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Let’s go to the museum: Banksy & Lichtenstein

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Let’s go to the museum: Banksy & Lichtenstein

The weather was pretty poor again today. Rain is just a permanent feature here in Amsterdam. So both myself and my lunch meeting Alexandra were well showered when we met before my museum tour. But heh, why not hit a museum in this weather? Since i failed again to just walk into the Rijks & Van Gogh museum due to so many others thinking likewise, I opted for the private museum MOCO (well, more an art gallery) displaying Banksy as well as a special Lichtenstein display. The ticket isn’t included in the museums pass, but you get a discount (from EUR12,50/adult to EUR10). So let’s look at some of the works …

Banksy: My kind of artist

The street artist Banksy is well-known by now, mainly for his outdoor work. He did, however, also do indoor art that is mainly on display here in Amsterdam. Originally from Bristol (UK) in the 90’s, he is by now a well (un)known street artist famous for his graffiti’s and to an extent political activism. His true identity remains somehwat mysterious though there are some clues (link). Most of his famous works rely on the stencilling technique, which Banksy claims to have invented while hiding from police. It appears logic though that a technique as fast as this makes sense for a ‘hunted’ street artist. A full run-down of his biography and art work you find here. I love his art, his message and have a few specimen decorasting my kitchen wall. All copies of course ;o)

Link to Banksy street art locations in  London

“Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they’re having a piss.” 

–  Banksy, Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall

“A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.” 
― Banksy, Wall and Piece

 

Lichtenstein: Well, if you like pop art …

Lichtenstein was a modern artist from the New York (1923-1997) most well known for his comic book style and heavily featured in advertising to date. Full biography here. I am personally not a huge fan though I appreciate the clarity of his work to overly abstract modern art. In any case, nice to some of the art having last seen it I believe in Tate Modern, London, where I spent a lot of my ealry month in London (summer 2002), as I lived in an appartment just on the other side of the Thames across Millenium bridge.

Pop Art looks out into the world. It doesn’t look like a painting of something, it looks like the thing itself.
– Roy Lichtenstein

 

Moco museum

Moco stands for modern contemporary museum. Located in Villa Alsberg on Mueseumsplein, it was designed in 1904 by Pierre Cuypers. He also designed the centraal station and the Rijksmuseum. The private museum is currently backed by Lionel and Kim Logchies using their international network to bring art to people.

 

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