Why are these men peeing in public? They’re not breaking the law. These are Les Pisseurs d’Amsterdam six larger-than-life statues under a bridge. They are a controversial artwork. They’ve been causing a stir since 2010.
Les Pisseurs d’Amsterdam are the creation of Pascale Marthine Tayou. He’s a Cameroonian-Belgian artist. The statues are self-portraits. They’re painted in vibrant colours. These colours represent the flags of Cameroon Belgium and the Netherlands. Each statue is identical but uniquely coloured. Yellow red blue white and black stand out.
The statues are placed as if they want to make a statement. They seem to say ‘Look at me. Peeling in public is forbidden but I’m doing it anyway’. The work was created for ‘De Straat van Sculpturen’. This was a project to display international art in Amsterdam’s Bijlmer district. Tayou was nominated for an award for his work. The project aimed to bring renowned international art into public spaces. The artwork is an obvious homage to Manneken Pis in Brussels. Yet Tayou cleverly turned a banal subject into a colourful and thought-provoking piece. Les Pisseurs d’Amsterdam invite us to reflect on public space rules. They’re a cheeky and colourful addition to Amsterdam’s urban landscape. They stand permanently under the Groesbeekdreef viaduct. They are made of painted cement. They’re life-size and unforgettable. They are a must-see. They are a fascinating example of public art.