Queer Amsterdam: “We are trying to ensure that all voices in the community have a place”. This also includes space in the urban public space of Amsterdam, and beyond. In that context, we look back on (and look ahead to) what queer artists and works of art have left their mark on the public space of the NDSM wharf so far. But we also recognize that the queer community, in their entirety, is still heavily under-represented in the arts sector and in public spaces in general.

Zanele Muholi (they/service)

The South African Photographer Zanele Muholi is an engaged photographer who — through an activist lens — explores and documents South Africa's LGBTQI black identity. For more than twenty years, Muholi has been capturing black queer, transgender and intersex people through his lens. This has resulted in powerful contrasting black and white portraits that reclaim the meaning of “blackness” and undermine the clichéd, stereotypical images of black people. yesteryear in 2022, three of these images were shown on the NDSM billboards spread across the shipyard.

Goldendean (Dean Hutton) (she/them)

With work “Big Fat Trans Light Merqueer” made the South African Goldendean part of the (Come To) Light exhibition in 2021. This work is a hybrid between man and sea monster that seems to have crawled out of the IJ water, inspired by folk tales about sea-lake people. Goldendean shares moments of gentle courage to affirm the right of all bodies to exist, be celebrated, and protected. A tenderqueer invests in an audience to respond in a friendly way, to let our bodies be safe together, and to give queer space.

Yamuna Forzani (she/her)

Artist, designer, and queer activist Yamuna Forzani is currently on view at NDSM with her work 'Dazzle Trip': three visuals on the NDSM billboards, 'A big heart inflatable' inflatable, video installation in a shipping container and a special Dazzle Pont wrapped in a Dazzle wrap. This series of images and artworks celebrate gender diversity in public space and provides a glimpse into Forzani's universe. Inspired by challenging prints and graffiti influences, Forzani creates contemporary collages and graphic patterns with tags. If you zoom in on the patterns, you will see references to pop culture (symbols and emojis), but also an activist attitude, such as statements such as “trans rights are human rights”. In addition to being an active member and organizer in the ballroom community, Forzani is a winner of the Dutch Design Awards in 2022 and her work can also be seen in Rademakers Gallery.

Let Me Be Myself (2016)

The 240 m2 mural of Anne Frank's face in combination with a variety of colors and geometric shapes has become one of NDSM's eye-cathers.
This work, created by street artist Kobra commissioned by Stichting NDSM-werf and the STRAAT Museum, stands for the message of resistance, hope, freedom for all and against oppression of anyone. The portrait reminds passers-by of the importance of fully respecting everyone's identity.

The Narcosexuals

Production will arrive on September 16 and 17, 2023 The Narcosexuals by theater maker and artist Dries Verhoeven to NDSM. With this loop performance, Verhoeven explores the world of chem-sex: sexual drug use, a phenomenon that is gaining popularity especially among gay men. Scrolling through their phones, the players look for sex, top-shelf sex, sex beyond the imaginable. This production has been nominated for the VSCD Mime/Performance Award season 2022/2023.