Meet Moryz Haupt: New Intern Shares Insights on Street Art and Amsterdam's Nieuw-West
The Street Art Museum Amsterdam (SAMA) recently welcomed Moryz Haupt as its newest intern, bringing a fresh perspective from his academic background in Liberal Arts and Sciences at Amsterdam University College. Originally from Germany and having spent much of his life in Malaga, Spain, Moryz's journey to Amsterdam and SAMA highlights a personal connection to socially conscious art and urban exploration.
Moryz moved to Amsterdam to pursue his studies, drawn by the vibrant and international academic community. His search for an internship led him to SAMA, where he was immediately struck by the museum's unique, socially driven mission. For a student of history, culture, and media, SAMA presented an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, community-focused initiatives within the context of street art.
Discovering Amsterdam's Nieuw-West Through Art
Having lived in Amsterdam for nearly three years, Moryz is fascinated by the city's dynamic cultural landscape, noting the constant discovery of diverse and quirky elements, especially beyond the central areas. His internship at SAMA has also introduced him to Nieuw-West, the museum's home borough. He observes its architectural variety, which creates a less uniform feel than expected, and appreciates the thoughtful integration of nature.
Moryz finds the local blend of cultures in Nieuw-West to be complex and unique, notably less gentrified than other parts of Amsterdam. He values the area's refreshing humility and the absence of ubiquitous fast-food chains and multinational brands, which he believes contributes to its authentic character.
Contributing to SAMA's Digital Heritage and Community Engagement
During his one-month internship, Moryz is primarily involved with SAMA's "Digital Street Art Depot" project. This initiative focuses on collecting, organizing, and curating a vast archive of visual material for a digital database. He is also contributing to testing a novel VR memory capsule, evaluating its effectiveness as a cultural heritage tool by engaging various participants. Beyond these key tasks, Moryz supports SAMA's communications and branding efforts through social media content and blog contributions, and assists with general operations, including community dialogues and project logistics. For more on the VR capsule project, you can read about testing SAMA's VR memory capsule.
Moryz's appreciation for art has evolved to embrace unconventional and non-classical forms like street art, which he sees as breaking molds and speaking on overlooked topics. He is particularly interested in street art's role in urban life and what it reveals about the diverse populations of metropolises like Amsterdam.
Highlights from the SAMA Collection
When asked about his favorite artists and artworks within the SAMA collection, Moryz points to BTOY for her consistent and iconic presence in the area, whose works surprise viewers in unexpected urban corners. He also admires Bastardilla's Memories for its impressive scale and dazzling colors, acknowledging its popularity.
However, Moryz's personal favorite is Kenor's Hope. While perhaps not the most technically complex, he appreciates its effective simplicity in transforming a mundane underpass into a vibrant piece rich with pigment and texture. As an enthusiast of architecture and creative uses of public space, he is drawn to its visual depth and spectacular character.
Moryz's internship experience at SAMA underlines the museum's commitment to community involvement, a genuine and organic approach that resonates deeply with his own interests in the lived context of art and the stories of the people behind and around it.
Discover more about the vibrant street art scene and other cultural experiences in Amsterdam. Explore local museums and hidden gems by browsing our museum listings or viewing the city map on Musemap (musemap.art).
