Orange and Blue, Van Gogh Knew

A while back I (Bill) watched this video and was intrigued at how our emotions can be manipulated by colors and that filmmakers particularly concentrate on orange and blue. This week when I was browsing through the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam they made a big deal of how he used orange and blue in a halo around his head in this particular self portrait. This wasn't his own intuition but was his reaction and attempt to apply to the latest science on colors and physiological reactions to them, even still it's impressive that he was on to this in 1887.

Anyway, here are some pictures of our time in Amsterdam so far.

Van Gogh's Sunflowers. This is a print, although we did see the real thing which was fantastic for me.

Just outside of The Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the most visited in Amsterdam, huge building, with this fabulous garden just outside. The archway behind us is actually a passageway that might as well be a superhighway for bikes. Yes, it's absolutely true, all types and kinds use bikes to get everywhere, Kenzi saw a woman riding a bike while talking on a cell phone AND crying, they are a very talented folk.

Neat bit of sculpture that you can very physically interact with

A bit further on there was a massive set of letter spelling out "Iamsterdam." I climbed up between the "r"and "e" and would rate it a 5.3 on the YDS.

Stedelijk Museum, Modern Art or Plumbing?

The Stedelijk Museum of modern art is right next to the Van Gogh museum physically and metaphorically, as Van Gogh has a huge influence on 20th century art. Looks like a bathtub to me... 

The reason we chose Amsterdam in the first place: tulip season

So Mid April is peak season for tulips and they actually have a tulip festival in April where planters with tulips are all over the city, it really is wonderful.

Colors everywhere, lots of colorful food even

This is for 2 people! And you thought the Smart Car was small!

Typical houses on the canal front in Amsterdam.

Atlas showing strain under the weight of the world

Anne Frank, radiant despite the weight of knowing the hatred that was just beyond the windows. 

The Anne Frank house was humbling in a profound way. Here is a girl that at 13 encountered more adversity than I will in my lifetime.