He doesn't know much about art ...

... but he knows what he likes.* Which is video gaming. And I've discovered that one of the best ways to get PJ out of the house of a weekend to see a bit of culture is to find a video gaming exhibition. That's what took us to Tilberg several years ago -- there's no other reason to go to Tilberg, trust me -- and it's what took us to the Stedelijk Museum this afternoon. "Next Level. Art, Games, & Reality" was the title, but it basically seemed like an excuse for various artists to spend lots of time playing video games and then dreaming up the usual arty bollox to go on the little cards on the wall next to their "installations". For example, one "artist" made a video collage of lots of game characters commiting suicide -- usually by falling on top of bombs they'd thrown or by jumping off high buildings. Very entertaining to watch (particularly as PJ kept up a somewhat scary running commentary on which games the deaths were from), but I'm not wholly convinced of its artistic merit. However, PJ is most reassured that when he's running and jumping across levels -- and missing -- he's not just being crap, he's being creative.

There was also an exhibition called "Mapping the Studio", looking at the relationship of the artist to his/her studio. One artist came up with the convenient line that "art is what an artist does, when he is just sitting about in his studio". So, making a cup of tea is art -- if you're an artist and you're in your studio. Picking your nose is art -- if you're an artist and you're in your studio. Scratching your arse is art -- if ... you can see where I'm going with this. I resisted the urge to scream "Get a bloody job, you idle layabouts" and instead admired the post-industrial decay of the condemned office block that the Stedelijk is temporarily housed in. Exposed reinforced steel joists? Poured concrete? Chipboard staircases? Love it!

Our final bit of culture involved getting a drink at the new Muziek Gebouw Aan T'IJ (concert hall on the IJ -- the river/harbour area behind Centraal Station). Despite the icy wind that whipped round the corner of this impressive new structure and across the cafe's deck, it was very pleasant to be outdoors, watching the river traffic going past. Long cruise ships heading for the Rhine, tourist boats, and even a steam-powered tug all negotiated the grey, choppy waters. The new building is lovely (more poured concrete), although, depressingly, I can say that I remember when all this was fields -- which makes me feel like I've been here for too long. One day, we might even make it back there to hear some music. Little bit of culture? Lovely!

  

* PJ would just like me to point out that he used to know quite a lot about art, and that I am exaggerating for dramatic effect. Well, duh!