It’s summertime! What’s better than going camping once the weather is nice? Not a whole lot, probably. But, in general camping equals nature, and with that it always comes with its notorious struggles like a flooded tent, bugs in your shoes, or sleeping on a deflated air mattress. Traditional camping therefore may not be the best option for all of us. There’s now an alternative for those who prefer a little more luxury, or that are simply interested in a rather cool combination of camping and art.

On Centrumeiland, at the very tip of Amsterdam’s IJburg which is currently being developed, you will find UrbanCampsite Amsterdam. For three months, this area will offer a rather bizarre collection of artistic installations. UrbanCampsite is a travelling campsite that brings together camping and art, by exhibiting twelve rather unorthodox installations that serve as the artistic equivalent of tents.

The UrbanCampsite exhibition normally takes place in vacant and relatively isolated areas, and a central theme of this project is changing peoples perceptions towards a particular place. UrbanCampsite is a meeting place for residents, visitors, tourists, and artists. Workshops and performances are challenging all kinds of people to be creative and contribute to the UrbanCampsite.

Trampotent

Val Ross

Goahti

Tribal Toilet Tower

But, the best thing about UrbanCampsite? Well, you can actually sleep in these eyebrow-raising, rather bizarre installations! For example, image that you would spend the night in Trampotent: an ordinary tent, except for the fact that it has a trampoline on top. That’s cool, right? Or, how about Val Ross? This thing looks like some sort of capsule that has crashed from space! What is probably closest to a regular tent is Goahti: a traditional Scandinavian tipi, but then in a bright-red color and made from plastic and Styrofoam. But, what is even cooler at UrbanCampsite is its ‘Tribal Toilet Tower’. An industrial-looking installation made out of three silos that provide guests with showers and toilets. Can you see yourself already walking there with a roll of toilet paper under your arm?

UrbanCampsite is a surprising outdoor exhibition that is freely accessible. If you want to spend the night in one of these crazy cool installations, you can easily book them through Airbnb. UrbanCampsite will be at Centrumeiland until August 31^st, so if you are planning to book, don’t wait too long. Happy camping!