Moco is a proudly independent museum located on Museumplein in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. As the name suggests, modern and contemporary art make up the inspiring and enlightening collection. Moco Museum is the private initiative of Lionel and Kim Logchies, who started the Lionel Gallery in Amsterdam. For over 20 years, the art couple has worked with names like Picasso, Dalí, Koons, Hirst, Kusama, Warhol, and Banksy.
What’s On:
Laugh Now by Banksy features more than 50 original artworks by Banksy. Some works are on loan from private collectors and would otherwise remain unseen – like Beanfield, which hasn’t been displayed since 2009. Other key pieces include the Laugh Now series, Barcode, Girl with Balloon, and Love Is In The Air (Flower Thrower).
Moco Masters is a revolving exhibition that highlights modern and contemporary artists who have inspired an enduring legacy. Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, and more.
Reflecting Forward by Studio Irma is a Digital Immersive Art exhibition with multiple rooms: Diamond Matrix, Kaleidoscope, We All Live in Bubbles, Connect the Dots & Universe.
“When we allow ourselves to be guided by compassion and empathy, we arrive at a brighter tomorrow.” – Studio Irma
Villa Alsberg
The collection is housed in the historic Villa Alsberg, a townhouse designed in 1904 by Eduard Cuypers the nephew of Pierre Cuypers, designer of Amsterdam Central Station and the Rijksmuseum. Historically reserved for the privileged, Moco Museum has taken over the space to make art accessible to everyone. Today, Moco has welcomed nearly 2 million visitors from over 120 different nations.
In art we trust
Moco makes it a point to exhibit work from artists who encourage important conversations. The Gun Chronicles by JR pays tribute to his Emmy-Nominated Project with Time Magazine. One-by-one, JR photographed, filmed, and interviewed 245 participants to present a diverse discussion about gun laws and ownership.
Icy & Sot are Iranian street artists, brothers, and activists. Their art deals with human rights and our global refugee crisis. Their work Let Her Be Free and Dream have augmented reality features via the Moco Play app.
Top 10 Highlights at Moco Museum
Banksy. Girl with Balloon
Girl with Balloon is proudly one of Banksy’s most empowering works.
Kaws. Final Days
Located in the Moco Garden, which is open to the public for free. The work is sculpted from afrormosia, a historic African wood, believed to hold spiritual energy.
Mark Rothko. Black Blue Painting
Mark Rothko leaves us with a lasting example of great control, peacefulness, elegance, and distance in Black Blue Painting.
Yayoi Kusama. Night of Stars
In her youth, Yayoi Kusama experienced hallucinations; describing them as ‘flashes of light, auras, or dense fields of dots’. Night of Stars hangs in its own immersive exhibition space at Moco.
Jean-Michel Basquiat. Untitled (Portrait of Steven Lack)
Jean-Michel Basquiat painted professionally for only seven years until his death in 1988 at the age of 27. In his signature code of words and symbols, he depicts Steven Lack – actor, artist, and former roommate.
Banksy. Ten Monkeys
Originally made for a night club in the UK, this rare stencil piece features an army of ten monkeys. Standing side by side, they issue a warning: Laugh now, but one day we’ll be in charge.
Stik. Little Friend
Stik uses stick figures, made of six lines and two dots, to connect with communities around the world.
Andy Warhol. Dollar
The iconic Pop artist’s work represents the intersection between art and wealth – and the idea that one can’t exist without the other.
Keith Haring. Untitled (Telephone)
Keith Haring is the young pop-graffiti artist who believed that art is the device that connects and unites us.
Studio Irma. Diamond Matrix
Diamond Matrix is part of the Digital Immersive Art exhibition Reflecting Forward by Studio Irma. A diamond is like us, made of carbon and under great pressure, it starts to shine. Every diamond visitor can explore, connect, and shine in their own way.
A visit to Moco not only puts you in the art center of Amsterdam but leaves you with an unforgettable, eye-opening experience. Yet, the adventure continues when you download the free Moco Outside App and experience the World’s first digital open air museum on Museumplein.
In art we trust.