Is this a Gallery or what?

Well, actually it is, but NOT your typical one!

If you live in Amsterdam and you are a “gallery lover” it is impossible that you do not know the famous district of Spiegelkwartier right next to Museumplein. Personally, even if I am familiar with this area since I moved to Amsterdam I cannot say that I visit it quite often.

WHY: Because I have a big aversion when it comes to kind of "elite" places.

Even if many museums globally have made huge steps when it comes to community engagement, display of modern and up to date art pieces and new faces in the art industry, a big part of galleries unfortunately is still stuck to an outdated and "faded" past. Of course the whole game as far as “the big money” is concerned is played in them, with many art collectors ‘’fighting’’ for who is going to spend more on a single piece of art. This is not my cup of tea and thus I only visit galleries on special occasions.

It was just a few months ago when for the first time I found something interesting in this area. My eyes stuck on a yellow sign stating THIS IS NOT A GALLERY. The doors were closed back then so I couldn’t really check what it was about. Afterwards, I found that it was The Public House of Art, which for four months now has been part of the “gallery ghetto” in Spiegelkwartier, thanks to Sid Sanders (Founder).

Since then I have read quite many articles regarding The Public House of Art with none of them being negative or even close to critical.

You know….I have this habit of being very skeptical when something is praised by everyone especially when it’s new, since I believe that everything needs some time in order to prove its value. Having this in mind, today I decided that finally it was my time to visit The Public House of Art.

From all the pictures that I have seen online, I thought that somehow I will be familiar with the space when I’ll get there and it will be quite difficult for me to get impressed. I was wrong!

I LIKED

THE STAFF makes you feel really welcome from the moment you enter, always willing to reply to any of your questions and thankfully not getting on your nerves with the typical regular question: Can I help you?

Everything is FRESH! The Public House of Art collaborates with old and new artists in the industry and brings to its audience a great number of extraordinary and unique pieces full of color, high resolution and great aesthetics.

THE DECORATION. With a pallet of gold, white and black, the space embraces minimal letting your eyes to stick on the amazing pieces displayed in various sizes.

THE ARTWORKS are AWESOME! Of course they are since the overall theme is called “The Awesome”. You immediately get immersed in the colorfulness of the photography collages by Barbara van den Berg representing her visionary characters. Moving further, you get struck by the dark elegance that Jenny Boot adapts on the way she represents famous superheroes including Batman or Joker as a little boy. Eric Guo follows the same dark path with his extraordinary portraits of Chinese girls cut in half, looking frozen, sceptical or shocked. Among others you will find exquisite pieces by Deji, Valay Shende and Shemara.

DIVERSITY. The Public House of Art is diverse for sure. Apart from the international identity of its artists, the staff is also multi culti.

When something makes me laugh...I adore it. THE GENIUS QUOTES displayed inside the golden frames are simply hilarious!

THE PRICING SYSTEM. You can buy a House (100 euro), a Villa (375 euro), a Mansion (750 euro) or go for the big Castle (1500 euro). All these represent the different sizes of the artworks that come either alone or within handmade frames. Further, there are only thirty copies of each artwork which makes it a limited (and well worth the money) offer.

The Jazz beats!!!

The very discrete, brief and to the point labels.

I MISSED

The selection of the artists displayed is again role of the curators. This is fine since that’s one of their many responsibilities, but I would expect something different from this new project by involving also public members.

There is not much going on with the public, at least onsite. It would be great if public members could showcase their artworks or volunteer for the gallery.

If you are not willing to buy something you are done really fast. It is just the beginning but I really hope that they will be other activities or a social space incorporated in their future plans.

Those three exist in most of the galleries but this one has the potentials to incorporate them and more.

I HOPE

That The Public House of Art will stay as it is and that it will grow bigger.

FINAL VERDICT

Positive!

The Public House of Art brings something new that we definitely need! Of course there are already many contemporary art galleries out there but this one is more than that.

Art is for all and it should be both accessible by and affordable for everyone. I found pieces during my visit that I would definitely like to hang on my wall. Pieces affordable but valuable at the same time!

The Public House of Art

Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 39, 1017 DC Amsterdam, Netherlands

email: info@publichouseofart.com

tel: +31 20 2402551

F: The Public House of Art

T: @PHoA_Ams

MUSION FRAMES