:: Nine Streets at sunset::Amsterdam is replete with dome-shaped architecture, borrowed from Islamic art. The presence of many Turkish migrants probably explains this influence. Studying Art & History last semester definitely comes into handy at an opportune time:)
The main Red Light Districts were not the only ones where we spotted the harlots. Down Nine Streets, literally nine streets replete with branded shops like Paul Frank, Zara and extremely interesting minimalist art galleries; those “shops” that hung red lamps were brothels. Lo and behold! Rows of skimpily clad women in their lacy neon lingerie stood at the entrance of the doors, their eyes preying on any hungry hormonal-raging man. It was forbidden to take a snapshot of the call girls, it was deemed rude, so I took a photo of the rows of red lamps in a little back alley.
My shopping experience at Nine Streets hardly reaped any rewards because personally, there isn’t much to buy, nowhere near a shopping paradise (despite 9 streets yes). But, the beautiful canal scenery that merges with the evening skies and the occasional handful of eclectic, quirky shops compensated for it. For all you know you may find that gargantuan, Russian-decorated candle stick that you’ve always desired.
The highlight of my trip was actually at one particular minimalist art gallery-
Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten-d’ Eendt . I was extremely intrigued by this one because the interior was extremely bare, so naked. I stopped in my tracks, literally.
There were only five artworks in total in all three levels. Quite appalling me thinks ! I ended up talking to the owner of the art gallery for an entire hour and I left the gallery rather awed, inspired and intellectually challenged (no, not in a bad way in case you think otherwise). The artworks he showcased belonged to an African artist, Mounir Fatmi, who based his inspiration on the compelling desire to advocate modernity and his works represents obstacles needed to confront before reaching modernity.
The one artwork that caught my eye was the vivid visual representation of a tombstone made with old cassette tapes, the “overgrown weeds” were made with unreeled tapes. This was the only artwork showcased in the first level. And the accompanying text was bold, in your face, unabashed. It was painted in neat large black fonts on a bare white wall that says, “Leave, and wait for me, I will arrive.” Seemed like what could have been a possible content of a metaphysical conversation between backwardness and modernity. I think that is what a piece of good art ought to do, it provokes your senses, it teases, it should make you ask WHY, and it should makes you question norms and arbitrary demarcations.
In a way, I think the works of the artist Mounir Fatmi is a microcosm of the owner’s own desires to see a breakthrough in the minds of modern Dutch society, with regards to arts. He said, almost woefully, “you ask them why they like this piece of art, they say, oh because it’s nice!”. Indeed, art cannot be just...nice.
:: The man behind the Galerie::
Tel: +31 (0)20-626 57 77
Website: Here
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