Sunday, May 12, 2013



Amsterdam isn't the only city in the Netherlands with coffeeshops. This painting represents the Midnight Express coffeeshop, when it occupied a sun lit corner in the Dutch city of Den Haag (the Hague). Even during its operation it had a nostalgic look. The weathered exterior and faded coloration made suitable companions for the already old, red colored "Heineken bier" sign above the entrance.

 The name "Midnight Express" is burned into the consciousness of anyone who remembers the eponymous 1978 movie. The film essentially highlighted the perils of hashish smuggling. The notoriety achieved by this movie did more to prevent thoughts of drug smuggling than any government campaign could ever hope to. Still, if there was any question about the activities within this coffeeshop, the owner's choice of the name "Midnight Express" seemed to be saying "leave the smuggling to us!".  Inside the establishment the hash menu was typical of many local coffeeshops – limited but consistent.

In a scene from its heyday, a bicycle leans on a pole waiting for its owner, presumably inside, while near horizontal sunlight creates late afternoon shadows across the blanched pavement. A lone figure walks past the coffeeshop momentarily glancing at the colorful shop window. And just as the the yellow train logo implies – the Midnight Express stops here to board passengers, but that was a long time ago.


(oil on canvas 40cm x 80cm)

1 comment:

Tom said...

Hey Andy--love your work, and love following your blog--you should add a facebook button on your page so people can like it and get the word out--cousin Tommy