Tomas Adolfs

Tomas Adolfs

11 August 2011
A Common Dialect: The Elementary Session
The Session took part in the project A Common Dialect at Marres, Maastricht. The project, curated by Femke Dekker , is a twofold inquiry into the concept of ‘school’ as a historical model for the self-organizing ability of artists, in the form of an exhibition and a so-called summer school.

Between July 15 and 24 the Session was publicly working on The Elementary Session in one of the exhibition spaces of Marres. Watch a short report by RTV Maastricht here.

Contributions by: Tomas Adolfs, Staffan Björk, Orpheu de Jong, Matthias Kreutzer, Kalle Mattsson, Jens Schildt, Tarja Szaraniec, Monica Tormell, Paulien Barbas, Marjolein Houbaer, Robin Vanbesien, Paul Gangloff and Abe Rechterschot.
10 August 2011
Temporary Entrance
Bungenäs is a small peninsula on the northeast coast of the Swedish island Gotland. In the past it was used for chalk mining and as a military base. Recently plans for a residential area have been developed.

Bungenäs Konstnärsvistelse invited Leif Holmstrand, Matts Leiderstam, Monica Tormell, Nina Canell, Robin Watkins, Petter Letho, Sara Vide and me to make a site specific work during a period of ten days.

I contributed with the installation ‘Temporary Entrance’ in which three artificial stones and a blank transparent flag mark the entrance to an area in ongoing transition.
22 April 2011
The Sun Session
The Session #12 thesunsession.nl will be online April 24th. Contributions by: Tomas Adolfs, Staffan Björk, Orpheu de Jong, Matthias Kreutzer, Kalle Mattsson, Jens Schildt, Tarja Szaraniec, Monica Tormell, Ninna Berger, Jessica Breitholtz Björk, Mats Björk, Constant Dullaart, Johannes Heldén, Regina Kelaita, Yvonne Lacet, Erica van Loon, Malin Persson, Ragnar Persson, Rafaël Rozendaal, Hamid Sallalli and Skeppet.

Below a limited preview of my contribution 'Sunny Scenery & Scenarios'
15 April 2011
New work: Bushiribana Strata
‘Bushiribana Strata’ is a collection of works made during the residency on Aruba. It consists of a fountain, a series of three photos depicting ‘wishing stones’ and a drawing framed in tinted car glass.

The works revolve around the Bushiribana area located on the rough north coast of Aruba. The landscape, with a mythical character, carries subtle human interventions made by gold diggers in the beginning of the 20th century and recently by the tourist industry. Together they form a hybrid reality.

Exemplary are the ‘wishing stones’, a myth made up by tourist operators. Tourists are told to pile stones and make a wish. As long as the pile stands, their wish will come true. The result is a coastline with hundreds of sculptures that contribute to a, fake but impressive ‘Easter Island/Stonehenge’ scenery.

The complete ‘Bushiribana Strata’ can be seen at Ateliers ’89, Aruba (until May 8th).
The photos of the ‘wishing stones’ are currently part of the exhibition 'Mas o menos Aruba y dibujos' at Nieuwe Vide, Haarlem (until May 8th).
15 April 2011
Instituto Buena Bista, Curacao 2011
Back on Curacao, working at Instituto Buena Bista untill the beginning of june. Me and Monica Tormell are keeping a blog here.
15 April 2011
My love, which is a builing
'Urban Crux' (2007) will be on display in the groupshow 'My love, Which is a Builing' curated by Martijn Lucas Smit, among works by Marissa Evers, K. Hoeben, Jan van de Pavert, André Pielage, Sandro Setola.

Projectspace 37pk
Groot Heiligland 37, Haarlem
April 22nd - May 29th
More info here.

Photos by Martijn Lucas Smit.
13 April 2011
Souvenir Festival Aruba
'Souvenir Festival' marked the end of a three month residency on Aruba. After giving workshops and realising our individual work, me, Tarja Szaraniec, Monica Tormell and Orpheu de Jong collaborated by developing the concept and organised the festival together with our host Ateliers '89. Local and international artists, students, designers, musicians, performers, researchers, writers and cooks were invited to take part or to contribute a work.

'Souvenir Festival' evolved around the subject 'souvenir' in the broadest sense of the word. Ranging from a tourists wannahave to the original French meaning: memory or memento. It touches matters as authenticity, fiction and constructed reality. For instance think of: mass produced tokens in light of authentic memory, diluted histories & forgotten places.

The festival took place April 8 & 9. The exhibition will continue until the 8th of May. More information and images can be found here.

The Souvenir Festival is supported by: Mondriaan Stichting, Fonds BKVB, De Vertegenwoordiging van Nederland, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Stichting Doen, Romar Trading.
14 February 2011
Working on Aruba
Working and teaching at Ateliers '89. A big final presentation with works of me, Monica Tormell, Orpheu de Jong, Tarja Szaraniec, students, local artists, musicians, food and much more will take place in the beginning of April.

Supported by Fonds BKVB
23 September 2010
The Keys Project
Foundation Frankendael commissioned nine artists to make a new work reflecting the past and present of the residual homestead Huize Frankendael and the histories of its former residents. These works are now part of the foundations permanent collection. Participating artist are: Tomas Adolfs, Lawrence Bailey, Judith van Ijken, Saskia Noor van Imhoff, Johanneke Lamoraal Wichers, Bas Louter, Erik Odijk, Sara Rajaei & Mascha de Vries.

I contributed with a work relating to former (city)architect Ben Merkelbach that resided in Huize Frankendael between 1956 and 1961.

Opening: 30 September 2010. 17.00 - 19.00
Open: 2 - 30 October every Thursday to Sunday 11.00-17.00
From November on every Sunday 11.00-17.00

Huize Frankendael, Middenweg 72, Amsterdam

Supported by Fonds BKVB
20 September 2010
The Sample Session
'The Sample Session' is a 10 inch vinyl record containing 54 audio samples.

Contributions by: Nicolai and Tomas Adolfs, Elinor Archer, Andre Avelas, Mats and Staffan Björk, Ian Brown, Gerbrand Burger, Colophon/Mobile Carrion, Cotopaxi, Attila Csihar/Void Ov Voices, Rickard Daun, Sam de Groot, Orpheu de Jong, Lars Ekman, Elfenbeinturm, Emmusica, Erratic Boulder, Fyoelk, Willum Geerts, Sæmundur Thor Helgason, Will Holder, Yutaka Hoshino, Henrik Kihlberg, Klaus, Jesse Koolhaas, Matthias Kreutzer, Cindy Lee, Luva, Maia Lyon-Daw, Simon J Mason, Kalle Mattsson, Moemlien, Finn Öhlund, Stephen O’Malley, Leo Park, Taatske Pieterson, Lisa Premke, PTTRNS, Jonathan Sachse Mikkelsen, Alban Schelbert, Jens Schildt, Floris Schönfeld, Strange Boutique, Stuff Linear, Clas Svahn/UFO-Sweden, Tarja Szaraniec, TAPE THAT/Christophe Meierhans & Koen Nutters, Monica Tormell, Tarvo Varres, Joris Verdoodt, Simon Wald-Lasowski, Henrik Wallin, Eli Walter with Jules van Hal & Amber van den Eeden and Hollie Witchey with John Blackford.

It was released at Kulter September 11th.

I contributed with a bird sound that I recorded in an empty pool on Curacao earlier this year. Listen to it here.

Image of the record taken by Galleri Krets. Image of the release party at Kulter by Regina Kelaita
15 May 2010
New works at the Kunstvlaai/Artpie 2010
Back in Amsterdam! Working at IBB was great. Coming back to Curacao also offered me the opportunity to continue working on the ‘Paradise Complex’ project that I started there in 2009. It resulted in two new works that will be presented in the Plan B stand at Kunstvlaai/Artpie.

Plan B at Kunstvlaai/Artpie
Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam
May 15th-23rd
Location: Gashouder
With: Monca Tormell, Tarja Szaraniec & Orpheu de Jong
05 March 2010
Curacao 2010
Back on Curacao to work a at IBB between 2nd of March & 1th of May
09 February 2010
Urban Crux in Stockholm
Urban Crux will be presented at 'Contemporary Skills'
February 10-14, open daily between 12.00 & 20.00
Bondegatan 11 at Bernstrand & Co, Stockholm

Opening night: Wednesday 10, between 20.00 & 01.00
14 January 2010
The Sweded Session
Last week the "The Sweded Session" took place in Malmö, Sweden. Videoworks of 13 artists and designers were made during one week. The video's are shown in a specially constructed cinema at the gallery Krets that invited and hosted the Session. They are also available on a DVD accompanied with a script that contains source material and additional information. Order a copy by mailing the Session.

I contributed with a video entitled: Manipulating a snow-covered playground with a, fan-shaped, silver-plated piece of Styrofoam, commonly used as floor isolation. Watch it here.
19 October 2009
Time Capsule Burial
The time capsule was buried saturday evening, October 17th 2009.
24 September 2009
The Last Session
Last weekend ' the Last Session’ started in de Brakke Grond, Amsterdam.

In collaboration with Jan Van Woensel , the Session curated a special edition around the theme 'Endism'. The Last Session and is not only a hard copy publication, but also takes the form of an international group exhibition, performances, curated film screenings, and live bands.

I contributed with a concrete time capsule. The capsule, carrying secret content to another age, is now presented in the exhibition and will be buried at the finissage.
31 August 2009
The Amsterdam Session
The Session #8: 'the Amstedam Session' is out now!

The Amsterdam Session contains contribution by:
Jens Schildt, Staffan Björk, Monica Tormell, Matthias Kreutzer, Tomas Adolfs,Tarja Szaraniec, Kalle Mattsson, Orpheu De Jong, Jacqueline Schoemaker, Karl Nawrot, Bart de Baets and Elise van Iterson.

Paperback, 80 pages, 6.63" x 10.25", Perfect binding, White interior paper 60gm, Black and white interior ink, White exterior paper 100gm, Full-color exterior ink, printed at: Lulu

Order 'the Amsterdam Session' here:
theamsterdamsessions@gmail.com

More info on the Session here:
www.thesession.nl
23 June 2009
Installation: Paradise Complex
The installation 'Paradise Complex' that I made on Curacao is finished. It's based on an abandon resort located between the notorious 'Bon Futoro' prison and the populair 'Seaquarium Beach'.

A publication with images of the resort is in the works.
15 April 2009
On Curacao Now!
On Curacao since two weeks! I started working on a video about an abandon resort. Here are some still-images:
15 April 2009
The Obsession
The latest issue of the Session is called "The Obsession". It's blue, offset printed, A4 and come in an edition of 200.

'The Obession' took place on the 18th of January 2009 in the European Zen Center and contains contributions by: Jens Schildt, Staffan Björk, Monica Tormell, Tomas Adolfs, Tarja Szaraniec, Kalle Mattsson, Orpheu De Jong, Noa Giniger, Johann Kauth, Carl Johan Högberg, Femke Dekker & Nicole Martens.

Wallpaper is a great outlet for Obsessions. As a kid I used to be obsessed with pealing the wallpaper next to my bed, I had to do it every night before I went to sleep. My parents hated it, but I was very pleased with the spooky shapes that I'd created. This is why I contributed with a piece of wallpaper, painted white, similar to the one in my old bedroom.

You can order 'the Obsession' by sending an e-mail to: theamsterdamsessions@gmail.com
12 February 2009
Going to Curaçao!
Great news! Fonds BKVB offers me the opportunity to live and work at IBB Curaçao. The residency will take from April until July. More info soon.
03 December 2008
out now: "the psychedelic session"
On November 22nd we released "the Psychedelic Session". It's stencilprinted, full color, and contains contribution by:

Experimental Jetset, Parra, Kalle Runeson, Jens Schildt, Staffan Björk, Monica Tormell, Tomas Adolfs, Tarja Szaraniec, Matthias Kreutzer, Kalle Mattsson and Orpheu De Jong.

I contributed with a collage of postcards, made in New York.

More info about "the Session" here.
07 October 2008
Five fast architectural sketches
Made during: D.U.M.B.O. Art Under The Bridge Festival
Two mirrors, found objects and trash.
Brooklyn, New York
26 September 2008
07 October 2008
The Holiday Session
We’re doing a fanzine with a group of friends called: "the Session".

This summer we released issue #5 "The Holiday Session". It contains 12 slides linked to audio files on a cd-r. Contributions by: Jens Schildt, Staffan Björk, Monica Tormell, Tomas Adolfs, Tarja Szaraniec, Matthias Kreutzer, Kalle Mattsson, Orpheu De Jong, Magali Reus, Els Moors and Dan Park. For more information visit our Myspace.

Coming up: "The Psychedelic Session"