AAAFRESH123 - fresh contemporary art by Rotterdam-based trio

 

Artists Hans Kleinjan (1958), Maikel Kleinjan (1984) and Roderik Faasen (1990) get a lot of work done in their studio in Rotterdam's Oude Noorden neighbourhood. Under the moniker AAAFRESH123, the trio has produced art that can be seen on display all over the world. The Rot terdam-based trio has presented their work at exhibitions in Milan, Antwerp and Los Angeles.

 

Almost all of the work is made together, which results in surprising and above all colourful paintings. The studio at Zaagmolenkade 123 in Rotterdam-Noord, an immense 700 square metre building, is full of paintings. Paint tins and easels with works in progress are everywhere.

 

 

The artists refer to their studio as the neighbourhood's livingroom. At any given time, friends might drop by and a DJ might start performing. It's the kind of place where there is always something going on. It is this hustle and bustle of activity that inspires the artists.

 

 

The three artists met in 2008. Back then, they were all doing their own thing, including drawing, airbrushing, photography, poetry and graphic design. Their shared passion for artistic expression led to the creation of a collective whose work is almost always made up of three people. Working together on one canvas provides surprising and exciting moments. Paintings suddenly change direction, as a brushstroke comes from nowhere and upends one artist's concept. This is actually what makes the art quite interesting. The artists constantly come up with new insights and reinforce each other's talents.

 

 

A visit to the studio can also be combined with a visit to GaleriAAA by Mangiare, an Italian restaurant next door. Indeed, some of the artwork is on display inside the restaurant. Every last Sunday of the month, they do a live painting session inside the restaurant.

Live painting is something they are particularly fond of. The trio has painted live on location at the North Sea Jazz Festival and the MTV Awards.

 

The reasoning behind the name AAAFRESH123 is actually simple. As Maikel Kleinjan explains it, 'fresh' was a word they used all the time and when making the move from Delfshaven to their new studio at Zaagmolenkade 123 they also saw it as a 'fresh' start. As for AAA, they thought it was a good fit, so that's how AAAFRESH123 was born.

 

 

Location: AAAFRESH123