AMERSFOORT.- Both ladders and stairs are designed with a clear function in mind: to bridge physical heights. Their simple lines and geometric shapes contribute to their aesthetic appeal. They literally help us up and down, but figuratively as well: through growth, change, and ambition. Sometimes we climb steadily, sometimes we stumble, and sometimes we feel the urge to find a way out.

Ladders are also more than a tool or a metaphor for success; they tell the story of transformation between the earthly and the higher realms. They appear in myths and stories, such as the Biblical story of Jacob's ladder, which reflects the connection between man and the divine.

The 'social ladder' represents the way how people strive for progress, sometimes with obstacles, sometimes with opportunities. The escalation and de-escalation ladders reflect how small steps in the right or wrong direction can be decisive in relationships and conflicts. The escape ladder may indicate danger, but it also symbolises hope and a new beginning.

The exhibition is inspired by Armando's monumental work “De Ladder” (The Ladder), located at the entrance way of the access road to Amersfoort-Zuid. It is a WO II monument commemorating the former internation camp Kamp Amersfoort.

The exhibition has an annex in the Elleboogkerk, at the Langegracht 36 in Amersfoort. From 31 January 2026 to 30 August 2026, work by Stephen Dean will be on display there, featuring large-scale ladder sculptures with dichroic - two-coloured- glass. One part of the glass transmits (and projects) light onto the walls and floor. The other part reflects and gives a different colour experience.

The exhibition Stairway to..? is a small exploration of the many faces of the ladder and the staircase through the eyes of visual artists and designers.

The ladder is ultimately a symbol of escape and transformation. Sometimes a struggle, sometimes a fluid movement, but always a journey - whether to a higher consciousness, a new opportunity or a personal victory.

Where does your ladder lead?

The exhibition Stairway to..? is on display from 31 January 2026 to 10 May 2026 at Kunsthal KAdE in Amersfoort.

Participating artists: Simone Albers | Nora Aurrekoetxea | Tanya Aguiñiga | Armando | Lucienne Bestall | William Blake | Ricardo Brey | Yoann Bourgeois | Kevin van Braak | Elsemarijn Bruys | Çai Guo Qiang | Koos Buster | Stephen Dean | Elmgreen & Dragset | M.C. Escher | Albert Fiks | Frank Halmans | Hans Hemmert | Niels Hoebers | Jordanus Hoorn | Thomas Huber | Joost Hutjes | Richard Hutten | Rein Jansma | Isaac Julien | Arthur Kleinjan | Pyke Koch | Rebecca Lillich & Ahmad Mallah | Bart Lunenburg | Jorge Macchi | Adeline de Monseignat | studio MOTO | Eva Nielsen | Constant Nieuwenhuis | Erwin Olaf | Anton Pieck | André Pielage | Giovanni Battista Piranesi | Adrian Paci | Alessandra Tesi | Art van Triest | Jaap Veenendaal | Helen Verhoeven | Jan die Wael | Jan Hendrik Weissenbruch | Balder Westein | Johan de Wit | Michael Wolf | John Wood & Paul Harrison

Commissions for new work: Simone Albers, Elsemarijn Bruys, Joost Hutjes, Richard Hutten, Art van Triest.

Under the guidance of Richard Hutten, Nimeto students drew inspiration from the exhibition and will present their final results in the exhibition.