Part of the “Belloni Advanced Research and Development” series by Bram Belloni is from September until October 2024 on display at Kunsttraject Amsterdam, Staatsliedenbuurt.
In this series, beginning visual artist Bram Belloni (NL) is working on a methodology for, and document the process of, becoming an artist.
Go to the locations and read more:
Kunsttraject Amsterdam
Kunsttraject curates window galleries in the Staatsliedenbuurt and Zeeheldenbuurt neighborhoods, liven up public spaces and providing artists with unique opportunities to display their work.
Disciplines include visual arts, photography, and video art. Bram Belloni’s work can be found in the photography windows, marked by the blue dots at Bentinckstraat and Cliffordstraat.
Bentinckstraat 23
proof of concept, 2022
Collage, H 92 x W 127 x D5 cm
Photographic prints (RC prints & digital prints) and mixed media
The Business of becoming an Artist – a proof of concept
The first step in becoming an artist is creating an optimal physical workspace.
A place for focus, creativity, and productivity, even with challenges like space limitations and financial constraints.
To overcome these challenges, Bram Belloni is developing a “workplace code”.
Inspired by how larger organizations operate (The Toyota Way, Skunkworks/Lockheed, the US Navy) and by fellow artists and craftsmen.
Recurring themes are; workplace organisation and inventarisation, specifications (“Show me the specs, and I define its purpose”), efficiency and consistency and treating the workspace like a temple (“It will set you free”).
“The main floor of the studio is Sacred Space. This includes all surfaces in the shop, welding booth, office, bunker and kitchen.
Respect of this place is essential.“
excerpt from: TEN BULLETS, Working to code
– by Tom Sachs
Show me the specs, and define its purpose, 2023
Collage, H 30,2 x W 40 x D 2,2 cm
Mixed media
The Workspace – Specifications
The characteristics of The Workspace in specifications. Its physical dimensions, available light, designated occupancy.
This defines the possibilities of the space (or any other object). What you can do in it, or with it.
And eventually what results it will produce – its purpose.
Bentinckstraat 25
Nutritions for 1-2 weeks including lunch, snacks and beverages, 2023
Trichrome photographic image, H 75 x W 100 cm
Fuji Flex RA4 photographic paper (c-type, digital printed), framed
The Workspace – Inventory
The “Workspace – Inventory” series is a collection of still lives of inventory, stock, supplies and other objects present in the workshop of Bram Belloni.
Here shown are the nutritions to fuel the artist for a week or two of work.
Captured in a registration photograph. And ordered with the nutritional facts labels presented in front (specifications) instead of the branding.
Showing energy, carbs, proteins, fat and supplier information.
(click for larger image)
Trichrome: Color images on Black and White analog film
The color photographs in The Workplace series are shot with regular black and white film.
By using the color separation process you capture three black-and-white shots, each with a red, green, or blue (RGB) filter.
Each of these black-and-white negatives represents one primary color. When combined, these three images merge to form a full-color RGB photograph.
This is the same process used in the very first color photography in the 1800s (source). And results in very livid colors, which tends to be slightly off in perception.
Ahold Delhaize (AMS:AD).
Trichrome photographic image, H 22 x W 17,7 cm
Fuji Flex RA4 photographic paper (c-type, digital printed), framed
Doing what’s right, every day
Every methodology is built on guiding principles, often summed up by a simple, memorable motto. These mottos, due its simplified form, might seem completely meaningless. Yet at the same time, carry a deep zen-like wisdom.
In “Mission Statements & Core Values,” Bram Belloni not only develops his own guiding principles but also explores the mission statements, core values, and mottos of his preferred suppliers.
One example is Ahold Delhaize, whose subsidiary Albert Heijn BV is a key provider of food for those in the Belloni Advanced Research and Development workshop.
Cliffordstraat 10
H 30,4 x W 24,5 x D 3 cm
Acrylic paint on wooden panel
The Workspace – Ethics & Codes
Intrigued by corporate mottos (see Bentinckstraat 25), Bram Belloni has begun developing his own guiding statements into his art practice.
These loose, open-ended statements guide him toward good practice while prompting continuous questioning and refinement of his approach.
Frameworks to remind him to be intentional with every action, ensuring that his process is as deliberate as the final product.
Rules to work by, and to live by.
BEARS ON THE ROAD CLUB SHIRT
SHIRT, “T”, FIELD
size M (US)
cotton
grade used
supplier Champion U.S.A.
for use in dirt & field environments
BEARS ON THE ROAD CLUB
For everyone who always sees problems (bears) along the road:
/ We must prepare in order to prosper.
/ You are not alone.
Cliffordstraat 16
Modular Organizer System, Cleaning Unit (Small)
Type 0 (prototype)
French cleat compartible
In rest (left) and work position (right)
Trichrome photographic image, H 24 x W 30 cm on H 28 x W 35 cm print (c-type, digital printed, matte)
The Workspace – Inventory
In “The Workspace – Inventory” series Bram Belloni turns the idea of the artist workspace as an effective and organised environment into practice.
He incorporates principles from methods like “The Toyota Way” and how the larger corporations and fellow artists operate. To keep tools, materials and stock well-organized and maintained.
This methodical approach ensures that everything has its place, making the artistic process more efficient and productive. And with the peace of mind this brings, a place where creativity can flow more freely and naturaly.
Comms – Radio receiver with AIR & CB band for monitoring AMS/Schiphol air traffic above the workshop
French cleat compartible
Photographic image, H 24 x W 30 cm on H 28 x W 35 cm print (c-type, digital printed, matte)
On display at Cliffordstraat 16:
Inventory (black and white/sepia print)
| Inventory – Tool Unit, fastners (S) | Apperal – Footwear, general use |
| Inventory – Cleaning Unit (S), dust removal | Inventory – Communications, receiver |
Inventory (color print)
| Inventory – Cleaning Unit (S), stain and oil removal | Staff – Hands |
| Inventory – Mugs, with specifications applied | Inventory – Cleaning Unit, remote use |
“With these hands I build”
Type 0 (prototype)
Trichrome photographic image, H 24 x W 30 cm on H 28 x W 35 cm print (c-type, digital printed, matte)
Make it your own
One aspect in ordering your environment is making it your own – literally.
Build your own storage systems, your own tools and tool sets, group them, color-code them, design visual control workflows.
The items pictured in the “The Workspace – Inventory” series are a registration of this process. A temporary snap-shot of this (ever) on-going process.
Works for sale
The Workspace – Supplies
Nutritions for 1-2 weeks including lunch, snacks and beverages
Year: 2023
Edition: 1/3 + 1 AP, signed & numbered
Dimensions: H 75 x W 100 cm (photo print, including 30mm white space)
Material: Trichrome photographic image, digitally printed on Fuji Flex RA4 photographic paper on 2mm dibond, framed, museum glass
Price: 950,00 euro – SOLD OUT
Mission Statements & Core Values
Ahold Delhaize (AMS:AD)
Year: 2024
Edition: 1/9 + 1 AP, signed & numbered
Dimensions: H 22 x W 17,7 cm (image), H 33 x W 27 x D 3,3 cm (frame)
Edition LARGE (not on display): 1/3 + 1 AP
Dimensions: available on request
Material: Trichrome photographic image, digitally printed on Fuji Flex RA4 photographic paper, framed, museum glass
Price: 350,00 euro
The Workspace – Inventory
– Tool Unit (S)
– Footwear
– Cleaning Unit (S), dust
– Comms
Year: 2023
Edition: unlimited, stamped
Dimensions: H 24 x W 30 cm (image), H 28 x W 35 (print)
Material: photographic image, digitally printed on c-type print, matte
Price: 65,00 euro (each)
The Workspace – Inventory
– Cleaning Unit (S), stains & oils
– Hands
– Mugs
– Cleaning Unit, remote
Year: 2023 – 2024
Edition: unlimited, stamped
Dimensions: H 24 x W 30 cm (image), H 28 x W 35 (print)
Material: Trichrome photographic image, digitally printed on c-type print, matte
Price: 65,00 euro (each)
How to order?
Please contact Kunsttraject by email by clicking the button below.
And include:
- The title of the art work
- Your email and telephone number
- Further questions and remarks
We reply within 2 business days for payment details and delivery.
The fine print
Orders and pricing include:
- The artwork as displayed (including frame as shown)
- In same materials and dimensions as displayed, and as stated above
- Shipping within the Netherlands
- Pricing and invoicing includes BTW / Dutch VAT
- Delivery within 4 weeks after payment
- Payment via bankstransfer (bankoverschrijving)
About pricing
Proceeds will go in unequal parts to:
- The materials of the artwork
- The Dutch tax office
- Kunsttraject Amsterdam
- The artist
About Kunsttraject
Stichting Kunsttraject is an artist initiative based in the West district of Amsterdam. Kunsttraject curates exhibitions in shop windows throughout the Staatsliedenbuurt and Zeeheldenbuurt neighborhoods. The organization also runs visual arts projects, primarily within the West district.
Read more: www.kunsttrajectamsterdam.nl
About Bram Belloni
Bram Belloni (The Netherlands, 1976) has been working as freelance editorial photographer for magazines, news papers and clients in the scientific and cultural sector for over two decades.
Since 2022 he started working on more personal, autonomous work – as emerging visual artist.
Photography, with its wide array of techniques and visual culture, plays a large role in this new work.
This combined with other visual techniques (collage, print and signage, visual communication), is the starting point in his search for his identity as artist – and the search in establishing a sustainable art practice.
Art about art, and the art practice as a business.
“I’m in the business of becoming an artist”
@belloni_rd
Read more: www.brambelloni.com
or follow: @belloni_rd