Amsterdam, September 19, 2023
A giant flamingo installation standing at 7 meters by renowned Spanish street artist and 'artivist' Dulk will be added to the permanent collection of the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam. The installation will be the centerpiece of the Urban Artivism exhibition starting from October 13, 2023, which focuses on raising awareness about climate change. Within this journey throughout the entire museum, there are 15 artworks by street artists addressing this highly relevant theme. This marks the second project realized by STRAAT under the sponsorship of ABN AMRO.
Street art and graffiti are powerful means of activism that enable artists to express their views and advocate for social and political change. In recent years, these art forms have also played a significant role in raising awareness about environmental issues and the urgency of addressing them.
Giant flamingo
A part of this gigantic flamingo featured prominently in Rondalla del Fang, Dulk's exhibition held at the CCCC (Centro del Carmen de Cultura Contemporánea) in Valencia in 2021. The artwork has been modified and adapted into a custom version for STRAAT and refers to the Albufera Nature Park near Valencia, Spain, where the existence of these flamingos is being threatened. The piece invites the viewer to become part of an imaginary world full of energy, with a special sensitivity to color. Through this dreamlike world of animals and nature, Dulk tells a personal yet universal story. Starting from October 6, the artist and his team will be working live at STRAAT.
Path for all ages
Painted symbols on the floor will guide visitors - young and old - to different artworks focused on creating environmental awareness. A special audio tour provides information about the artists and various 'problematic' facts to increase environmental consciousness. Children can pick up coloring sheets created by Dulk at the museum shop at the end of their visit. Information pillars in the museum further highlight various activist stories and important milestones in the history of graffiti and street art.
About Dulk
Antonio Segura (artist name Dulk), born in 1983, is one of the foremost street artists from Valencia, Spain. He began his career with street art and murals but constantly reinvents himself by exploring new media, including drawing, sculpture art, and photography. Dulk is known for his portraits of endangered species. Through sculpture art, installations, and painting, we see his version of a menagerie of creatures remarkably evolve to prevent the conquest or loss of their habitat. Due to environmental stressors resulting from climate challenges, the evolution of many species is changing. In Dulk's surreal world, this transformation is further emphasized, for example, by the addition of tusks and spiky teeth. This allows endangered species to fend off the negative influence of human hands and become impervious. Dulk's portraits symbolically illustrate a history of conflict and greed, encouraging the audience to look consciously towards the future.
Urban Artivism will be on display at STRAAT from October 13, 2023, till January 28, 2024, at NDSM-Plein 1 in Amsterdam. For more information, visit straatmuseum.com or instagram.com/straatmuseum.
About STRAAT Museum
STRAAT is the museum for street art and graffiti. Located in a massive shipyard warehouse at the NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam, it showcases over 160 giant artworks created on-site by international artists. The collection is regularly expanded, giving visitors the opportunity to see artists at work.
About ABN AMRO Sponsorship
Guided by the purpose 'Banking for Better, for Generations to come,' ABN AMRO utilizes sponsorship to contribute to society's advancement. The bank takes its social responsibility seriously, particularly in the areas of the planet (sustainability) and people (equal opportunities for all), through various channels. In sponsorship, ABN AMRO aims to be a catalyst by forming the right partnerships and setting concrete goals related to sustainability and equal opportunities, whether in sports, society, or arts and culture.
Editor’s Note - Not for Publication
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 11 a.m., Dulk will provide a personal explanation of his work. RSVP and other press requests can be sent to Heidi Vandamme: bureau@heidivandamme.nl | +31 (0)6 295 32 686.
For inquiries about ABN AMRO, please contact ABN AMRO Press Relations: pressrelations@nl.abnamro.com | +31 (0)20 6288900.
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