Weird list. But there are several real cool hidden statue’s slash “art in public space thingies” in Amsterdam that are hard to find. The receptionist at your hotel probably won’t know then neighter. Here’s a list of funny art surprises hidden around town.
- Sawing guy – ‘Het zaag mannetje’ is a tiny statue who’s in a tree, sawing one of the branches of the tree, while he stands on the branch. It’s been there for almost 20 years now. It was placed in the night of Januari the 30th (1989), which is the queens birthday. That is one of the resons that there are consistent roumers that it was made by the queen herself. Whoever made it, it’s real nice and it puts a smile on my face every time I pass it.
- The Tits – On the oudekerk squere, right on the border of the red light distric are two breasts made out of bronze anchored in the floor. Just like the sawing guy, it suddenly appeared (in 1993) and the artist is unknown up until this day.
- Space invader thingies – I belive this is and international thing. Space invader mosaic’s taking over international cities. Amsterdam is filled with them. If you keep your eyes open you’ll find them under bridges, on walls and building all over town. Here’s a website with the exact (Amsterdam) locations of the arty computer graphics: http://www.space-invaders.com/amsterdam.html In the Utrechtsestraat / corner with Keizersgracht is one. Also on the blauwbrug near the stopera.
- Bridge poem – Under the bridge (not that bridge the Peppers are singing about, but the Vaz Diasbrug) at the Weesperstraat is a experimental poem about the Wibout region. You can only see it when the bridge opens and your on the right side; which is the center size.
- Anjeliersstraat – The first two artworks oon this list inspired the city hall to commission a likewise project in the Anjeliersstraat. Four little men are hanging here from buildings and rain pipes. And while you’re walking through this little jordaan street you can’t miss the accordion player in the façade of one of the houses.
