IDYLL IN HOLLAND, 1979-81

In Spring 1979 Bettie Ringma and I moved to Amsterdam where we lived on a houseboat on the Prinsengracht right opposite the Anne Frank House. Karen Kvernenes who ran the gallery and bookstore Art Something asked us to mount a small version of the Punk Art we had organized in Washington D.C.. For money, Bettie and I started selling instant Polaroid portraits in the city's bars and clubs. When Polaroid Corporation gave us free film to take second shots, Karen helped us organize the exhibition Amsterdam Privé. We were soon given the opportunity to translate our art into popular journalism by the high circulation weekly magazine Nieuwe Revu.

Posts tagged Chapter 4

On The Prinsengracht

From 1979-1981 artists Bettie Ringma and Marc Miller lived on a houseboat on the Prinsengracht opposite the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Idyll In Holland, 1979-81Marc H. MillerDecember 25, 2017Idyll In Holland, Chapter 4, On The Prinsengracht

Punk in Amsterdam

The 1979 “American Punk Art” exhibition at Art Something in Amsterdam received full coverage in the newspaper Parool but was roundly criticized in the Museum Journaal, Artzien, and by the Dutch punks at Gallerie Anus.

Idyll In Holland, 1979-81Marc H. MillerDecember 20, 2017Idyll In Holland, Chapter 4, Punk in Amsterdam, American Punk Art, Gerard Pas, Artzien

Amsterdam Polaroids

From 1979-1980, Marc H. Miller and Bettie Ringma worked as street photographers selling instant Polaroid portraits in the bars and clubs of Amsterdam. Free film from Polaroid Corporation allowed for second shots and the development of the exhibition Amsterdam Privé.

Idyll In Holland, 1979-81Marc H. MillerNovember 20, 2017Idyll In Holland, Amsterdam Prive, Amsterdam Privé, A Miller & Ringma Collaboration, Zon, Zon Exhibitionists, Mascotte, Camlica, Cascade, Zeedijk, Madame Arthur, Bar Goers, Bettie, Brigitte, Chapter 4

Nieuwe Revu

… Since many of the people frequenting the bars of Amsterdam were Nieuwe Revu readers, the article made us instant celebrities. From that point on, when we made our photographic rounds strangers greeted us by name and often followed us from bar to bar. Our business increased dramatically.

Idyll In Holland, 1979-81Marc H. MillerNovember 1, 2017Idyll In Holland, Chapter 4, Nieuwe Revu