STRAAT, the world's largest museum of street art and graffiti, has made it its mission to showcase the diversity of talents, backgrounds and stories of what can rightly be called one of the leading art forms of the century.
Amsterdam Magazine spoke with STRAAT's curator and creative director, David Roos, who developed a keen interest in street art while studying international health in Berlin. Roos began capturing images of the artworks, posting them on Instagram and gaining an impressive following. Meeting a wide variety of artists and immersing himself in the street art scene provided the basis for turning his passion into his career.
How do you choose the artists to work with?
Initially everything was very improvised, but we are now working with a real plan to shape the different quarters of the museum. For example, one of our quarters focuses on political and social themes, creating awareness of the problems going on in the world. This social aspect is one of the pillars of street art. We now also have a section that shows how artists have been inspired by the Netherlands or Amsterdam. It makes connections to Dutch culture, such as remarkable buildings, food and old masters.
I want to represent the whole street art scene and highlight its diversity, which is why I want to include more female artists and people from different backgrounds. But it is also important to feature some of the amazing artists we have in the Netherlands. About 20% is Dutch. I think that reflects the scene well.
How does exhibiting street art in a building still honor the art form?
Our massive, industrial building plays a big role in this. You don't really feel like you're inside anyway, and the canvases are all the size of exterior walls. The artists use the same techniques and materials as outside, including scaffolding and elevators. We give them complete creative freedom to do whatever they want, so it's pretty much what you would see on the street. The only difference is that the artists are given a platform in the museum and we make sure their work is preserved. It doesn't get painted over, like on the street. The fact that most of the artworks are made on site (with the exception of a few pieces donated to the museum) means that visitors can actually see how they come to life and even have a chat with the artists, who are happy to explain the actual process. I really think this adds value to the overall experience. It makes this art form, which is currently booming, more accessible.
STRAAT is a great addition to the museum experience we have in Amsterdam. Showing street art in this way removes the taboo that it is just a rebellious art form and emphasizes how rich its history is.
What is the best way to experience STREET?
I suggest at least a couple of hours. I walk through the museum a lot and find that people really take their time. Some take at least four or five hours, stop in the café for a drink or lunch and then continue their visit. It is also a good idea to visit more often to get the chance to fully immerse yourself in the works of art.
Is there a particular piece you want to highlight?
Care Portal, an interactive piece by Jad El Khoury. It is a real rusty, bullet-ridden hatch from the civil war in Lebanon. We brought it to Amsterdam and asked visitors to write messages of hope and love on colored post-it bills for people living in war zones. The bills are sent to artists in these war zones, who choose keywords from them to depict on walls there. These works will be photographed and exhibited next year at a photo exhibition at STRAAT.
Street art encompasses much more than painting walls. From sculptures to installations, at STRAAT we really try to highlight all aspects of this diverse art form.
