Meltem Ulbegi paints 9th “art container”

The Amsterdam artist Meltem Ulbegi will create the ninth “art container” that is part of the ART-on-a-BOX project, which promotes Amsterdam as a container port. She will do so during the weekend from August 29 through 31 at the Uitmarkt in Amsterdam. The Uitmarkt is cultural event that ushers in the new cultural season and attracts hundreds of thousands of culture aficionados each year.

Under the public gaze at Uitmarkt cultural event

In 2003, Ulbegi graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy with distinction. The particular art container to be painted by her is named Treasure Box. It will show an unknown bit of life in Amsterdam, namely the underwater world in the port. Aquatic animals and tulip motifs will adorn the container.

The ART-on-a-BOX project involves twelve Amsterdam artists using twelve actual shipping containers as their “blank canvasses” under the admiring eyes of the public. The art continuers thus created over a 5-year period will go to congresses, trade fair and other public events. But after this “glamorous” spell, the containers will become part of the global flow of goods, while still flying the flag for Amsterdam and drawing attention to the city’s strengths – its entrepreneurial spirit, innovative prowess and creativity.

 ART-on-a-BOX is a joint project run by the Port of Amsterdam/City of Amsterdam (I Amsterdam campaign) and by companies/organizations operating in the port area, including the Ter Haak Group/Container Company Amsterdam, Ceres Paragon Terminal, Oram and Amports. ART-on-a-BOX aims to promote Amsterdam as a container port and global logistics hub.

 Container Port of Amsterdam is on a roll

In recent years, containers shipping to and from Amsterdam has really taken off. Three Asia-based services (EU1, EU2 and EU5) now serve the Port of Amsterdam. The transshipment of containers is expected to reach more than 450,000 TEUs this year. Growth in the transshipment of containers in Amsterdam was more than 26% last year and over 19% in the first half of this year.

 During the Uitmarkt event, the Port of Amsterdam is working together with Netherlands Media Art Institute (NIMk). For this occasion, the ship “Stubnitz” will dock at a location (head of land) called Kop van het Java-eiland. New media art will be shown in three halls inside the ship and also on deck. During the day, in one of these halls, films featuring the Port of Amsterdam will be screened. At the same time, Meltem Ulbegi will be creating the art container on the quay along the ship.

This year’s edition of the Uitmarkt will take place on the quays of the Zouthaven (Zout Port) near the Passengers Terminal Amsterdam, as well at the Kop van het Java-eiland.

More information?
For more information, please call Ab van der Neut, PR Officer for the Port of Amsterdam, at +31 (0)20 5234875 or (0)6 51171291. Alternatively, go to www.art-on-a-box.com and www.portofamsterdam.nl.