On 1 November 1992 the Kunsthal Rotterdam officially opened its doors. Exactly 20 years later, the Kunsthal opens its 500th exhibition ‘Hurray! 20 years KunstHAL!' Movies, sound clips, letters, photographs and other archival material give an impression of the multifaceted nature of the Kunsthal from 1992 to now.
Memorable blockbusters and other controversial exhibitions are reviewed. It becomes clear why the Kunsthal has been referred to as 'magic box 'and ‘exhibition machine' over the last two decades. Extensive attention is given to the design and construction of the Kunsthal with commentary by architect Rem Koolhaas. Floor maps of dozens of exhibitions, made by famous architects such as Wim Crouwel and Herman Postma, are included in the exhibition. Infographics make clear how much manpower, working hours and liters of paint have been used for the 499 previous exhibitions.
Memories
Special ‘booths' have been designed by students of the Willem de Kooning Academy and include letters of praisal and complaint, radio jingles and news clips. One of the booths is dedicated to royal guests who have visited the Kunsthal. Furthermore, the Kunsthal is curious how its visitors have experienced the Kunsthal over the last twenty years and encourages them to share their personal reaction.
500 exhibitions in 20 years
Cultural weekend Kunsthal XX years
From Friday 2 November to Sunday 4 November the Kunsthal treats her audience with a program of music, poetry, dance, theater, film and circus, created by Rotterdam partners such as RO Theater, Codarts Rotterdam, Conny Janssen Dances, Lemniscate, Tango School Cuartito Azul and OT Theatre. Performances and workshops are held in and between the exhibitions ‘Maillol' and ‘Avant-Gardes. The collection of the Triton Foundation'.
Program
The SKVR gives workshops sculpture in wax. Internationally renowned B-Boys dance the spectacular hiphop show 'Father Father' on Saturday. Poets of Speyk Sessions read out poetry among the masterpieces of the Triton Collection on the same day. The band Forecast Jah Reign, discovered by Theatre Zuidplein, plays exciting international beats. On Sunday, children can learn to illustrate with award-winning illustrator Charlotte Dematons, watch a Russian fairytale by Hofplein Rotterdamor and listen to ‘Peer Gynt' by renowned storyteller Frank Groothof. On Friday night, the auditorium will be converted into a cinema in which the IFFR presents an exciting preview. Saturday will bring back memories from phenomenal Museum Nights with performances by Wende, Charlie Dee and Eric Vloeimans & Gatecrash.
