The exhibition ‘Forever Rotterdam’ shows images of post-war life in the Port of Rotterdam, shot by the photographer Daniël van de Ven (Rotterdam, 1929). As a photojournalist, Van de Ven captured many important moments during the years between 1947 and 1971, often commissioned by the Holland America Line. From the war brides travelling to Canada to join their lovers after the liberation in 1945, to the construction of the s.s. Rotterdam (1956-1959). Also shown are photographs of departing migrants, who were in search of a better life on the other side of the world, as well as the arrival and departure of many visitors to Rotterdam. Through Van de Ven’s lens, the twentieth-century Port of Rotterdam comes to life.
This fall the Kunsthal Rotterdam proudly presents the first retrospective on French creator Thierry Mugler. This major exhibition will reveal the multiple universes of this undeniably artistic figure – visionary couturier, director, photographer and perfumer – in a retrospective of his work, especially his ready-to-wear and haute couture creations. Initiated, produced and circulated by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with the Clarins Group and the Maison Mugler, the exhibition’s world premiere will launch in Montreal in March 2019. As collaboration partner, the Kunsthal Rotterdam will be the second stop and the first venue in Europe to show this spectacular retrospective.
This year, Joost Swarte will be celebrating his fiftieth anniversary as an illustrator, designer and architect with an exhibition at the Kunsthal Rotterdam. The exhibition ‘Joost Swarte everywhere’ pays homage to fifty years of drawing by presenting a cross section of Swarte’s body of work – from his first cartoons, original drawings, sketches, designs and objects to his most recent work. Swarte’s search for the most surprising and iconic illustrations is also shown on the basis of sketches that have never been exhibited before.