Beware of Blockbuster Art Exhibitions!
by hquittner
When we were there in May 2006, the Rijksmuseum and van Gogh were holding a joint show in the Exhibition Area in the lower back part of the vanGogh entitled "Rembrandt-Caravaggio". A combined ticket for all 3 was available and you had to enter the van Gogh to see the Exhibit (each advancing the cost). An audio guide was provided free (various languages). This was part of a year-long series of events to "celebrate" the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt's birth. Blockbuster Art Shows are a way for museums to make money,achieve curatorial notoriety and cement picture swapping ("loans") opportunities for more Blockbusters. They are intended to expand the viewing opportunities for the interested local suporters of the museum (most of whom are world travellers). 90% of the people who attend are barely interested in art and cling to their audioguides while ignoring the pictures and blocking your view.There was no crowd control. In other cities (eg the Grand Palais in Paris) you buy your ticket at a Ticketron for a controlled specific time of entry which lessens the crowd. The conceit of comparing the 2 great contemporary masters of chiaroscuro (who were unaware of each other and of different social environments) was "clever". It provided an opportunity to view over 15 examples of each (only a few of the Rembrandts were from the Rijks.). But it was not informative like a similar Exhibition elsewhere comparing Picasso and Matisse. Of course an expensive publication was available for those who could not see enough because of the crowd! Photography is almost never permitted at Blockbusters (and is not permitted anywhere in the van Gogh Museum). Thus museums have preserved the covetous stance toward collecting art established by their royal and aristocratic ancestors. 17C Dutch Art and Architecture
Handy print-out guides to Amsterdam FREE !
by ATLC
Check Steven Pemberton's FREE online Guide
for handy links and info when visiting Amsterdam.
And this is another FREE guide, a PDF file from Boom Chicago Amsterdam. A printed version of this guide can be picked up at Boom Chicago and various locations around town. It includes a map of the city center too.
Centraal Station - 1889
by yooperprof
The Central rail station is currently undergoing a mammoth renovation and improvement project which will dramatically modernize this vitally important transportation hub. The work being done is especially challenging for several reasons: because the station was constructed on infill land; is a valuable historic landmark in its own right; and because it is imperative to keep the station open and operating during the whole restoration process. I think I read somewhere that the project will not be completed until 2012.
In the meantime, the Central Station can seem like a harried, cluttered place - and one that is hard to get to! But the exterior is certainly a monument to a certain period of Dutch pride and glory. This neo-Renaissance, red-brick "Dutch gothic" style was the rage in the late 1800s, and can be seen in many places across Amsterdam. The architect for the station was a 19th century genius, PJH Cuypers (1827-1921) - who also designed the Riiksmuseum in a similar style on the other side of town.
Spend at least a day just...
by bonio
Spend at least a day just wandering in any direction!
Amsterdam is not a huge city and it's easy to walk around without getting too lost.
Sooner or later you will see most of the famous sights! Sampling far too much of the local beer and getting asked to star in a porn movie, they must be DESPERATE!
Bibliotheek - (Public Library) - 2007
by yooperprof
Amsterdam has a wonderful new public library located just to the east of the Centraal Station on Oosterdokskade. There are fascinating contemporary art displays alongside state-of-the-art information technology, and a public cafeteria with wholesome food on one of the upper levels. Comfortable furniture and excellent views of the city make this library a must-see for all those interested in libraries, books, and contemporary architecture!
You might also like to check out my Travelogue for the library - more photos located there.
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Hans en Grietje
Up those stairs!
View of the Ringdjke canal from Hotel Casa400
dollhouse exhibit specimen
