ARTZUID brings color to Amsterdam's streets

A touch of extra charm for Amsterdam's streets. Until September 24, you can once again enjoy the biennial sculpture exhibition ARTZUID. A total of 50 artworks line a two-kilometre route, curated by Jasper Krabbé. Well worth the detour.

A bit of extra charm to the Amsterdam street scene. Until September 24 you can once again enjoy the biennial sculpture exhibition ARTZUID. There are a total of 50 works of art on a two-kilometre route, curated by curator Jasper Krabbé. Definitely worth a little detour…

The Art Zuid Foundation has existed for 15 years this year and was founded by a group of residents from Amsterdam South. Every two years, controversial images are exhibited for four months on the green avenues of Berlage's Plan-Zuid. 

This year, the 50 works of art represent a mix of internationally known artists and young talent and are mainly aimed at appealing to young people. According to curator Jasper Krabbé, art connects: “We would like to involve young people in the plan. Many are having a hard time and art can be an antidote to the current polarization, extreme individualization and the insecurity fueled by social media. I hope that at ARTZUID we can reach young people through influences from street art, neo-pop art and graffiti and offer them a place, literally a place, by creating hangouts and a graffiti wall, among other things."

Positive and inclusive

The images represent different movements such as (Neo) Pop Art, Art Povera and Nouveau Realism. With the opposing art movements, the organization wants to show that apparently opposite art movements have been influenced by each other. According to them, interpreting previous ideas in new ways fits in with today's economic consumer society. This is reflected in the title 'Transfer'. The message to the youth is one of positivity and inclusivity; you are okay the way you are. 

Along the way you can encounter work by Karel Appel, Olaf Mooij, Hans van Bentem, Marjolein Witte, Jasper Krabbé or David Annesley. Ten artists even created new work especially for the route, including street artist Frankey.

A nice bonus: the sculpture exhibition is free of charge.