dinsdag 16 september 2014

Open Monuments Day (3)

The next visit was at the former cavalry barracks which now are turned into the Royal Academy of Visual Arts. In 1865, new cavalry barracks were commisioned by the Ministry of War to be built at the former Muiden fort.

The four wings were constructed in austere neoclassical style, each with a gate and surrounding a rectangular courtyard. On the groundflour, there were stables for twohundred horses. 

Troops were stationed in the first floor and in the attic, and hay and straw were also stored there. In 1874, an indoor riding school with an iron roof was built next to the barracks. After the Second World War, the buildings gradually became obsolete and they were increasingly used as a storage facility for the adjacent Royal Medicine Warehouse.

From 1989 until 1992 the complex was extensively rebuilt by architect Koen van Velzen into an artist residence which recently purchased the building. This is the painting workshop.

And another corner of the workshop.

We saw an example of the art by one of the students.

This little visiter was not so impressed.

The students collect all kind of interesting materials to expres their artworks.


12 opmerkingen:

  1. Glad to see it being put to new use rather than torn down.

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  2. What a perfect setting for an artist studio...with all that light. Thanks for this tour.

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  3. What a history! It would be a very different place with 200 horses in the building and area.

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  4. It is being put to much better use these days. Say, I can paint like that. I must be an artist.

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  5. Lijkt me een prima nieuwe bestemming voor dit gebouw.

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  6. wow, i can see you really did a lot on monumentenweekend. we managed to visit only one thing. ah no, 2!!! not so bad then... :)

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  7. It's a good new use. The architectural style reminds me of the drill hall here downtown.

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  8. That must have been something having 200 horses there back in the day.

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  9. I love the windows and they look like they let in quite a bit of light. Perfect for artists at work!

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  10. Dearest Marianne,
    For a good reason the adjacent riding school had a metal roof with that much hay and such around as a fire hazard.
    Incredible buildings and they look far more impressive than the art work... I'm like that little boy!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  11. The building has an interesting history.

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  12. Imagine it filled with 200 horses, and troops! And now it's new life is art. How interesting.

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