de Doelen Art, a new sanctuary for visual arts in the middle of the city

The thrill of de Doelen starts on the street side!

The new Doelen studios run from the corner of Kruisplein-Schouwburgplein to Karel Doormanstraat-Kruisstraat and have become a reality thanks in part to the support and commitment of the Municipality of Rotterdam. After the launch of the renovated Doelen Studio in studio 1, Studio 2 will open its doors on 30 May.

CBK Rotterdam

Studio 2, which will bear the name de Doelen Art, is a collaboration between de Doelen and CBK Rotterdam. 

Edited by Ove Lucas (director CBK Rotterdam), writer/philosopher Siebe Thissen, and from de Doelen Janneke Staarink and Vincent Sturkenboom, an art gallery will be realised, among other things.

Director Janneke Staarink: ”De Doelen is an important place for lovers of reconstruction art with its international art collection. In the early years, the Rotterdam Art Foundation had an office on the ground floor of the building and between the years ’66 and ’82 it also had a gallery. How wonderful that we, in collaboration with CBK, are once again able to space that will be entirely dedicated to the exhibition and sale of visual art. And so we can pick up the thread again with new energy.”

Hommage

The first exhibition of de Doelen Art is a tribute to those early days, to the very first show that took place in the summer of 1966 in the Exhibition Hall de Doelen. Participating artists were, typical for that time, 17 young men including Rotterdam artists Woody van Amen, Mathieu Ficheroux, Kees Franse and Daan van Golden and only one woman, namely the painter Trees Suringh. 

“It is clear that more female artists will exhibit at the upcoming contemporary homage”, says Staarink.

For this, the artist Niek Verschoor has asked 18 young artists, who including work in the art community on the Coolhaveneiland het IJzerblok, to open a window to the future in addition to looking back.

Curators

Furthermore, in collaboration with various parties in the city, rapidly changing exhibitions are planned. With works by new Rotterdam talents, Willem de Kooning graduates and more established artists. 

Artist Herman Lamers, known to Rotterdam residents for his sculptures ‘The Giant of Rotterdam’, ‘Zebra in the nests’ and his presentations in Het Archief, will be working as one of the curators to organize group presentations, interventions and performances.

In addition, Doelen Art will become a sanctuary for major festivals such as IFFR and Poetry International.

Director CBK Rotterdam Ove Lucas: “This initiative supports CBK Rotterdam. A lively and historical place in the middle of the city, that is exactly what artists and art lovers need.”

Opening hours

June
Thursday to Saturday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM 
Sundays from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

July 
Thursday to Saturday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM

The exhibition can be seen until Saturday 13 July.