A Window Open Day and Night: The Concept

Starting July 1st, 2026, weeks before the physical gates of our sanctuary open inside the Pavilion, Queertropolis will begin to colonize the urban landscape of Amsterdam Noord.

By transforming the large East Window of Treehouse NDSM—facing the bustling outdoor grounds used for summer festivals, markets, and community gatherings—we are launching a 24/7 Digital Window Exhibition. Running continuously day and night, this installation acts as a visual beacon, broadcasting the voices, vulnerabilities, and utopian visions of global queer artists into the everyday flow of the city.

"Before stepping into the physical sanctuary, passersby, market visitors, and festival crowds will encounter a luminous portal—a global atlas burning brightly through Amsterdam's days and nights."

The Open Call & Curatorial Selection Process

When we launched the international Open Call for digital art, the global response was overwhelming. We received submissions from digital artists, animators, photographers, and video makers spanning 4 continents and over 15 nationalities.

As Curator and Creative Director, the selection process focused on works that explore:

• The concept of home and belonging across physical and political borders.

• Gender fluidity, body politics, and identity transformation.

• Queer resistance, nightlife visibility, and occupying public space.

From the playful pop optimism of Japanese artist Zun / Henteko Land (We Are Here!, 2025) to the delicate watercolor animation Homebound (2025) by Maria Komogortseva, the selection weaves a rich tapestry of human experience. The screen captures raw reflections on transgender embodiment in In Between Skin (2026) by Leo Arcelay-Christiano (USA), alongside the fierce nightlife resistance depicted in cerradynho’s photograph Ultraje (2017) from the Brazilian Midwest.

In total, 26 international artists were selected to form this global digital constellation.

The Dual-Screen Ecosystem: Connecting Outdoor & Indoor Sanctuary

The digital exhibition is designed as a continuous narrative loop that spans two distinct spaces:

1. The Outdoor East Window (24/7 Display): Facing the public square, this screen ensures that queer art remains accessible 24 hours a day, free from barriers, gallery hours, or admission fees.

2. The Indoor Pavilion Screen (Physical Exhibition): When the physical exhibition opens on July 24th, a second dedicated display screen inside the Pavilion will allow visitors to sit, pause, and engage deeply with the full digital catalog, complete with artist bios and contact channels.

This dual-screen approach creates a seamless bridge between the public urban space and the intimate, tactile interior of the physical sanctuary, proving that digital connection and physical presence can feed into one another.

Experience the Digital Horizon

Whether you are strolling through the NDSM wharf at dawn or attending a summer festival at midnight, pause by the East Window of Treehouse NDSM starting July 1st.