ART CITIES:Amsterdam -Laser 3.14

Born and raised in Amsterdam Laser 3.14 is best known for his poetic graffiti texts that can be found all around Amsterdam. “Orwell dreamed up 1984, we did the rest” or “Catch a dream and murder it” are some of Laser’s texts that can be read on the streets of Amsterdam. In 2009 Laser 3.14 released the book “Are you reading me“, which is a collection of pictures of his work around town.

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Vroom & Varossieau GalleryArchive

The solo exhibition of Laser 3.14, “Press Here for Some Counterculture”, inaugurates the new spaces of Vroom & Varossieau, a new gallery specialized in Street Art and Urban Contemporary Art. Working anonymously since the early ‘80s, the artist has been tagging the streets of his hometown with thought-provoking phrases that resonate with viewers. Laser 3.14 is a social provocateur, providing cultural commentary through his tags on temporary spaces in Amsterdam. His work is simple, often just one or two lines, encouraging provocation, reminding us truths, offering up his interpretation of the sadness, love, social injustice and moral qualms of which we are made. His true identity like most Street artists is a mystery, he prefers to work in complete anonymity, as Laser 3.14 said in an interview “I want my art to speak for itself, and not what I visually look like, to influence people’s interpretations or thoughts on it. The work and the words should be paramount, that’s what’s important to me”. Central to the exhibition is the presentation of a new body of work that has the artist move beyond the short arresting statements he’s known for into longer-form wordplay. In addition, Laser 3.14 has created a new wooden patchwork installation. With each piece operating as a sound byte of the now, the artist asks us to question the conflicting and complimentary statements he makes about our current social, cultural and political lives. As a counterpoint to the playful skepticism of the exhibition’s title, the artist will release a new “Troublemakers Make The World Go Round” Corten steel shield. In addition, work will be presented by Bansky, D*Face, Keith Haring and KAWS.

Info: Vroom & Varossieau Gallery, Willemsparkweg 134, Amsterdam, Duration: 1/4-15/5/16, Days & Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-18:00, www.vroomandvarossieau.com