Autumn at the Stedelijk

Stedelijk seems to be forever in the shadows of its relatively more popular museum brethren, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, which are likewise located on Museumplein. In truth, all three museums are worth a visit because they represent three different aspects of  Dutch art history. Whereas the Van Gogh focuses on the life of the world-renowned master and his 19th century contemporaries and influences, the Rijks gives a broader overview of both Dutch culture and Dutch history spanning from the 15th century until the 21st. By contrast, the Stedelijk focuses on modern artistic movements from across the world that may have less global popularity but in no way are less part of the art world. Although the modernity of the Stedelijk may turn out to be not for everyone, you will never know until you venture inside and allow yourself to be immersed in modern day masterpieces.

And just in time with the weather souring, the days getting shorter and the temperatures getting colder, the Stedelijk has brought out two new colorful exhibitions to distract us from the greyness of it all.

Lawrence Weiner: Written on the Wind, showing from September 21st 2013 until January 5th 2014, is described as a "comprehensive su

rvey of works on paper by Lawrence Weiner, one of the most culturally engaged artists of our time." Weiner is one of the central players within the Conceptual art movement of the 1960s, and remains one of the world's most significant artists still working today. The exhibit is co-produced by the Stedelijk and the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, where it first premiered this year. It is a survey of around 300 drawings - cartoons, notebook sketches, as well as formal works on paper - that takes the visitors through the artist's artistic trajectory. The entire exhibition was purposefully organized by the artist as an architectural installation in order to give the viewer the feeling of themselves being in a drawing. The artist has a deep connection to Amsterdam, where he has lived on and off since 1970.

The other exhibition occurring simultaneously is Paulina Olowska: Au Bonheur des Dames showing from 21 September 2013 until 27 January 2014. Paulina Golowska is one of the most fascinating artists of this generation. The exhibit consists of paintings, collages, and works in neon displayed in two adjacent spaces. One space will be devoted to the project "Cafe Bar" and the second - to the series "Accidental Collages". The exhibition is the artist's take on visions of fashion, art, feminism, as well as different views on the female consumer.

The Stedelijk Museum is located at Museumplein 10, and is open from 10a-6pm except Thursdays when it's open until 10pm.

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