Martijn Sandberg
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More Good News

More Good News

The metres-high, square artwork by Martijn Sandberg in the entrance hall of the new Mediavaert building in Amsterdam, marks, as a ‘sign on the wall’, the location, from afar and nearby. In the vertical lines of the figuration in relief, a message appears, from different viewing angles, sculpted from a sole piece of natural stone. It is a news message for every day, timeless and of all times - from yesterday, for today and tomorrow: ‘More Good News’.
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Opgelet! Kunstwerk! Opgelet!

Opgelet! Kunstwerk! Opgelet!

The Art Bridge on Boelegracht in Amsterdam Zuidas, was recently opened and festively unveiled. Martijn Sandberg has created a bridge, where the artwork and the bridge form one whole. From the vertical line play of the free-standing, gold-coloured steel bars, a figuration emerges in relief: ‘Attention! Artwork! Attention!’ It is a bridge as a work of art, a work of art as a bridge. The artwork plays with the essential question ‘What is an artwork?’ As it happens, a bridge is also called ‘a work of art’ - ‘een kunstwerk’ - in Dutch architectural terminology. The bridge brings an ode to public art in general and is likewise a tribute to the bridge as architectural phenomenon.
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De Oude Weg Naar De Nieuwe Tijd

De Oude Weg Naar De Nieuwe Tijd

Martijn Sandberg has created an integrated artwork for the gateways and the floor of the new building project 'Spaarndammerhart' in the Spaarndammer district, Amsterdam. The artwork is an integral part of the building complex by Korth Tielens Architecten, Marcel Lok Architect MLA, and DS Landschapsarchitecten. The site-specific art by Martijn Sandberg is executed as a brick relief in the masonry of the three archways and within paving stones upon the floor to the interior courtyard: 'De Oude Weg Naar De Nieuwe Tijd'.
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Make Love Not War

Make Love Not War

The site-specific artwork ‘Make Love Not War’ by Martijn Sandberg, forms part of the transformation of the former Tapijn Barracks (Tapijnkazerne), Maastricht. The artwork figuration is incorporated in the paving of the main path, using bricks. It lies in the park-like surroundings of the former military terrain. A never-ending 'canon', a 'refrain' of each time is written in stone: 'Make Love Not War, Make Love Not War, Make Love'.
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U Bevindt Zich Hier

U Bevindt Zich Hier

The artwork 'U Bevindt Zich Hier' ('You Are Here') by Martijn Sandberg, honours prominent residents, groups or places highlighting the character of District Amsterdam Oost in the twentieth century. Consisting of more than 20 columns, the artwork is located on the Oranje Vrijstaatkade, from City Office Oost, alongside the facade of the former Ooster gasworks and on the waterside of the residential area to the corner by the Polderweg.
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Hier Komt Kunst

Hier Komt Kunst

Public artwork ‘Hier Komt Kunst’ ('Reserved For Art'), with special clay bricks manufactured for the writing on the wall. It can be read in all directions - from left to right and in the opposite direction, from right to left. From announcing to questioning the announcement of a work of art: ‘Hier Komt Kunst’, ‘Komt Hier Kunst'? (‘Here Comes Art’, ‘Comes Art Here’?)
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Silence Please Science Please

Silence Please Science Please

Martijn Sandberg has realised a site-specific artwork: an acoustic wall in the interior of the newly constructed Gorlaeus Beta Campus of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FWN), University of Leiden. The perforated artwork is twenty metres long, seven metres high and lit from within. A sequence of words appears in the pattern of circles when the artwork is viewed from different sightlines. The words may be read in succession from left to right - but also from right to left, from above to below, from below to above and in diagonal reading order: 'Silence Please Science Please'.
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One More Wall Well Done

One More Wall Well Done

Martijn Sandberg has realised a site-specific artwork on the Southern facade of the First building, on the Weena in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The brick facade relief covers a wall surface measuring three and half metres high and twenty seven metres long. A message has been left on the wall, written in relief with brick letters two and half metres high. A text becomes visible in the play of light and shadow: 'One more wall well done'.
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De Sleutel Ligt Onder De Deurmat

De Sleutel Ligt Onder De Deurmat

Martijn Sandberg's site-specific artwork is integrated with the communal corner stair belonging to De Zilverling tower building at the Colijnstraat in Amsterdam. A secret message lurks among the layers of the concrete stair treads. A message left unobtrusively, for your eyes only: 'the key is under the doormat'.
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Morgen Komt Alles Goed

Morgen Komt Alles Goed

A rectangular paved artwork by Martijn Sandberg, is an integral part of the Kraaipan Square at the Hofmeyrstraat in the Transvaalbuurt, Amsterdam. Lines delineate a text in the paving, a hidden message to the square's visitors, neighbourhood residents and passers-by. Over and over again when seeing it anew, today and every day: 'Tomorrow everything will be alright'.
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Melodie

Melodie

The site-specific artwork 'Melodie' by Martijn Sandberg, is an integral part of the masonry of the residential block Couperus, Ypenburg, Den Haag. The stanza from Louis Couperus' poem 'Melodie' (1886) is incorporated into the vertical and horizontal brick pattern of the façade, in dark coloured bricks in deep relief.
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My Last Penny

My Last Penny

'My Last Penny' by Martijn Sandberg is available in a multiple edition, issued by the Vereniging voor Penningkunst VPK/ Dutch Art Medal Society. The art medal refers to financial crisis. 'My Last Penny' in the outstretched hand of the artist. Donation or plea? Benefaction or begging? Charity or fast-change trick? A true confession or sham poverty?
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U Heeft Tien Bewaarde Berichten

U Heeft Tien Bewaarde Berichten

Martijn Sandberg's site-specific artwork on the concrete wall in the entrance hall of the Synagogue LJG in Amsterdam, refers to the location in a contemporary manner. While looking at the interplay of light and lines high on the wall, the contours of letters become visible. A radiant message appears to the visitor. A message from above. Art with a message - from yesterday, today and tomorrow. When entering and leaving the Synagogue. A vision for now and forever more: 'You have ten saved messages'.
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Het Wapen van Lochem

Het Wapen van Lochem

A façade artwork by Martijn Sandberg graces the Lochem Town Hall. A visitor to the Town Hall sees a concrete façade relief, built into the very frontage. The emblem describes the Lochem coat of arms. It arouses an association with centuries-old banderoles and modern banners. When sunbeams illuminate it, it resembles a digital display.
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Glass Fragile Handle With Care

Glass Fragile Handle With Care

A figuration of dots has been realized on the transparent glass of the gallery and balconies by 'damaging' the glass surface through sandblasting. The point raster resembles the grid of a protective plastic bubble foil. A series of letters appears within the point raster, making an unending, continuous text visible over the full length of the glass. As if pre-printed packing tape has been pasted over the façade in four strips: 'Fragile, Glass, Handle With Care, Fragile, Glass, Handle With Care.'
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I Will Survive

I Will Survive

'I Will Survive' is a freestanding, golden-coloured sculpture by Martijn Sandberg, in Hardenberg, the Netherlands. It is located at the Mulopad, between the building LOC and the old cemetery Nijenstede adjacent to it.
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Pas Op! Kunst! (Watch Out! Art!)

Pas Op! Kunst! (Watch Out! Art!)

Black and white letters flash like an alarm signal. What is going on, what's that up there? You only see what is blinking so insistently when you look properly: 'Watch out! Art! Watch out! Art!'
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Hallo, Is Daar Iemand?

Hallo, Is Daar Iemand?

The artwork 'Hallo, Is Daar Iemand?' ('Hello, Is Anybody Out There?') by Martijn Sandberg is a free standing iron wall 4.5 metres high and 24.5 metres long, with the artwork 'Ben Even Weg' ('Back Soon'), located in the district of Floriande in Hoofddorp/ NL.
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Ben Even Weg

Ben Even Weg

The artwork ‘Ben Even Weg’ ('Back Soon') by Martijn Sandberg is a free standing iron wall 4.5 metres high and 14.5 metres long, with the artwork ‘Hallo, Is Daar Iemand?’ (‘Hello, Is Anybody Out There?’, located in the district of Floriande in Hoofddorp/ NL.
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Forever Young

Forever Young

'Forever Young' by Martijn Sandberg is a site-specific artwork integrated in the OSG Singelland College building in Drachten, The Netherlands. The artwork is in point relief on the entire facade of the curved building situated on the roofed-over central square of the school. A universal refrain, spreading over the pavilion’s skin like a form of acne: 'Sleep All Day, Party All Night, Forever Young, Never Grow Old'.
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No Image No Message

No Image No Message

It takes a second look to affirm what you thought you saw in the first place. A pattern, energetic and decorative, almost to the point of triviality - purely abstract forms repeated to produce an ornamental field. But once you know, or see, that the ornamentation is based on letters, and that the letters form words, then the repetition acquires another quality. The single slogan becomes a chant. Over and over again, a thousand voices shout: 'No Image No Message!'
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Forever in Stone

Forever in Stone

The site-specific artwork 'Forever in Stone' by Martijn Sandberg, is an integral part of the architecture of the district Olympisch Kwartier, Amsterdam. Steel clinkers form the pixels of a figuration in the brickwork of the planters, meandering along the plinths of the housing blocks throughout the district. The artist allows the stones to speak. Those who listen, hear the endless song that is written in stone: 'Stoned Forever', 'Forever Stoned', 'Stoned Again' and 'Again'.
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Power To The People

Power To The People

Site-specific artwork, transformer station Hoofddorpplein, Amsterdam. In the dark and caused by street lighting or the headlights of passing cars, the reflective yellow colored letters light up very brightly: 'Power To The People'.
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Dunno

Dunno

In the cut paintings, there is a subtle play between the language of the image and the significance of the image, and this gives rise to questions. Here, even the lack of concept or idea seems to be elevated to an image by the artist.
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Cut Paintings

Cut Paintings

Inside the Vishal, we see black aluminium creations by the artist Martijn Sandberg. Texts are concealed in the objects that you only see when you walk past them, or as soon as you take a photograph of them. 'Sorry No Image Yet' is the funniest.
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Sorry No Image Yet

Sorry No Image Yet

A cut painting plays with light and shadow. Even the lack of image is elevated to image. Gazing at the perforated surface from different viewing angles, a range of letters appears and disappears within the figuration: ‘Sorry No Image Yet’.
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Cut The Crap

Cut The Crap

"I don’t paint, but cut my paintings. I make ‘cut paintings’. Just as in the cut painting ‘Cut The Crap’, ‘cut painting’ becomes an imperative slogan to chant: ‘Cut painting!” MS
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Cut Painting!

Cut Painting!

Works by Martijn Sandberg are on view in his exhibition 'Cut Painting!' at the former Aldo van Eyck Burgerweeshuis, BPD Kunstcollectie, Amsterdam. Martijn Sandberg has made a selection of his own works - the cut paintings - for this exhibition, as well as works of art from the BPD Art Collection.
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Wasted Time And Money

Wasted Time And Money

"Art costs a pretty penny, but then you do have something to show for it. The work of art is synonymous with the title: wasted time, and money down the drain. It is indeed this aspect that makes art meaningful and determines the value of art, for art is in essence pointless. Art is distinct from the functional, art does not serve. Art refers to art, and only serves the muse." MS
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Too Bored To Paint

Too Bored To Paint

“When asked “What do you think of the painting?”, my answer is often: ‘’What I like most about the painting, is the title.’’ My artworks have no titles. The cut paintings are ‘untitled’. The title is the artwork, the artwork is the title.” MS
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Too Busy To Paint

Too Busy To Paint

'Too Busy To Paint’ - Another nice excuse, from the cut paintings.
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Too Drunk To Paint

Too Drunk To Paint

“All the cut paintings have no date. Like a signature in the bottom right hand corner, putting a date there is so out of date. My cut paintings are ‘undated’ – in other words, ‘timeless’ and of all times.” MS
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Angel

Angel

"The muse is my client. I listen carefully. I listen to the murmur of the muse. “Paint it white, shining bright”. Her word is law. The canvas is white.” MS
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Raven

Raven

“I make language-images with image language. I do not procure letters from some existing font obtainable from a supermarket. I don’t shop around in what I call ‘Letter Paradise’, for convenience’s sake. I sing a different tune when casting my letters. All the letter forms you see in my work are by my own hand, just as a painter creates the figuration on canvas himself.” MS
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Im Westen nichts Neues

Im Westen nichts Neues

A painting hangs on the wall, titled ‘Im Westen nichts Neues’. Drips on the canvas compose a message from the Art Land front: ‘Nothing new, nothing the matter, we continue to paint’.
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What Fun Canvas Done

What Fun Canvas Done

“A cut painting is ‘serious fun’. How do you give form to a painting without content? What is actually to be seen on a painting without content? The work of art is complete. The paint is finalised. Don’t do anything more. It is time for a painter’s rhyme: ‘What fun, canvas done’.” MS
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Fresh From The Easel

Fresh From The Easel

"As soon as a painting comes off the easel and the wet paint dries, the canvas alters and ages right before your eyes. The sparkling colours become dull. The craquelé sets in. The painting is ready for the dump." MS
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Ready For The Dump

Ready For The Dump

“As soon as a painting comes off the easel and the wet paint dries, the canvas alters and ages right before your eyes. The sparkling colours become dull. The craquelé sets in. The painting is ready for the dump.” MS
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Wasted Paint And Canvas

Wasted Paint And Canvas

"Suppose we strip the painting of any depiction. What do you get if you reduce the painting without depiction to even less than pure paint on canvas? What does the artwork look like when you peel it down even more? Now it becomes interesting. I call it ‘art stripped bare’." MS
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One More Canvas Full

One More Canvas Full

“A cut painting’s composition comprises holes. We look right through the ‘paint’ of the ‘painting’. Filling surfaces is my craft, I fill the surface with holes.” MS
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Paint It Black

Paint It Black

“I make Image Messages. I appeal to your imagination with the cut paintings. I supply the ‘refrain’ with the ‘letters & lyrics’. You invent the ‘couplets’ yourself, as it were. “Well, is this it? Is this all?”, you then say. Then I laugh up my sleeve and say: ”Yes, that’s it. That’s all. Nothing more. Nothing less. And you’ll just have to put up with it. Other than that, see if I care!’’ MS
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Pity The Poor Artist

Pity The Poor Artist

"Another painting by Pity, the poor artist. It is my self-portrait as the 'penniless painter': "My name is Pity, the poor artist"." MS
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No Image No Message

No Image No Message

In the cut paintings, such as ‘Sorry No Image Yet’ and ‘No Image No Message’, there is a subtle play between the language of the image and the significance of the image, and this gives rise to questions. Here, even the lack of image seems to be elevated to an image by the artist.
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Image Messages

Image Messages

Installation view 'No Image No Message', solo exhibition 'Image Messages'. Galerie Markus Richter, Berlin/ D, 2002. Wallpaper and perforated aluminium series #1-#6.
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Fuck Fake Art

Fuck Fake Art

A coated painting about art and illusion, titled 'Fuck Fake Art'.
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This Is Crap

This Is Crap

'This Is Crap’ - Well, it certainly is! Ready to hang on an empty wall or right next an artwork of your choice.
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Fuck Art Deco

Fuck Art Deco

Decorate your wall with 'Fuck Art Deco'.
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No Image No Message

No Image No Message

From the 'Coated Paintings'. 'No Image No Message'. It's open to any interpretation.
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Pretty Vacant (#1)

Pretty Vacant (#1)

‘Pretty Vacant’ by Martijn Sandberg consists of a light greenish phosphorescent figuration on a white aluminium panel. The text ‘We’re Pretty Vacant’ refers to a Sex Pistols song. After illumination, the loaded sentence glows in the dark and then slowly fades until it is ‘empty’ again; zero content.
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Pretty Vacant (#2)

Pretty Vacant (#2)

‘Pretty Vacant’ by Martijn Sandberg consists of a light greenish phosphorescent figuration on a white aluminium panel. The text ‘We’re Pretty Vacant’ refers to a Sex Pistols song. After illumination, the loaded sentence glows in the dark and then slowly fades until it is ‘empty’ again; zero content.
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Kill The Pics

Kill The Pics

In white on fluorescent pink, the notorious slogan ‘Kill The Pigs’ has been translated into a critical statement on painting and the visual arts. The artist’s subtle variation in text is emphasized by the shift from handwriting on the wall to drawing letters with a finger in wet paint on an aluminium canvas; from social criticism about ‘pigs’ to the language of ‘pics’ - pictures and pixels.
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No Image No Message

No Image No Message

'No Image No Message', reflecting in daylight and in the dark.
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The Song Remains The Same

The Song Remains The Same

'The Song Remains The Same', at different viewing angles.
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Emoticon

Emoticon

It is never too late for early works. Made in 1996, a diptych as a duet, titled ‘Emoticon’.
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Sign

Sign

'Hallo', in shrieking colour. Made in 1995, titled ‘Sign’.
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End Or And

End Or And

Three early interludes, from 1992: 'And Or', 'End or And', 'End And' - each 155cm x 57cm.
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No Image No Message | Wallpaper

No Image No Message | Wallpaper

'No Image No Message’. Art as wallpaper, wallpaper as art.
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No Image No Message | Wallpaper

No Image No Message | Wallpaper

‘No Image No Message’. Art as wallpaper, wallpaper as art.
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No Image No Message | Spreads

No Image No Message | Spreads

It takes a second look to affirm what you thought you saw in the first place. They’re letters, or at least that’s what they have been, before they became this rhythm of rectangles that is dynamising the pages.
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No Image No Message | Lyric Sheet

No Image No Message | Lyric Sheet

'No Image No Message’, metallic silkscreen limited edition. Sing-Along Song.
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No Image No Message | Refrain Only

No Image No Message | Refrain Only

'No Image No Message’, fluorescent silkscreen limited edition. Refrain only.
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No Image No Message | The song that does not end

No Image No Message | The song that does not end

'No Image No Message’, the song that does not end. Installation view.
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No Image No Message | Light Verse

No Image No Message | Light Verse

'No Image No Message’ (Light Verse). Installation view.
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No Image No Message | Metallic multiple edition

No Image No Message | Metallic multiple edition

'No Image No Message'. Metallic silkscreen on white cardboard.
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No Image No Message | Metallic paper edition

No Image No Message | Metallic paper edition

'No Image No Message'. Metallic silkscreen on paper.
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No Image No Message | Fluorescent paper edition

No Image No Message | Fluorescent paper edition

'No Image No Message'. Fluorescent silkscreen on paper.
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No Image No Message | Multiple edition

No Image No Message | Multiple edition

'No Image No Message'. Metallic silkscreen on cardboard.
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The Song Remains The Same | Multiple edition

The Song Remains The Same | Multiple edition

'The Song Remains The Same'. Metallic offset-print on cardboard.
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Pretty Vacant | Multiple edition

Pretty Vacant | Multiple edition

‘Pretty Vacant’ by Martijn Sandberg consists of a light greenish phosphorescent figuration on white cardboard. The text ‘We’re Pretty Vacant’ refers to a Sex Pistols song. After illumination, the loaded sentence glows in the dark and then slowly fades until it is ‘empty’ again; zero content.
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Wenn Alle Künste Untergehen | Multiple edition

Wenn Alle Künste Untergehen | Multiple edition

‘Wenn Alle Künste Untergehen’ (‘If All Arts Are Lost’), woven kitchen towel, multiple edition, 65cm x 65cm.
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My Last Penny | Multiple edition

My Last Penny | Multiple edition

'My Last Penny' by Martijn Sandberg is available in a multiple edition, issued by the Vereniging voor Penningkunst VPK/ Dutch Art Medal Society.
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We’re Only In It For The Money | Coin edition

We’re Only In It For The Money | Coin edition

Nickel coin edition. Portrait of the artist as Mint Master and Money Maker.
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I Am Still Alive | Gold Verse & Old Verse

I Am Still Alive | Gold Verse & Old Verse

An ode to life and art. - MS: ‘’Anyone may read and uncover the figuration every day anew: ‘I Am Still Alive’. As well as celebrating life, the artwork offers a tribute to Art. The artwork itself declares: ‘I Am Still Alive’. Long live Art!’’
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I Am Still Alive | Multiple edition

I Am Still Alive | Multiple edition

An ode to life and art. - MS: ‘’Anyone may read and uncover the figuration every day anew: ‘I Am Still Alive’. As well as celebrating life, the artwork offers a tribute to Art. The artwork itself declares: ‘I Am Still Alive’. Long live Art!’’
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I Want More Space | An omen on the wall

I Want More Space | An omen on the wall

The artwork 'I Want More Space' is an omen on the wall. The work functions as image-language or an ‘image message’, where perforations in the aluminium panel form the image and the message.
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Whatever | Spread

Whatever | Spread

Black & white spread 'Whatever', artist's contribution in DAMn° Magazine, issue no. 4, November/ December 2005.
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Neo Age Now | Wallpaper

Neo Age Now | Wallpaper

‘Neo Age Now’, from 1995. A neon wallpaper for centuries, throughout the ages.
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No Cash Value

No Cash Value

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Image Not Found

Image Not Found

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Space For Rent

Space For Rent

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Art Is Groovy

Art Is Groovy

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Kill The Pics

Kill The Pics

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Art Is Groovy Kill The Pics

Art Is Groovy Kill The Pics

Two drawings, entitled ‘Art Is Groovy, Kill The Pics’, juxtaposing the artist’s variation on the slogan ‘Acid Is Groovy, Kill The Pigs’.
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No Image No Message

No Image No Message

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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No Image No Message

No Image No Message

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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No Image No Message

No Image No Message

'No Image No Message', (Hallucinations) - A diptych, juxtaposing 'No Image No Message' and 'No Message No Image'.
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Fuck Fake Art

Fuck Fake Art

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Kill The Pix

Kill The Pix

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Wer Nichts Weiss Malt Einen Kreis

Wer Nichts Weiss Malt Einen Kreis

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Nothing New Under The Sun

Nothing New Under The Sun

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Loading Content Please Wait

Loading Content Please Wait

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Loading Image Please Wait

Loading Image Please Wait

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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Loading Please Wait

Loading Please Wait

'Loading Please Wait', (Hallucinations) - A diptych, juxtaposing 'Loading Content Please Wait' and 'Loading Image Please Wait'.
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Im Westen noch immer nichts Neues

Im Westen noch immer nichts Neues

From the 'Hallucinations'. While looking at the drawing from different viewing angles, a radiant message appears and disappears in the reflective lines.
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