I recently found myself in some corners of Schiphol airport that I had never seen before. Comfy nooks and unique spaces where some creative ideas have been put into action. And in the coming week I'll show you a few of those places and moments using video.

Today I wanted to start with a 1 minute glance of the Rijksmuseum Schiphol. Now plenty of people have heard about the big Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, one of the most important art museums in the country. But what you may not have realized is that somehow they built a little Rijksmuseum for Schiphol airport where travellers can take in some of the same beloved pieces one might also spot in the big museum. And of course, just like at the main museum, if you really like something you see on display, you can just walk downstairs to the giftshop and pick up a poster and get over to your gate in time for takeoff.

Interesting factoid that I learned while I was there: the box structure the museum is housed in, was specially built to be uneffected by the vibration of planes landing and taking off outside. In effect, it is almost like it is suspended in mid-air.

Here's that 1-minute glance of what I'm talking about.

Longtime readers of this blog will remember me mentioning the miniature version of the Netherlands known as Madurodam, located in the Hague. Naturally I recommend it to anyone, all ages, all interests, as a simple visit while in the Hague.

According to the website:

Children can draw and tinker at Bert and Ernie's place, enjoy themselves at the Broccoli Forest, count with Count von Count and listen to stories in the Sesame Street dunes.

This will continue until October, which is convenient for any families making longer term plans for a visit to the Netherlands and more specifically, the Hague. If you do make it, send my regards to Oscar, he always got a bad rap in my opinion.

Some more art for you this weekend. The Jordaan area will be the host of the “Open Studios Tour”.
Started as a small-scale initiative in 1988, this year seventy artists and collectives will open the doors to their studios. Each will be represented by one work at the Central Exhibition, where you can also pick up an itinerary, with every participating artist marked on a map. The Central Exhibition is free, and open on May 10, 11 & 12 from noon till 6 pm.

The address is: Dancestreet, Eerste Rozendwarsstraat 10 (corner Rozengracht)

Art Pie International is for real. Originally founded as a response to the KunstRai art festival, Kunstvlaai features non established artists. Instead of being held at Rai it is held at Westergasfabriek. And as the years have gone on (since 1997) API has gained international acclaim.

This years Art Pie begins on May 10th and goes until May 18th. It features work by - among the nationalities- Dutch, Japanese, Italian, American, and Danish artists. Tickets are 6 euro but you can only buy them during the festival at the central box office of the Westergasterrein.

Highly recommended, enjoy the international pie.

Art Amsterdam, located in the RAI exhibition and conference center (south of Amsterdam) will be on for 5 days this month (from the 7th to the 12th). Over 125 galleries both Dutch and international will be participating - over a quarter international, from Korea, the USA, Germany, Belgium and more. This year will highlight art collections and many professional art collectors are invited- but you and I can surely fit in somewhere too!

Spend a decent amount of time in Amsterdam, either as a tourist, worker, or student, and you'll eventually see some form of container housing. Over the past decade, as builders struggle to keep up with demands, housing corporations and the city of Amsterdam have had to get creative, hence the shipping containers. What used to be a container that would travel around the world or sit on the docks of some port city, are given windows, heating, plumbing, and all the basic characteristics of a livable apartment. The only caveat being, you're in a container!

But nothing I'm telling you is new news in this town.

What is new is that one of the largest housing corporations in the city has started a container housing building factory. The facility is located in the East of Amsterdam and will be focused on giving job and skills training to young people. Don't worry, they will only work 2 days a week and training jobs at the container factory will only last a few months.

It is expected that the factory will produce 200 container housing units per year. So while they may not be the MOST comfortable housing in the city, it is good to know there is another initiative for not only creating more housing, but also for giving young people a chance to learn something practical for the future.

It was second easter day, which usually comes after the first easter day, and I found myself rambling into the Hague after a long journey. It was just after midnight and there was this occasional snow that could either make you jump or joy or drive you crazy.

In between insane snow action, I noticed many signs along the road in the Hague. Most of them were advertising the Picasso exhibition at the City Museum.

The exhibit features work from his entire career. In addition there are photographs of him creating his masterpieces. I'm extra curious about the photograph part as usually I find myself wondering what has going on in the room, what things looked like around the person who was doing the painting.

The exhibit only lasts til March 30th. For directions Ill pass you the address of the museum, or otherwise follow the link. (in Dutch)

Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
Stadhouderslaan 41
2517 HV Den Haag

I found myself at a table in a café with some very beautiful Spanish girls in town for Easter weekend. Though disappointed with the buckets of rain falling from the sky, they had nothing but praise for the Magnum photography exihibit going on now until mid-May at the Stedelijk Museum CS.

I have alot of respect for Magnum photography, they have captured some of the most powerful and important images of the last decades. For this reason, I recommend you wander over, just a few steps from Central Station, and see this latest exhibit of their world-reknown photography.

Yes that's what I wrote. The Current Events Corner of the Amsterdam Historical Museum is currently featuring... cesspits! Archaeologist findings include earthenware and glassware in addition to the expected excrement, urine and kitchen scraps, all disposed of centuries ago. These pits "contain a wealth of information about the people of yesteryear." Open till April 1st.

I got the message this afternoon on twitter, "are you going to the smartmob event in Utrecht." There wasn't even enough time to get there, with only a few hours before everyone from all over the internets came together at Utrecht Central Station for a classic freeze action. You know, where everyone just stops; holds a pose for 5 minutes.

I've been combing the video sites for evidence of the event, and so far there are only a few on youtube, and many on the Dutch news. Hopefully sometime soon we'll have one in Amsterdam or Rotterdam. In the meantime, enjoy the video of the freeze action. And here's a link to more.