Visit Modern Contemporary Museum (Moco) is a private museum located in the heart of Amsterdam that offers an exhibition dedicated to Banksy.
It also offers a unique interactive experience of contemporary art.
I tell you all about it in this article.
Banksy Museum in Amsterdam: article summary
The Moco Museum: at a glance
The Moco Museum is nestled between two of Amsterdam's other major museums, Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Located on Museumplein, Villa Alsbery is home to the Moco Museum. The villa's authenticity has been preserved and the story of its conception in 1904 celebrated by owners Lionel Logchies and Kim Logchies-Prins.
The building was designed by Eduard Cuypers, the nephew of Pierre Cuypers who designed the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Central Station. So the building is an experience in itself. Think traditional Dutch architecture punctuated by modern street art from around the world.
Banksy in Amsterdam: the permanent collection at the Moco Museum
Exhibitions are presented throughout the villa's different levels. Permanent works by Hirst & Dali, Koons, Haring, Basquiat, Kusama and Warhol are often unexpected and politically themed.
Just like the unauthorized collection of Banksy's pieces. His iconic works include "Girl with Balloon", "Flower Thrower", "Laugh now" and many others, are exposed indefinitely.
Many of the works in the Moco museum were first seen in the subways and streets, and some are displayed in their original forms, for example on wooden doors, giving the museum a unique atmosphere.
Major brands such as Disney, Dior and H & M feature in the permanent exhibits, highlighting the relevance of art to today's society and modern consumerism.
How to visit the Moco Museum and its Banksy collection in Amsterdam?
Be aware that during peak hours (weekends and between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.), the museum can seem quite crowded. Reduced-price tickets are available outside these peak hours on weekdays, because the museum remains open until 7 pm.
I advise you to book your tickets online to benefit from a discount and, above all, to avoid queuing on arrival. You won't have to queue for hours outside the museum.
Discounts for students and groups are also available. children under 10 enter free of charge.
Works of art not to be missed
While at the Moco Museum, don't forget to take a photo on the pink staircase and immerse yourself in Roy Lichtenstein's 3D installation room.
Take the time to read the descriptions of the works of art throughout the museum, or get the soundtrack. They really add to the overall experience and understanding of the art.
The Moco Garden is your latest museum experience. Like Alice in Wonderland, the site invites you to stroll through the garden and "lose yourself along the way". The garden's rooms are also international and constantly evolving.
Unlike many museums in the Netherlands, the Moco Museum allows you to take photographs, but you must not do not use flash to maintain the integrity of the works.
How do I get to the museum?
The Moco Museum is located just off Museumplein, between the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. You can easily take streetcar 2 or 12 to the Rijksmuseum stop from Amsterdam Centraal. Bicycle parking is available, as is a car parking.
The Moco Museum's historic villa comprises several levels accessible only by stairs. Unfortunately, this means that the museum is not wheelchair accessible.
If you want to see Banksy's work in one of Amsterdam's museums, you've got to visit the Moco. This is where you'll find numerous works of art and you can discover local and international artists during your visit.
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