Moco Museum Amsterdam
This Amsterdam-based contemporary and street art museum would even excite those who usually dread museums.
Moco might be situated in the Museumkwartier, but it isn’t your typical museum.
The Modern Contemporary Museum aka Moco is located in Villa Alsberg, a historic townhouse that was designed in 1904. It epitomizes what the anonymous British street artist, Banksy, stated, “This is the first time the essentially bourgeois world of art has belonged to the people.”
How come?
Well, although the exhibitions are continuously changing, one thing is certain- Moco hosts creations made by “the rockstars of art.”
The museum’s private collection will make you question not only how you perceive art, but also how you perceive life.
Besides, with the exhibitions constantly changing and some artworks being loaned from private collectors, Moco is, indeed, making art accessible to a broader public.
Moco is primarily known for the Banksy works it hosts, offering a collection of his most iconic works (from Girl with Balloon or Barcode to Kids on Guns) together with a permanent Moco Masters exhibition.
Both the permanent and the temporary collection represent the never-ending cycle that art is.
These artists haven’t just inspired each other or other street artists, they have also inspired the world with their works that portray the world in an ironic yet painfully realistic manner.
Banksy’s Laugh Now Exhibition
Moco offers the public the chance to see some of the anonymous street artist’s work gathered in one place.
The museum is dedicated to honouring “the voice of the streets” as they are the perpetuators of change.
And who better represents activism intertwined with art than Banksy- the Bristol-born anonymous artist who includes powerful social messages in his work by using dark humour and satire.
Moco Masters
Like I said before, the works exhibited at Moco represent the never-ending cycle of art.
The Moco Masters collection celebrates innovative artists such as Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Yayoi Kusama, OSGEMEOS, Tracey Emin, Mark Rothko, and Keith Haring.
Even though it was the first time I saw some of these names, it was interesting to learn more about their background as well as about how these artists inspired each other.
“Reflecting Forward”
Another ongoing exhibition I visited was “Studio Irma-Reflecting Forward: In Search of Connectivism”.
At first, you may be tempted to say that this exhibition is the perfect background for your next Instagram post, but it’s so much more than that.
The digital immersive exhibition is centred around connections, highlighting the compassion and empathy that bring us together.
The essence of this exhibition was best summarised by the artist, Gerrit Rietveld Alum aka Studio Irma, “Art is like a bonfire. It is where the storytelling begins — projections, feelings, conversations, connections. We sing together. We dance together. The bonfire is a movement and an artwork. You are invited.”
Through The Lens of Moco
The lens through which I view art has definitely changed since I visited Moco. The street art, contemporary and modern museum takes art from the pedestal that it’s been put on, and makes it more accessible.
The thought-provoking exhibitions force the audience to actively engage in the visit, to question what they have learned to perceive as “the truth” and to get out of their bubble.
The artworks exhibited in Moco aren’t just eye candy, they are incentives for social change.
Details
Price: student discount (16,50 €)& if you book your tickets online, you get a discount.
The museum is privately owned, so the ‘Museumkart’ is not valid.
I visited on a Sunday, so the queue was quite long. However, it moved fast.
All tickets include audio tours available on mobile devices.
Download the Moco Play App to see how artworks come to life.
