three new works of art and exhibition in de Doelen
Expansion of art collection by Anuli Croon, Sandim Mendes and Christine Rusche
De Doelen is expanding its art collection with three new works: two murals and a textile and embroidery by Anuli Croon, Christine Rusche and Sandim Mendes. This is being celebrated with a special exhibition in Studio 2 de Doelen Art, where additional work by the artists can be seen in collaboration with CBK Rotterdam.
The three new works of art enrich the existing art collection of the concert hall, which previously mainly consisted of reconstruction art from the sixties and seventies by male artists. The collection has been expanded with contemporary works by three talented artists with a Rotterdam heart, who also contribute to a better representation of female artists in the collection.
Rotterdam in colour: Tronie & Stad
Anuli Croon (1964) created a huge mural in the Willem Burger Foyer. The colorful painting captures the dynamics of the city: the colors, imagery and representations are unmistakably Rotterdam, just as de Doelen is unmistakably Rotterdam.
"There is a lot to discover in my painting," says Croon. “I hope that the work functions as a present, but not emphatic landmark in space. Let it be a conversation piece for the users of the Foyer."
Cape Verdeë and Rotterdam together in Ami nsta li, nkre sta djuntu ku nhos
The Cape Verdean-Rotterdam artist Sandim Mendes (1986) brings in her textile and embroidery, the Eduard Flipse Foyer, the Cape Verdean Batuku culture to life. She hopes that visitors and musicians will get to know this dance and song tradition and wants to create a connection between her Cape Verdean ancestors and the symbols of South Rotterdam, her home base.
"In January 2021, de Doelen gave a stage to the Batuku dance," says Mendes. "I liked that. My work ties in with this. I want to create recognition and connection. I also hope that visitors and musicians in de Doelen will be introduced to a culture that may still be new to them.”
dynamic interplay of lines in REVERBERATIONS
Christine Rusche (1971) created a monumental mural in the foyer above the entrance to the Grote Zaal. Her play of lines in black and white is based on a study of the architecture, space and acoustics of the Grote Zaal.
"I wanted to create a work in de Doelen that would both integrate and complement the architecture of the space," says Rusche. "This dynamic motif visually transforms the space. This makes new associations possible and new experiences of the space can be obtained. This also creates an exciting dialogue with the other works of art in the foyer; a dialogue between the early days of de Doelen and today."
Art Walks
The artworks can be seen during the monthly Art Walks, every last Thursday of the month. The next edition is on Thursday 28 November 2024. Accompanied by a guide, you will walk past the special collection of de Doelen and hear the stories behind the artworks, with a route through the iconic building, in front of and behind the scenes. Check dedoelen.nl for more information.
free exhibition in Studio 2
De Doelen and CBK Rotterdam are organizing the free exhibition CROON-MENDES-RUSCHE in Studio 2, where visitors can delve even deeper into the artistic world of the three artists, with works of art that are also for sale. On view until November 24, 2024.
Thursday to Saturday | 14:00-20:00
Sunday | 14:00-18:00
collective support
The three artworks were made possible thanks to the support of various funds, companies and individuals. Sandim Mendes received support from the Mondriaan Fund, CBK Rotterdam and de Doelen Support Fund; Anuli Croon from the Mondriaan Fund, BPD Culture Fund and de Doelen Support Fund; and Christine Rusche from BPD Culture Fund, the Elise Mathilde Fund, the ZABAWAS foundation, Convexarchitecten, de Doelen Support Fund, STORCH Malerwerkzeuge & Profigeräte, Bierens Verf and Murals Inc. This collaboration emphasises how collective support is essential for art and culture.