14 and already quite the social butterfly. Amsterdam Art Week is entering its teenage years, and judging by this year’s lineup, it’s got a rather busy social calendar.From gallery openings and artist encounters to parties that make a very convincing case for staying out past your bedtime, the 14th edition is looking particularly promising. And while the art world can sometimes feel like an invitation only affair, we’re firm believers that art is for everyone. You don’t need to know your way around a gallery, recognise every name on the wall or have an opinion on conceptual art to get involved. A little curiosity will do just fine.Between all the exhibitions, performances and special happenings, we’ll be doing a fair bit of bopping around town come November 18. But with so much going on, where does one even begin?We’ve taken the liberty of cutting through the maze and bookmarking the things we’re most excited about. Consider this our A(a) take on Amsterdam Art Week, with a few must visits, some late nights and plenty of reasons to keep your calendar open.See you around town.
INDEBT x diez invites…
From November 18 / INDEBT
An international gallery gathering in a building that’s still very much a work in progress. INDEBT and diez bring together galleries from London, Berlin and beyond for a collective exhibition inside the former school and mosque.
Part of the programming? The not-to miss afterparty powered by Minor Attractions on the 21st at INDEBT
Names In Our Veins with FX Harsono and Vincent Ruijters
From November 18 / Buro Stedelijk
Two generations of Chinese-Indonesian artists, two very different relationships with identity, memory and belonging. FX Harsono and Vincent Ruijters explore the histories we inherit, the ones that have been erased and what it means to piece them back together.
Festive Gallery Night
November 19 / 17:00-21:00
One evening, countless gallery doors open and absolutely no reason to stay home. Amsterdam’s galleries are staying open late for a night of new exhibitions, artist encounters and a little art hopping around the city. Consider this your invitation to wander.
Days like razors, nights full of rats by Frida Orupabo
From November 19 / Stevenson
Description: For her first solo exhibition in the Netherlands, Frida Orupabo brings together her distinctive collages and archival imagery to explore Black political histories, power and the forces that can unravel movements from within.
Artist Meet and Exhibition Tour: The Table
November 19 / 17:00 – 18:00/ Homecoming Gallery
Description: Who’s sitting at the table, and who’s been left out of the conversation? Homecoming Gallery brings together an international group of artists to explore power, belonging and the simple act of gathering, with an artist-led tour offering a closer look at the work and the ideas behind it.
Open Studios Rijksakademie
November 19 – 22 / Sarphatistraat 470
Description: One of our favourite opportunities to see what Amsterdam’s next generation of artists has been getting up to behind closed doors. For four days, 48 Rijksakademie residents open their studios, sharing experiments, works in progress and a glimpse into their worlds.
Night Gallery presents: Multisexual Dance Experience
November 20 / from 21:00 / The Loft
Description: Is it an exhibition? Is it a party? With Multisex involved, we’re guessing a little bit of both. Taking over The Loft, expect live performances, an immersive installation by BIOTOPE and, naturally, a healthy dose of Multisexual Dance Music. The programme is a secret, but the dance floor is calling.
Opening: Bodies of water: Amsterdam Art Week x Rietveld Alumni i.c.w. Waterschap Amstel, Gooi & Vecht
November 20 / 18:00 – 20:00 / De Rietveld Academie at Volkshotel
Description:Water is everywhere in Amsterdam, but how often do we stop to think about what it means beyond the canals? Twelve Rietveld alumni explore water as a connection between bodies, landscapes, politics and memory, with an exhibition that looks well beyond the surface.
Cellar Series: ity presents Imaginarium
November 21 / 19:30–21:00 / Hartwig Proxy
Description: An evening at Hartwig Proxy under the intriguing title “Imaginarium”, presented as part of the Cellar Series by ity. Further programme details are still to be confirmed, so consider this one to keep on your radar.
Official AAW26 Afterparty curated by Lentekabinet
November 21 / 22:30 – 04:00 / ISO
Description: Because apparently, looking at art all day isn’t quite enough. ISO and Lentekabinet are taking over a newly added warehouse for a night where performance, contemporary art and music meet, with an opening performance by Ines Borovac and more than 40 artworks on view. The DJ lineup is still under wraps.
Viewing: Flowstones/Surrender over a drink
November 21 / 16:00 – 20:00 / Brandt Gallery, Bethaniënstraat 39
Two Rotterdam artists, two very different ways of looking at the things we hold onto. Audrey Large explores the strange territory between digital fabrication and sculptural objects, while Jonas Lutz reconstructs the type of house party adulthood seems to have taken away from us.
