Robodock arts festival in Amsterdam
A multi disciplinary, contemporary art festival at the huge, rough, industrial warehouse of the former NDSM shipyard in the North of Amsterdam. Robodock exists since 1997 and each year has a different, general theme; in 2007 it has been `Rhythm and Time´. The festival invites artists from Europe and North America for a four days event, to give all kind of performances - fire shows, industrial installations, multi-media performances. A lot of loud music guaranteed.
The feeling is rough, aggressive, industrial and exciting. In 2007 one of the invited artistic groups - The Survival Research Laboratories from San Francisco with it foremost artist Mark Pauline (who during his heavy artistic past had already lost fingers from his right hand and surgeons had to saw of two of his toes on) proudly declared about their performances: ‘the most dangerous shows on earth, never minding the public’. Robodock house rules forbid you to take a dog or a child, you have to be at least 16 to enter, no drinks, no food, no glass, no weapons (yes, leave your Uzi in the safe at your hotel) and no drugs. Searches possible at the entry. One of the ways of getting there is to take a ferry leaving the Central Station across the Ij-haven (the port) direction the yard and to walk through the new area of Amsterdam under construction, which is adding to this rough, industrial atmosphere which characterizes the Robodock, a unique meeting of art and technology.
Timing
Four days in mid-September of each year
Venue
NDSM Werf, Amsterdam Noord
Contact
Robodock Festival - Stichting ADeM
Postbus 58364
1040 HJ Amsterdam
Artistic Director: Maik ter Veer
e-mail: info@robodock.org
How to get there
With the ferry: take the boat behind the Central Station, the one which leaves from the first quay on the left; twice an hour, at -:15 and -:45 of each hour. You will have to walk for 10 minutes to the NDSM shipyard or take your bike on the ferry and cycle. The ferry is free.
With the bus: from the Central Station take a bus line 35 direction of Molenwijk, exit at the stop Atatürk or a bus lines 38, 94 direction Zaandam and exit at the stop Klaprozenweg. Walk for 5 minutes to the NDSM shipyard.
By car: from the Amsterdam ring A10 take an exit S118 (Tuindorp Oostzaan) and follow the signs Industrieterrein Noord 1; turn right in the Van Riemsdijkweg. You may park your car around the NDSM shipyard.
Tickets
Tickets start € 17,50 for one event, depending the show. Older people (65+) receive € 5,- rebate.
Websites
http://www.robodock.org
http://www.youtube.com/robodock