New Dutch: Creative art movement - Oct. 16, 2024
The Netherlands has been a centre of artistic innovation and creativity for centuries. While the country is often known for its 17th Century masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals, a new art movement has established itself in recent decades, known as New Dutch Art. This movement encompasses a wide range of art forms such as painting, sculpture, and digital art. Artists such as Daan Roosegaarde and Studio Drift use light, movement and interactive elements to bring their works to life.
A central feature of New Dutch art is precisely its versatility. Because it encompasses not only traditional media, but also photography, digital art, textile art and installations, it reflects the multicultural and dynamic nature of modern Dutch society. The country's museums and art centers offer a rich variety of contemporary artworks. And they offer artists and visitors alike the opportunity to explore the modern world through the lens of art. New Dutch successfully continues the rich tradition of creativity and cultural expression.
An outstanding example of this is the Kunsthal Rotterdam. The museum is known for its innovative exhibitions, which often combine different art movements and disciplines. It offers a platform for emerging artists as well as established names. The interdisciplinary exhibitions attract a diverse audience and promote the examination of different forms of cultural expression. With about 25 exhibitions per year, the Kunsthal offers a very extensive programme. The iconic building was designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas.
Look behind the scenes
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam is another important centre for contemporary art. The museum's collection, which is closed until 2029 for renovation work, ranges from old masters to modern art. It is known for its extensive collection of surrealist works and regularly hosts exhibitions that push the boundaries of traditional art forms. The Boijmans Van Beuningen depot, which houses the museum's art and is also open to the public – the first of its kind in the world – is spectacular.
The public has the opportunity to look behind the scenes and experience the museum's extensive collection up close. The spectacular, mirrored building, designed by Dutch architects MVRDV, houses over 150,000 works of art, from paintings and sculptures to design objects and drawings. Instead of just seeing finished exhibitions, art lovers can observe the restoration process, explore the storage rooms and discover the works of art in a whole context. The depot offers a fascinating mix of architecture, art and technology.
Modern and contemporary art
In Eindhoven, in the province of North Brabant, the Van Abbemuseum is a highlight of modern and contemporary art. It is known for its experimental exhibitions and its efforts to use art as a means of social and political reflection. The collection with works by Picasso, Kandinsky and Mondrian invites you to experience art from new perspectives. In addition, there is the innovative architecture of the building, which creates an atmosphere that encourages reflection and discussion.
In Tilburg, the De Pont Museum and the Textielmuseum are both known for their unique exhibitions. The De Pont Museum, once a wool mill, now showcases contemporary art in a industrial space. It is known for its carefully curated exhibitions that provide space for interaction. The Textielmuseum combines art, design and industrial history. It shows not only historical textiles, but also contemporary works by designers who use fabric as a medium.
Since the 1980s, Design Museum Den Bosch has been presenting exceptional and successful exhibitions that showcase the best of design. Designers such as Bart Hess, Wieki Somers, Maarten Baas and Scholten & Baijings as well as international artists as Ettore Sottsass have presented their work here. The museum sheds light on the influence of design on our daily lives and tells the story behind the designs. In addition, the cultural significance and role of design in the past, present and future are explored.