In the framework of Rotterdam Art Week (8-12 February), the historic event Art Rotterdam is not to be missed, as an occasion where art lovers can enjoy the works of established and emerging talents from all over the world. Over 100 galleries are taking part in this 24th edition, held from 9 to 12 February at the Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam (UNESCO listed) in an area of 10,000 square meters.
Thanks to the “New Art Section” emerging talents are placed on the front line, right next to the entrance. With 16 innovative displays, this section has a fundamental role to play in the event. As explained by Fons Hof, director of Art Rotterdam: “With the central placement of the New Art Section, we emphasise Art Rotterdam’s basic principles: discovering new art and encouraging young talent. For many artists, Art Rotterdam means the start of their careers.”
Another new development this year is the Sculpture Park, presenting large works in connection with nature or the urban environment, inside the historic Tabakshal (the tobacco factory, one of the historic industrial zones of the Van Nelle Fabriek), with an architectural setting by the studio Tom Postma Design. Part of the space will be set aside for artists that are alumni of an art academy in Rotterdam or live in the city, underscoring the close relationship between the event and the context. Artists included in the group show: Atelier van Lieshout, Caroline Coolen, Delphine Courtillot, Niels van Bunningen, Leendert van Accoleyen, Esther Kokmeijer, Norman Dilworth, Krijn de Koning, Hadrien Gerenton, Indrikis Gelzis, Lara Almarcegui and Jan Eric Visser.
The itinerary continues en plein air, in the external park of Van Nelle Fabriek, with a series of outdoor works created by Laura Malpique (Prospects), Lisa Tiemann (Schwartz Contemporary), Unflatables (MPV Gallery), Pim Palsgraaf (NL=US Gallery), Tom Putman (Heesjteck#), Ruud Kuijer (Slewe Gallery), Eelke van Willigen (Galerie FranzisEngels), Marinke van Zandwijk (Galerie Franzis Engels), Sarah Maple (Koch x Bos), Chantal van Lieshout (Prospects), De Aanschouw, Dré Wapenaar (NL=US Gallery), Regula Maria Müller (Phoebus), Luuk Smits (Trendbeheer), Miyuki Inoue (Prospects) and Jan Smejkal (Phoebus).
Art Rotterdam is accompanied again this year by the NN Art Award, assigned by NN Group (including Nationale Nederlanden and part of the event for seven years now) to an artist who graduated from a Dutch art academy. Of the 34 works in the list, those selected as finalists are by Kévin Bray (Upstream Gallery), Monali Meher (Lumen Travo), Laura Jatkowski (Prospects) and Salim Bayri (Prospects). The winner will be announced on Wednesday 8 February.
Also not to be missed, from 10-12 February at the HAKA-building, is Object Rotterdam, an event dedicated to collector’s and research design, with more than one hundred exhibitors and many young talents.
