I am studying at the academy of fine arts in maastricht, netherlands. I have been quite happy with that (I am still). we have an awarded design building (wiel arets was the architect), great workshops, a mix of dutch and german students (and some from other foreign countries) and what is the best: tolerant and open-minded professors (if you are not stupid they let you do what you want to do). but the academy is just a department of the educative institute hogeschool zuyd, which has been voted to the best hogeschool in 2007 (maybe they bought somebody over). but since the academy is up to one’s ears in debt, the institute is focusing on efficiency and the quality is fading away. that’s why the students of the academy (the video department was the initiator) came together at 11:55 at the herdenkingsplein, the forecourt of the academy, to demonstrate that they don’t want to accept the situation.

a quotation from the website of the abk maastricht – a hilarious mission when you watch the truth:

‘This World Needs Us!
The above slogan is a core principle for the Academy of Fine Art Maastricht (ABKM); not only because many of the academy ’s graduates find work immediately following their academic time thanks to our collaboration with the professional world, but also because we receive many requests from the business world and (art) institutions to work together with them during their studies. We are happy to exploit this interaction. To do that, we need talented and motivated students.’

‘we won’t let the quality be buried’

r.i.p. quality

11:55 was the time everbody showed up at the herdenkingsplein

the cruxes as a symbol for dead quality

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there is this town in america where everbody wants to spend a night (at least the day) once in his lifetime. (I think tijuana, mexico, has more ambience) it’s in the middle of nowhere and is made up of one avenue, called ‘the strip’. (no, people are not naked on that street) the good part is that las vegas is the only city in the u.s.a where you can drink on public places, including the street. so, that’s what you see – a lot people walking around with beer and margaritas (you can buy them for 99¢). I spend 2 days at the venetian pool deck in the tao beach and observed people passing by. I was so bored that I was even thinking about marriage in one of this wedding chaples. just for fun – like britney does it.

is it christina, but where is britney?

he ordered a ‘candy’ in the evening because it was written: ‘totally nude – full service – to your room in 20 min or less – special 35$’

hm..I choose my tattoos in a book at the tattoo studio and they are awful

jeans hotpans are trendy again (and pink highlights)

caught in the act

‘your bikini would look great on my bedroom floor’

gas station in los angeles – I saw it once in a presentation of jürgen meyer h.

los angeles – venice beach – sport booths

live large here – yes, indeed

matt van natta – knows everything. a waitress told him once that hamilton(10$) is the best looking man on money

greg gardy, justin morrison an his cat with the summer look (pay attention to the tail)

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some research center in san diego – looks like a ‘the man in black’ hq entry

that’s how the mini street stores in tijuana, mexico, look like when they are closed

for any mum and especially for my mum!

that was los angeles. (I am in san diego now) some moments. some creatives. it’s still a holiday. ma holiday. (yeah, I should say vacation) don’t expect long stories. pictures have more to say than words, I heard.

andy cline -check out re-title.com (International contemporary art listings guide and directory of artists worldwide)

the million dollar hotel (do you remember the wim wenders movie?)

paul linkogle – an american creative with an austrian name

without a trace film set

simon & garfunkel poster at california select, sunset boulevard