The Art of Banksy in Amsterdam (2)

As said in yesterday's post I'm showing you 2 more works from Banksy that I saw recently at the current exhibition in the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. "The 'Barcode Leopard' from 2003 was first displayed in Banksy's breakthrough 2002 exhibiton "Existencilism". It has become one of his most renowned and sold works. Ironically, the barcode serves as a cage, from which the wild feline emerges feral; licking the wounds it bears from the illegal tiger trade. However, one could also surmise that the tiger represents all of us, confined behind the bars of the jail of savage consumerism."

This is the "Flower Thrower", also from 2003. The text next to the image says: "The Banksy image that I liked best is that of a protester poised to throw a bouquet of flowers. It communicates the intense energy, passion, and focus of those engaged in 'the resistance' while also conveying the methods to be used such as art, humor, and general transcendence" (Journalist Gregory Johnson)

The Art of Banksy in Amsterdam (1)

I recently visited the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam that currently has 'The Art of Banksy'-exhibition. From the info at the exhibition: "Nobody knows who is Banksy, yet everybody knows who he is. He is probably the most famous yet the most mysterious graffiti artist this world has seen. In 2010, Time Magazine selected the British artist for its list of the world's 100 most influential people among the company of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Lady Gaga." This display of a car is at the entrance.

 "Girl and Balloon" from 2003 is among his best-known pieces. "Evocative and affectionate at first look. Girl With A Balloon throws the viewer off-balance after the first impression of compassion wears off: Has the girl released the balloon, having given up on love long lost, fulfilling one entrance into the symbolic order that is society or has she lost grip of it, doomed to desperately seek that one feeling that is a human beings' primary need?"
Not really familiar yet with the works of Banksy, I was quite impressed with what I saw at the exhibition and read about him. Another post tomorrow.

The face (2)

A while ago I showed a face that seemed to get out of a wall of the University of Amsterdam (see HERE). This is another one; and it's expression looks so real that it's kind of weird, don't you think? Spooky even.

The face is on a building along the Rokin. I have no idea who created it, or what's the idea behind it..

The Marine Insurance Company Ltd

 Old and new buildings at the Rokin in Amsterdam.

Drawing attention here is this elegant, in Art Nouveau style building from 1901 by architect Gerrit van Arkel. It is the former main office of The Marine Insurance Company Limited, and is now listed as a national heritage site.

Streetcorner

A rather quiet and sunny Saturday morning at the Spui in Amsterdam.

Museum Square

View on the Museum Square in Amsterdam seen from the 2nd floor windows of the Rijksmuseum..

..and this is from the other side with the museum in the background.

National Monument

Pigeons sit on one of two male sculptures representing members of the Dutch resistance, at the side of the National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam. Other sculptures on this World War II monument, a concrete conical pillar, represent suffering and loyalty, victory, liberation, peace, and new life.

I'm linking to Saturday's Critters on Eileen's blog.

A passing tram

Look for the colours blue and white if you want to take a ride with a tram in Amsterdam. This is at the corner of the Leidsestraat and Keizersgracht.

I'm linking to Weekend Reflections.

Atrium glass roof

From a large patio called the Atrium visitors enter the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum. It's a huge square space with daylight coming in through the roof.

The ends of the huge beams supporting the glass roof aren't hidden but are beautifully decorated instead.

Cyclist underpass

The Rijksmuseum seen from the south side with cyclists coming out of the 'fietstunnel' (cyclist underpass) underneath the museum. The underpass, that leads to the Museum Square, caused a lot of discussion regarding safety for pedestrians and cyclists, but at the end turned out to be one of the eyecatching items once the renovation had been finished.

Great Hall floor

Inside the Rijksmuseum, the vast Great Hall ('Voorhal') leading to the Gallery of Honour ('Eregallerij') has a floor with inlaid mosaics that picture a variety of images like the four seasons, the four largest rivers in the world, and the 12 signs of the zodiac.

The face

On our way from the Amsterdam train station to the Museum Square we passed this face coming out of the wall of the Universiteit van Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam). Even though it's a bit damaged it looks almost real, don't you think?

On foot in Amsterdam

View from a sunny Amsterdam earlier today, looking out from the Prinsengracht.

train station

Amsterdam main train station.

round reflection

The reflection in one of the chandeliers inside the Nieuwe Kerk at the Dam square in Amsterdam.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Spring fun fair

Blue skies above the Ferris wheel on the Dam square in Amsterdam, last Saturday.

World Press Photo 14

Last Saturday I visited the World Press Photo exhibition at the 15th century Nieuwe Kerk ('New Church'), at the Dam square in Amsterdam. The exhibition features over 150 remarkable photographs in 9 categories.
Somehow the setting of a church adds so much to this photo exhibition, like the Der-Aa Church in Groningen that hosted the WPP last November. (click HERE to see a few images from my visit there).
If you happen to be in Amsterdam, it's recommendable.

safety door

This is inside the Beurs van Berlage, in the centre of Amsterdam. The building was designed as a commodity exchange and constructed around 1900. This was no doubt the entrance of one of the vaults, currently used as exhibition room displaying '100 years of advertising' with famous people from the Netherlands.

P is for the Prince who became King today

Nederland heeft een nieuwe koning! Door het ondertekenen van de akte van abdicatie bevestigde Koningin Beatrix formeel afstand te doen van de troon, waarmee Prins Willem-Alexander de nieuwe Koning van Nederland werd. 

The Netherlands has a new King! The official moment where it all came down to was signing the instrument of abdication. With this Queen Beatrix formally stepped down from the throne and Prince Willem-Alexander became the new King of the Netherlands.

De prinsesjes Ariane, Amalia en Alexia, de 3 dochters van Koning Willem-Alexander en Koningin Máxima, waren ook aanwezig bij de ceremonie. (beide foto's hierboven zijn genomen van het tv-scherm)

The young princesses Ariane, Amalia and Alexia, the 3 daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, were also present at the ceremony. (both pictures above were taken from the television screen)

.. en dan nog een paar impressies van de vrijmarkt vanmiddag in Stadskanaal.

.. and then some impressions from the rummage sale this afternoon in Stadskanaal. 

Linking to ABC Wednesday.