Fun in Cologne...
Last thursday, we drove to Cologne for Art Fair 21. To avoid traffic, and because we had all the time in the world, we left around 10am on an easy, laid back drive into Germany. It was noon when I parked at the train station, so we first got a bite to eat.
There really isn't that much interesting to see in Cologne to be honest. Sure, the Dom is pretty and so is the Altstadt, but that's about it. Cologne is mostly about shopping, and that, unfortunately, is what we did.
It took a while, but I found a sweater, 2 shirts and socks, and then, thank god, it was time to head to EXPO XXI for the show. We dropped the shopping bags in my car and then headed to the Gladbacher Wall.
Strychnin Gallery had provided us with VIP tickets, which was very nice. It got us into the 'grand opening' and the VIP Lounge.
The place was busy, but we quickly located David Hochbaum, Raf Veulemans and Daniël Van Nes, and after a drink, went upstairs with them to the exhibition hall and the Strychnin Booth.
They had work by Ansgar Noeth, Wee Flowers, Bijou, Daniël Van Nes, Marc Janssens, Raf Veulemans, Madeline von Foerster, Virginie Ropars and David Hochbaum (most of which was sold so I just heard).
We met up with Yasha, Cookie, Graham, Iris and Madeline von Foerster, had a little chat and then went to see the rest of the show.
The place was packed and rather interesting, unlike the art fairs I've visited lately. There were actually a number of works I'd buy myself (if I had that kind of money). The quality of the presented work was very high.
Back at the Strychnin booth, some people were acting a bit strange...
Don't know what was up with them.
And then we went for a cocktail, courtesy of Bombay Sapphire gin, who were sponsoring the event. I had a Bombay Crushed with Kumquats and Isabelle had a Bombay Bramble with... other stuff...
I'm not much of a cocktail drinker, but this was rather yummy!
And then, after another tour of the place, it was time to say our goodbyes. We walked back to the train station and had something to eat there. Then it was back in the car for a 2 hour drive back home.
All in all, a fun day.
There really isn't that much interesting to see in Cologne to be honest. Sure, the Dom is pretty and so is the Altstadt, but that's about it. Cologne is mostly about shopping, and that, unfortunately, is what we did.
It took a while, but I found a sweater, 2 shirts and socks, and then, thank god, it was time to head to EXPO XXI for the show. We dropped the shopping bags in my car and then headed to the Gladbacher Wall.
Strychnin Gallery had provided us with VIP tickets, which was very nice. It got us into the 'grand opening' and the VIP Lounge.
The place was busy, but we quickly located David Hochbaum, Raf Veulemans and Daniël Van Nes, and after a drink, went upstairs with them to the exhibition hall and the Strychnin Booth.
They had work by Ansgar Noeth, Wee Flowers, Bijou, Daniël Van Nes, Marc Janssens, Raf Veulemans, Madeline von Foerster, Virginie Ropars and David Hochbaum (most of which was sold so I just heard).
We met up with Yasha, Cookie, Graham, Iris and Madeline von Foerster, had a little chat and then went to see the rest of the show.
The place was packed and rather interesting, unlike the art fairs I've visited lately. There were actually a number of works I'd buy myself (if I had that kind of money). The quality of the presented work was very high.
Back at the Strychnin booth, some people were acting a bit strange...
Don't know what was up with them.
And then we went for a cocktail, courtesy of Bombay Sapphire gin, who were sponsoring the event. I had a Bombay Crushed with Kumquats and Isabelle had a Bombay Bramble with... other stuff...
I'm not much of a cocktail drinker, but this was rather yummy!
And then, after another tour of the place, it was time to say our goodbyes. We walked back to the train station and had something to eat there. Then it was back in the car for a 2 hour drive back home.
All in all, a fun day.