Navid Nuur's Unique "Amsterdam Vase" to be Auctioned at Oude Kerk
The historic Oude Kerk in Amsterdam is set to auction the first of one hundred unique "Amsterdam Vases" created by artist Navid Nuur. This special project, titled "Vase Project NN XXX," captures the essence of the city within a traditional art form, with the first vase becoming available for bidding in late October. The initiative highlights the Oude Kerk's role as a contemporary cultural venue within its medieval setting.
The "Amsterdam Vase" Project: A City's Essence Captured
Between the winter of 2024 and 2025, Navid Nuur crafted a hundred distinct Amsterdam vases using local clay and materials. Each vase literally bears the imprint of the city, having been rolled against various façades, doors, bridges, and street furniture, absorbing the textures of Amsterdam. The glazes for these vases were also sourced locally, incorporating elements like shells from the IJ river, glass from local cafés, coals from a shawarma shop, ashes from a pizzeria, and silt from the canals. This process imbues each ancient object with the unique spirit and physical traces of Amsterdam.
Once created, these special vases are stored in the Oude Kerk's Iron Chapel, a centuries-old vault that historically safeguarded vital city documents, including the Toll Privilege of 1275, the oldest document to mention Amsterdam by name.
Participating in the Auction
The auction for the inaugural "Amsterdam Vase" by Navid Nuur will take place from October 20th at 00:00 until October 23rd at 21:25. This event offers a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of art deeply connected to the city's heritage and contemporary artistic practice.
For those interested in the broader context of the project, a factsheet is available detailing how all one hundred city vases will be auctioned sequentially over the next century. It also explains how the Oude Kerk plans to utilize the proceeds to support future art initiatives and elaborates on the historical significance of the Iron Chapel, along with background information on the artist. More details are available here.
Amsterdam 750 Anniversary Breakfast Event
Following the auction, on Monday, October 27th, the Oude Kerk will host an Amsterdam 750 Anniversary Breakfast. During this event, Navid Nuur will personally retrieve the auctioned vase from the Iron Chapel. The morning will also feature the premiere of a film documenting the making of the project and the official launch of a publication detailing the creation process of the vases. Visitors can sign up for the breakfast if they wish to attend.
This project and its accompanying events provide a distinctive way for visitors and residents to engage with Amsterdam's history, art, and ongoing cultural development.
To discover more cultural experiences in Amsterdam, including historical sites and contemporary art venues like the Oude Kerk, explore Musemap (musemap.art) for museums and galleries or browse what's on in the city.
