Art Martha. Late Rembrandt.

Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum plays host to Late Rembrandt, an exhibition title leaving nothing to the imagination. Featuring around one hundred works from the latter phase of his career, it's a terrific survey of his skill expertly presented. As impressive as the paintings and etchings were, I found it far more compelling to watch the audience.

The gallery was packed despite a high €25 ticket price for a timed entry system, which I naively assumed would equate to a better viewing experience; it didn't. It was virtually impossible to get up close to a painting requiring a battle-like effort to beat away: headset wearing browsers eager to beep QR codes; point and shoot photographers hogging prime viewing positions as they captured out of focus images of the paintings before them (why not buy a catalogue?); and hordes of people with walking sticks protruding from odd angles used to prod others away. Call me twisted, but I took great pleasure in watching the watchers. One fellow in particular caught my attention: well into his eighties with a killer comb-over, he wheeled his wife around the gallery. He seemed oblivious to others as he banged her wheelchair into them to ensure his wife could see the paintings. Fascinating. Image: A Woman Bathing in a Stream, 1655.

Art Martha. Leve De Mens.

I think I've just seen my favourite exhibition of the year, Leve de Mens! at the Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde in Leiden. It's the work of Jimmy Nelson, someone I've not heard of before, who has travelled the world to document fading culture in remote communities. From the first step you're confronted by evocative imagery projected onto large screens as a sombre soundtrack makes the outside world disappear from consciousness with darkened gallery rooms adding to the atmospheric vibe. At this point you're not aware that the real work is still many rooms away. The second room features a ring of small screens showing what is effectively a making of documentary. You're treated to interviews, snippets of video and out takes. Oddly engaging. Watching people interact, completely absorbed in what they're watching was as beautiful to see as the work itself. At one point I felt as if I would melt — I can't believe I've just written that, but it's true.

A corridor featuring images from the museums collection of tribal photographs from around 1870 to 1890 is truly fascinating. Stereotypes are called into question with a text-based wall posing questions on the role of photography just before a gallery of images reflecting on these points. I felt a little unsure, it seemed trite and clichéd. Was it trying too hard? Or not hard enough? Why were certain images included here, including a couple featuring the photographer himself? Attention to authenticity? A little debate ensued with my companion (their favourite image was from Vanuatu), more images pondered, more questions left unanswered yet discoveries made. Another room, this time circular with LED screens projecting an array of changing portraits stare intently at us the audience sat on swivel chairs watching them.

The final rooms featured very large portraits of the tribes. The one above, The Nenets, very nearly brought me to tears. Why? I'm not sure, but I couldn't stop looking at it. Completely rapt. I don't think I've felt as moved by an image as I did with this. Maybe it's where I am at right now? I wonder whether I've felt happier or more secure in myself than I do right now, and yet I have no idea what the future holds. Maybe an exhibition is made not by what is presented, but what we the viewers bring to it. Do we bring along our own pre-conceived ideas of what we should see or feel perhaps influenced by others or do we let go and feel for ourselves. I let go yesterday, finally. It seems apt that the accompanying book is called Before They Pass Away. Leve de Mens! is on until 7 September. It's beautiful, flaws and all.

Art Martha. Trevor Paglen.

Trevor Paglen delivered a great, I'd go so far as to say inspiring, lecture this evening at Stroom in Den Haag as part of See You In The Hague. It's not often you want a talk to continue, but with Trevor's insightful and curious discussion on secret business, invisible photography and drones, well I could have stayed tuned for hours more. He's showing compelling work at Stroom now, so if you're in Den Haag pop in.

Art Martha. Generator Strandbeest.

There's something prehistoric about Theo Jansen's rather odd sculptures, part of his installation Generator Strandbeest showing now in Electriciteits Fabrique near the centre of Den Haag. One of the problems with using such an interesting venue, particularly one that the public doesn't have access to normally, is ensuring that building and art don't compete for audience attention. Here the space enhances the work, giving it another dimension more in line with an archeological dig. Or a sci-fi film, I couldn't help but think of the desert scenes in first Star Wars film. It's as if you have stepped back into the past and into the future in one stride. I spent a good hour or more wandering around, watching the audience interact with some of the beasts as well as spending some time looking at the museum-like installation of component parts. Highly recommended, an odd yet warming experience.

Art Martha. European Populism.

The Melkweg is one of Amsterdam's key music venues where the best bands perform live and films and documentaries with a musical theme can be seen. There's also a gallery where The Rise of Populism in Europe is currently on show, a compelling exhibition looking at the state of humanity and politics across Europe. The artists involved are: Andrea Gjestvang, Ed Thompson, Jan-Joseph Stok, Dirk-Jan Visser, Wendy Marijnissen, Tinka & Frank Dietz, Maria Turchenkova, Rami Hanafi, Nico Baumgarten and The Prism. If you're in or close to Amsterdam drop in quick, there's only a week left.

Art Martha. Facadism.

Facadism is a quirky show curated by Eelco van der Lingen at Nest in Den Haag, and it's well worth the trip. Sarah & Charles rely on enchanting colour for their eye-popping video installation where an intriguing dance unfolds in pastel hues. Dominique Teufen's installation plays with shades of grey, the aftermath of a party where all objects and furniture in a large room have been drained of colour. It's slightly unsettling, as if you've walked into a giant black and white photograph, and it's rather clever. Also smart is Bernd Oppl's playful sculptures and installations that trip your sense of perception out. The show closes this weekend. Be sure to pop into Zaal 3 afterwards for a quick bite to eat, good coffee and a gezellig atmosphere with the friendliest service in town.

Art Martha. Yi Jun Peace Museum.

The only plan for day one was to have lunch at an Indonesian restaurant called Istana. I ventured there with two terrific friends where we were impressed by a delicious meal despite being overwhelmed by the number of choices on offer. With full tummies we ventured out onto the streets only to stumble on the Yi Jun Peace Museum, a place devoted to the memory of Yi Jun who ventured to the Second Hague Peace Conference held in Den Haag in 1907 to make known Japan's plans to annex Korea. He failed to gain access. The museum was formerly the De Jong Hotel, the place where Yi Jun's life would mysteriously end that same year. The experience was slightly surreal, but great to feel just that little bit more informed.

Art Martha. Karel's Keuze.

There's still time to see the excellent Karel's Keuze exhibition at De Hallen in Haarlem, if you're in the Netherlands of course. The show brings together highlights of the gallery's collection purchased during Karel Schampers thirteen year stint. I went not knowing what was on nor who Karel is. It's fair to say I was pleasantly surprised to see some of my favourite works on show by artists like Hans Peter Feldman, Gillian Wearing, Nan Goldin and Boris Mikhailov.

Art Martha. Shtetl In The City.

Dan Zollmann's exhibition called Shtetl in the City is an insightful photographic study of the Orthodox Jewish community in Antwerp. This compelling show gives audiences a rare glimpse behind the scenes, and is at times amusing thanks to Dan's clever juxtapositions of traditional culture against contemporary backgrounds in the city. The image above is called Twee fietsen onder een brug — Two cyclists under a bridge — taken in 2006 and is just one of many great images showing now at the Joods Historisch Museum in Amsterdam. I'll be back for a repeat view, it's an outstanding show.

Art Martha. Golden Years.

David Bowie might be the first thing that comes to mind, but this time Golden Years refers to an engrossing exhibition of photographs at Huis Marseille in Amsterdam. Dutch photographer Rob Hornstra's work captivates, every image presenting a complex tale of life in Russia capable of rousing love and heartache simultaneously. While Rob's work was my favourite, two projects by Olga Chernysheva charmed, particularly the voyeuristic Windows, and Oleg Klimov's black and white series of images Along the shores of Russia intrigued. Excellent exhibitions Huis Marseille! Be sure to check out The Sochi Project.

Art Martha. Fast Food Hell.

If you're in Newcastle this weekend, be sure to check out Ryan Fitzgerald's exhibition at Darcy & Rose just off Hunter St Mall. The show features breathtaking portraits and gut churning images of iconic Australian fast food items, think the stodgiest meat pie you've ever seen and the phallic, though here it's more turd-like, Chiko Roll. Over the past year or so Ryan has been perfecting a wet plate collodian method of photographing his chosen subjects using an 8x10 camera, and while the food is disturbing, the results are anything but. The show ends Sunday November 3, you'll be rewarded visually for checking this terrific little exhibition out.

Art Martha. Inquietude.

Inquietude must be some kind of record for the longest drawing made in a public gallery. Clementine Barnes is the artist behind the work, and since the show began on 25 September, Clem's been there during opening hours labouring away. There's a peace to the show, which includes a line-up of pencils doomed to death, a growing pile of shavings and a small complete drawing pointing to a potential conclusion. Inquietude is currently on show at First Draft in Surry Hills. Get in before the big rub-off starts at 6pm on October 12.

Art Martha. BP Portrait Award 2012.

I really should have posted this at the time, but for some reason what I wrote has sat lingering in my drafts folder. Stepping back in time to almost twelve months ago, I visited London's National Portrait Gallery to see the BP Portrait Award. I was struck by how photographic many of the paintings appeared to be in this compelling exhibition, Ben Ashton's Lindsay Lohan (pictured) a case in point. I found myself checking each plaque and painting to be sure I was looking at oil on canvas and not ink on paper. It's fair to say that the relationship between painting and photography hasn't always been rosy, and I pondered this as I strolled about. I thought about where photography was now and came up with nothing. Only a few years ago it was almost a crime to take a photo, yet now what is wrong with you if you're not — everyone is a photographer. Landscape mode has become the standard for portraits, and Photoshop keeps ageing pop stars with both feet in 1984. Apps and algorithms are the automated norm a la Instagram, Flickr and Facebook, and phones with cameras are just as good as dedicated ones. Digital photography is fast, furious and ubiquitous, yet slow burn alchemic processes are growing in popularity just as 3D printing becomes more accessible. A year on and I'm still thinking about the 2012 BP Portrait Award, testament to its understated cleverness. I wish I could go to this year's one.

Art Martha. Hunterian Museum.

London's Hunterian Museum delves into the world of medicine and surgery, but it's not for the squeamish. Featuring display case after display case of the sometimes gory inner workings of the body, diseased limbs, cross sections of an elephant's trunk and far more left an impression on me. I spent hours inside captivated by all manner of medical wonders. If you're going to London, this is a must see.

Art Martha. Noah's Ark.

The mammoth Noah's Ark in Dordrecht is more a work of art than a museum, not to mention an intriguing and surreal experience. Its imposing facade conceals a maze of rooms and stairways spanning at least four levels. Inside, an array of life-size plastic animals make their home alongside live exotic birds, rabbits and ponies. Mannequins, seemingly unwanted by local retailers, are dressed as if at some hippie party, many in rave-like dance poses. It's rather amusing.

Noah (pictured) was rather odd too. He spoke Dutch with a thick American accent, and his attire seemed somewhat modern under his beard. Elsewhere, a voice on a nearby television screen lectured on Creationism, and how only an academic would be arrogant enough to not believe in it. Though the ark can hold 3,000 visitors, I counted just five people in one American family on the day I went, not including staff. The adventure was made all the more eerie with so few people around. I was startled by flying white doves at first, but soon felt at home with them. I felt sorry for the poor labrador who lived in the largest pen with a plastic mate. He seemed eager to get out following me from side to side behind his fence. I'd want to get out too, the stationery moose, mammoth, adders and casowaries gave me the heebie-jeebies. Other animals included dodo birds, komodo dragons, pigs, sea lions but only two dogs, as all dog breeds could be recreated using these specimans when back on dry land. It was a mind boggling experience, and I spent a surprising three hours on board.

It was snowing the day I visited, so I wound my visit up in the café eating a warming pea and ham soup with an Egyptian Queen and her dog. See Noah's Ark on Turnstile.

Art Martha. Diane Arbus At Foam.

Amsterdam's Foam is hosting a spectacular Diane Arbus exhibition. The entire gallery space is devoted to her work, with room after room of Diane's singular take on human experience providing an oddly warming experience. Her 'this is how it is' photographs have lost nothing of their power since her death forty years ago, and Foam have done well to keep the installation traditional, verging on austere. It's a terrific show, one of my favourites of the year. If you're in Amsterdam before January 2013, then it's well worth the entrance fee. If I were a rich man, I'd buy the catalogue.

Art Martha. Inspiration.

Inspiration, what it is, where it comes from and how it materialises in finished art works make it a stimulating topic to ponder. A few weeks ago at Singel 222, I along with a packed room of interested people, were treated to a presentation of film and video clips put together by two Dordrecht creators, Nada and Daan. For nearly two hours I was transfixed as a motley, sometimes assaulting, assortment of clips flicked past. It became clear the pair have an interest in dogs, youth culture, young women, funny porn, art and deep dark films including Underground, American Beauty and Eraserhead. While the clips amused, shocked and disgusted it was question time at the end that produced heated discussion. Forget Lederhosen and Smurf porn, it was the inclusion of a cheesy Dirty Dancing clip that garnered most attention. A man questioned the interest in something so old, which struck me as odd. Does it matter? If it inspires, it inspires. Oddly, I could see how the clip inspired them, and not by their work, but by their presence. It was a great night, and I breathed a sigh of relief to learn that the song I love — and now know it's name — is not by Nicky Minaj, but by someone called Azealia Banks. Great clip.

Art Martha. Arch 402.

Providing a warm chuckle, Dearly Departed at Arch 402 Gallery in Hoxton was well worth the walk-in. Molly Russell's intriguing, I wanted to say naive (it is and isn't) exhibition is entertaining, educational and thoughtful. Made in collaboration with master coffin makers JC Atkinson of Tyne & Wear, Molly has created life-sized coffins for animals including one for a giraffe. A giraffe! While the show is laugh out-loud funny, it is underpinned by the sadness associated with the death of a pet. Though less successful, the charming video installation Frite featuring Molly's beloved disco-dancing rabbit is poignant. It's sweet. It's funny. I laughed, but in comparison to the coffins, it felt somewhat unresolved. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this show and look forward to seeing more from Molly in the future. Picture by Vivian Russell.

Art Martha. Grayson Perry.

Grayson Perry has been doing the rounds in London following his The Vanity of Small Differences exhibition at Victoria Miro Gallery. Juxtaposing traditional crafts with wryly observed contemporary life, I found the tapestries (above) far more engaging than the pots Grayson's more well known for. Grayson was recently on The Rob Brydon Show wearing a frock that would do Dame Edna proud. He chatted openly about transvestism and art, and for artists speaking about their art, he was refreshingly engaging.

Art Martha. Brainwashed.

Lurking behind a mohawked Mona Lisa was an exhibition by Mr Brainwash; either a Banksy creation or Paris born, Los Angeles based, documentary film maker Thierry Guetta, depending on what you believe. Banksy's Exit Through The Gift Shop illuminated Mr Brainwash's talent as an artist, which is further proven with sell-out shows; apparently. Security was tight with entry into the show not unlike the procedure for boarding an international flight. Bouncers watched on as punters ogled works that can best be described as repetitive, paint-spluttered copies of master works. That's not to say they don't have charm, they do. Part Warhol, part sampled old master, part advertising all spun through a Koons production line spat out for the masses is one way to sum-up these works. They seem made for a multi-tasking, celebrity obsessed, rock-star generation, who in turn create their own smart phone snaps to post on Facebook. Although I have reservations and questions — are they appropriations or brash copies? Fine art or poster art? — I have to confess that, good art or bad art, I was oddly mesmerised by the show not to mention happy to stumble on it.