Happy Birthday Amsterdam

Amsterdam has been host to many artists throughout the centuries

Known as the place to be for free and creative spirits, the city was and remains a hotspot for creators from all over the world. To celebrate this, Happy Birthday Amsterdam presents a colourful and rich collection of artworks about, by and for the city.

Rather than a historical overview, the exhibition is a festive ode to Amsterdam and the creatives who lived, worked and resided there. Sometimes their whole lives, sometimes just passing through, but all of them contribute(d) to the image we have of the city today. From Karel Appel to Marina Abramović to Johan Cruijff through the eyes of Marlene Dumas.

(Re)discover Amsterdam in three chapters

Amsterdam’s cityscapes features a variety of depictions of the seven districts of the city, including their diverse inhabitants. Jacob Olie, Willem Witsen and George Hendrik Breitner show the city-centre around 1900, for example. Modern and contemporary artists focus on new parts of the ever-expanding city; each with a unique style, palate and signature.

Amsterdam’s city life shows the buoyant energy of Amsterdamers. From the rebellious provo movement in the 1960s to the deeply embedded local culture, there is never a dull moment here. Theatres, concerts and the world-famous club scene also contribute to this. The artists in this section present their take on the city of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, where everyone should be able to freely be themselves.

Amsterdam’s heritage is about the city’s distinctive visual features. Not only the beloved canals (Unesco World Heritage since 2010), but the eye-catching art and culture on the streets deserve museum treatment as well. From numerous open-air sculptures to iconic street furniture, Amsterdam is an endless treasure trove that you can explore on bike and on foot. And now in H'ART Museum, too.

Happy Birthday Amsterdam captures the essence of the city: colourful, diverse and outspoken. But whether you live here or are visiting for the first time, this extraordinary exhibition is for everyone. Experience the city through the eyes of some of the exceptional artists it harboured, and fall in love with Amsterdam the way they did.