Amsterdam's Red Light Rooms Become Art Studios

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Apr 29th 2009 at 10:02PM

Amsterdam's red light district has always been as much of a tourist attraction as a place of infamous business but now some of the brothel rooms are being turned into art studios. Reuters reports on Redlight Art Amsterdam, a project that is part of plans to revitalize the city by limiting the number of brothels and coffee shops selling marijuana. Prostitution is still legal in the Netherlands and some women are still in business next to the artists.

Some of the purchased buildings will eventually be given a permanent function for the city but for one year they offer national and international artists a chance to display their creations. There are eight artists participating in the project and a final exhibition is planned for the second half of the year.

Amsterdam has been wrestling with its most notorious industry for a long time. The move to legalize prostitution in 2000 took place to help curb gangster activity in the sex trade. The Dutch government is trying to clean up organized crime but some feel that it is going to far and that tourism will suffer as the city loses its edge. A large portion of the tourists who visit the city are attracted by the cannabis coffee shops and the liberal attitude toward prostitution. The city is hoping that by limiting the spread of the coffee shops and prostitution to a few key areas it will be able to attract a new crop of tourists more interested in Amsterdam's museums and scenic charms.

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Tags: amsterdam, art, art studios, ArtStudios, public art, PublicArt, red light district, RedLightDistrict

Filed under: Art

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

greeneyeddancer1 May 3rd 2009 10:18PM

another story on whores..wasted time and wasted space..just as they and their perverted,diseased johns are...

Jaqq May 4th 2009 12:52AM

Wow! I always thought sexy articles were fun to read.

Jiminy Cricket May 4th 2009 1:37AM

You aren't the Craigslist Killer are you?

cigfried May 4th 2009 3:48AM

crazy crazy how people can let a little urge be the total driving force in life which may end their life,huh, well i hope they all piss fire and cry all the way to the doctor , cause thats just what it takes for some people to obtain some morals ,right??

Gil May 4th 2009 2:59AM

Wow Hookers and Hemp, If they would put a donut shop in between the "Busisness" it would be like.....heaven I would call it Hooker's, Holes, and Hemp. A place where there's always something for the Whole family.Mention this ad and receive a free Hooker or Hole (with purchase of any Hemp product) offer not valid to employes or there familys and must not enter more than once (wink wink) offer is for one hooker or hole and must be eatin on day of purchase no substitutions offer is good for one Around the world or half and half. Greek and cleavland stemers are available with 8 hour notice and cleaning charge Hey dont just get a doughnut...Get yo nut sounds like a winner Ka Ching

Hans friend May 4th 2009 5:09AM

All these things as old as time, they may not have called a donut the same but baked goods still the same. I think they have a great concept if these are the entertainments you enjoy... then enjoy. To bad we are so restricted on what we can enjoy. Only things that are approved by laws. In which there laws allow it. The friends from there think it is not a big deal until they come here and see we don't even have the choice.