This coming autumn, Kunsthal Rotterdam’s HALL 2 will be entirely dedicated to the work of the world-famous Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen (1984). Van Herpen is one of the most avantgarde couturiers of her generation. With her pioneering use of innovative techniques in her profession, Van Herpen breaks with fashion conventions while at the same time embracing the traditional craftsmanship of haute couture. The exhibition Sculpting the Senses is a sensory exploration of the designer’s universe and presents an immersive retrospective that brings together fashion, contemporary art, design, and science. The Kunsthal is showcasing over a hundred iconic creations that illustrate how Van Herpen is constantly stretching the boundaries of haute couture.
Sculpting the Senses celebrates Van Herpen’s multidisciplinary approach and offers a spectacular overview of her wide-ranging body of work. Her creations are highlighted through nine themes, a 21st-century cabinet of curiosities, and a replica of her Amsterdam atelier. The dazzling exhibition design guides visitors through immersive spaces, accompanied by a multisensory soundscape by Salvador Breed. From the tiniest to the biggest scale, the exhibition raises questions about the position of the body in the space, the relationship between clothes and the environment, and the future of the body in our rapidly changing world. In the exhibition, Van Herpen’s haute-couture pieces enter into a dialogue with contemporary artworks by, among others, Collectif Mé, Philip Beesley, Wim Delvoye, Kate MccGwire, Damien Jalet, Kohei Nawa, Casey Curran, Rogan Brown, Jacques Rougerie, and Tomáš Libertíny and with design objects by Neri Oxman, Ren Ri and Ferruccio Laviani.
Iris van Herpen
Iris van Herpen (1984) grew up in the Dutch village of Wamel. She first discovered her passion for fashion in her grandmother’s attic, where she stumbled upon a mini museum of garments and costumes that opened her gaze towards a different era. After graduating from the ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem, she worked for Alexander McQueen in London, and Claudy Jongstra in Amsterdam. In 2007, she established her own label and presented her first collection during Amsterdam Fashion Week. In 2011, at the age of 27, Van Herpen joined the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris. Her creations are included in a variety of collections, including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Publication
The exhibition Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses will be accompanied by an English-language catalogue of the same name. This book will be available at the Kunsthal Shop and Kunsthal Webshop from 27 September.
Collaboration
The exhibition Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses is organised by Kunsthal Rotterdam in close collaboration with Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, and Maison Iris van Herpen, based on the original exhibition, designed by Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.
Tickets
Tickets for the exhibition Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses will be available from the end of June.
Press
collaboration partner
Exhibition partners
Stichting Droom en Daad
The Droom en Daad Foundation is committed to making Rotterdam stronger and more beautiful through arts and culture.
Nationale-Nederlanden
As a supporter of all art explorers, Nationale-Nederlanden (part of NN Group) works together with its partners to inspire a wider audience for art and culture, thereby contributing to everyone’s mental well-being. Nationale-Nederlanden also provides a platform for artists to inspire others. The company has a long history in cultural sponsorship, with a focus on visual arts, museums, and music.
Top Employers Institute
www.top-employers.com
Blockbusterfonds
www.blockbusterfonds.nl
MediaCenter Rotterdam
www.mediacenterrotterdam.nl