STRAAT: Museum of Street Art & Graffiti, Amsterdam

"La contemplación" (2018) by Entes

Away from Amsterdam's congested heart, the grand scale of NDSM Wharf unfolded as a peaceful escape. This sprawling, street art haven, free from the city's madness, projected a calm yet formidable aura. This extensive, artistic retreat, though quiet, was impressively vast. The STRAAT Museum, within this relaxed industrial expanse, stood as a majestic and tranquil realm where art reigns supreme.

NDSM Werf: Where Old Meets Bold

Botel, NDSM Wharf, Amsterdam

The journey to NDSM Wharf is an effortless affair, a smooth sail across the tranquil IJ River aboard a free ferry that connects the bustling center of Amsterdam to this sanctuary of urban artistry. As you disembark, the Big Botel greets you—a floating hotel that stands as a modern testament to the area’s innovative spirit, hinting at the wharf's transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a creative playground.

Under the November sky, which seemed to be competing with the concrete for the most shades of grey, the street art provided a much-needed chromatic intervention. The blend of the old shipyard's soul with the new urban flair was the perfect prelude to our visit to the STRAAT Museum.

The Warehouse: Big Space, Bigger Art

Little human for scale if you can spot them :)

At the heart of this cultural district is STRAAT, the museum for street art and graffiti, where the ethos of street art is not just displayed but actively practiced. Entering the STRAAT Museum was like walking into an artist's daydream, a bit like stepping into a giant's sketchbook.

Inside STRAAT Museum: The tiny figures in the photo underscore the vastness of the space and artworks.

Artists are invited to create their works on the spot, contributing to an ever-expanding collection that started strong and continues to grow with each artist's contribution. STRAAT began with a significant number of pieces and now houses almost 200, each telling its own story within the grandeur of this converted warehouse space.

Walking through a maze of artworks

The Evolving Canvas of STRAAT Museum

View of the inside of STRAAT Museum from the top deck

Inside STRAAT, the experience is monumental. The murals, crafted by artists such as Galo, Kayla Mahaffey, Carlos Ramirez and many more, dwarf visitors, not to diminish but to amplify the power of art and its capacity to inspire. The museum is a living entity, with every visit offering a fresh perspective, as the collection is in a constant state of flux, embodying the transient yet impactful nature of street art.

'The Big Ears Old School Dolls' by Sipros and Pure Evil's 'Marilyn Monroe'

The ever-growing collection offers a sort of panoramic view of street art's evolution and a glimpse of its vibrant pulse in the contemporary world​

‘Passage’ by Galo: A bustling street of emotions captured through his signature Gigioni characters. Reflecting his decade in Amsterdam as a street art pioneer, this piece invites you to find the face that matches your mood.

Photography: Street Art's Game of Scale

"Renovate" by Judith de Leeuw – A tribute to a woman's journey from abuse to empowerment, reflecting on women's evolving roles in society. - Luisa for scale.

As a photographer, the museum was a playground of perspectives. Capturing the enormity of these artworks was like trying to fit an ocean into a teacup. Perched on a viewing deck above, the scene unfolded like a miniature world below – a vivid tableau where people wandered like tiny explorers amidst these monumental creations.

"Yin & Yang" (2020) by Carl Kenz – A multimedia truck installation, juxtaposing nature's warning and hope through striking environmental symbolism - Luisa for scale.

STRAAT: A Mural Metropolis

View from the top deck

The biggest names in street art, showcased in this vast warehouse, - reminded us of the boundless potential of creativity and imagination. Here, art didn't merely occupy space; it redefined it, demonstrating that true creativity transcends physical and conceptual boundaries.

Leaving the STRAAT Museum, my thoughts were a blend of admiration and fresh insights into street art. This visit was more than a walk through a gallery; it was a journey across artistic frontiers, literal and metaphorical, a nice reminder that art, in its boldest forms, is indeed larger than life.

One half of STRAAT Museum

Discover the stories and artists behind the incredible artworks featured in this post and more at STRAAT Museum by visiting their collection database.

Thanks for reading,

Dazz

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