tweedehands aquarel – English translation

The works of art for sale here on this website are second-hand. These works were once part of an art context, like exhibitions, installations, performances or other projects. They can be installations, sculptures, paintings or texts. The second-hand artworks were selected for this website in consultation with the artist, as well as the texts referring to the works of art.

tweedehands aquarel presents works by Suzanne van Rossenberg, painter and writer.

“I always catch myself in an archaeological approach of contemporary art: What motivates somebody to do actions which can be categorized as “art”? For the one it might be the desire to say things about aesthetics, for the other the belief that art could be a political weapon. For a third person it could be the most comfortable way to make money.

The future of art, that is made now, is unpredictable. Though some people are convinced that there will always be artists, this is rather uncertain in view of the precarious circumstances of artists.
How far are artists themselves convinced of the function of the art they are producing in contemporary society?

Artists have developed into small businessmen (f/m) and connoisseurs in marketing strategies. I don’t think this has anything to do with the cutting of subsidies or art budgets here in the Netherlands, but rather with an overall climate change in society, and the tendencies that followed in the art world. Is it not striking that not in the last place artists themselves insist on seeing their artistry as a job like any other job?

The one who nowadays finds time to make art, who can find ways to show it to an audience and who is able to reason a function of art, has more talent than only making art. These last years I see more and more artists deciding to develop in another field of work. And that stays invisible in the artworld.
"The great artist of tomorrow will go underground," Marcel Duchamp said in 1961, though Duchamp himself has not quite been invisible in art history.

On this website you find two series of watercolours of mine. The one is called 'Je bent het meest authentiek als je lijkt op wat je droomt' (You are the most authentic when you look like what you dream) and was part of the exhibition 'Playing Utopias' which was a collaboration with painter Stefan de Graaf. The other is called 'My struggle against perfect communication' and consist paintings of backgammon boards. Since February I organize backgammon competition evenings to play on my paintings.


Playing Utopias in 1646, Den Haag (2005); Second International Backgammon Competition Evening, Leiden (2006)

When I paint, I am not searching for the ultimate painting or to express my feelings in paint. I don’t think that any of my paintings are indispensable. To come back to my own question: What is my motivation for my actions that can be categorized as art? I paint and make exhibitions so I have something to write about.” (Suzanne van Rossenberg, June 2006)


Also read Short story no. 204


The prices of the watercolours are:
18x12cm - 50 euro
32,5x25cm - 100 euro
32,5x50cm - 125 euro
50x65cm - 150 euro
(All prices including tax. Delivered without frame)

Send an email to info@tweedehandsaquarel.nl

Tweedehandsaquarel.nl is researching how written fiction and non-fiction can contextualize (visual) art and determine its meaning. The commercial aspect of the website is the result of my question if my interests in art can go with money as medium of exchange. Art is a currency which' value is fixed based on criteria unclear to me. Thank you for visiting this website. Would you like to react? Email info@tweedehandsaquarel.nl

Suzanne van Rossenberg.

Check out www.suzannevanrossenberg.nl for more storylines.

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