After closing more than five years ago to undergo extensive renovations, and suffering several false starts along the way, the STEDELIJK MUSEUM in Amsterdam finally opened its doors once again this week. The building alone makes the museum worthy of a visit, as it dates from the late 1800s and is dressed in an impressive red brick façade, though to the delight of Amsterdamers and tourists alike, at last some (but sadly far from all) of its rooms are now starting to be filled with the museum’s vast collection of contemporary artworks. Among those on display are pieces such as the amazing black and white room by Ms. BARBARA KRUGER (see above) and a video installation by Ms. RINEKE DIJKSTRA (click the KRUGER image for a photograph). This, however, is just a temporary opening to help quell some of the growing criticism of the museum’s tardiness. Its new wing – which resembles an enormous bathtub – will display a range of experimental and video art, and is due to see its first visitors next year.

















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