t Eduardo Kobra’s Let Me Be Myself on the outside of the street art museum in NDSM
Amsterdam’s culture of tolerance has made the city a vibrant centre for cutting-edge street art and theatre. In the 1960s, open-air performances and graffiti were consigned to the countercultural scene, but in the 21st century, street culture has become part of the modern zeitgeist.
t Eduardo Kobra’s Let Me Be Myself on the outside of the street art museum in NDSM
What was once an anti-establishment act is now enshrined in two of Amsterdam’s most popular museums. The street art museum at NDSM houses large-scale murals from artists from around the world, whilst Banksy is the star of Moco Museum’s collection. Captured on canvas, his iconic Battle of the Beanfield dominates the entrance hall. Despite these innovative museums, the best way to see street art is in the wild. Alltournative Amsterdam’s enthusiastic local guides take graffiti fans on adventurous tours around the city’s kaleidoscopic mural art scene (www.alltournative-amsterdam.com). If just viewing the pieces isn’t enough, pick up a spray can in a graffiti workshop run by a local street artist with Fun Amsterdam (www.funamsterdam.com).
Take a selfie with a stock-still, periwigged personification of Marie Antoinette, Rembrandt, or a panoply of other historical or fictional figures on the city’s bustling central square. The colourful cast of players changes by the hour. Be aware that performers expect to be given a few euros if you take a photograph with them.
Skateboarders and graffiti artists meet at Marnix Bowl, the city’s biggest purpose-built skatepark. Spectators watch in awe as the boarders and BMX-riderspull daredevil stunts on psychedelic ramps.
Leidseplein is the best place in Amsterdam to watch the city’s street performers. From alfresco café tables, visitors can kick back to sounds from street bands playing everything from freestyle jazz to hardcore ragga. Buskers appreciate a donation if you enjoy their performance.
The Diary of Anne Frank is the book most read by young people in Kobra’s native Brazil.
Amsterdam for Street Culture
Let Me Be Myself (2016)
Eduardo Kobra’s Kaleidoscopic mural of Anne Frank adorns the exterior of NDSM’s street art museum.
WE’RE NOT TOURISTS. WE LIVE HERE. (c 1980)
Amsterdam Museum’s monochrome wall painting is by Hugo Kaagman.
Untitled (2009)
A four-storey, comic-style mural by The London Police is found on the gable end of the canal house at 70 Prinsengracht.