In & Out of Amsterdam

catalogue to the exhibition at MoMA from July 19–October 5, 2009

During the 1960s and 70s, Amsterdam was a nexus of intense art activities, drawing artists from all over the world, including Stanley Brouwn, Gilbert & George, Sol LeWitt, Charlotte Posenenske, Allen Ruppersberg and Lawrence Weiner. Reciprocally, some of the most influential Dutch artists traveled abroad extensively before establishing themselves in Amsterdam: Jan Dibbets studied in London, while Ger van Elk and Bas Jan Ader trained in Los Angeles. As a result of this new mobility, a dynamic cross-pollination of ideas and influences took place between artists of different nationalities, and many produced works directly related to the notion of travel and the city that fostered them. In & Out of Amsterdam presents more than 120 works--including works on paper, installations, photographs and films--by artists who were part of this remarkable creative culture. Essays, accompanied by lively illustrations and documentary photographs, illuminate the significance of these works as well as the unprecedented role that prints, bulletins, posters, mail art, artists' books and ephemera played in the artists' discourse. A brief essay or interview introduces each artist, and an extensive chronology, bibliography and illustrated checklist round out this unique volume.