ROTTERDAM.- To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the City Collection, this summer internationally renowned artists and designers from Rotterdam have pride of place at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. The exhibition features more than thirty artworks and dozens of design objects by Atelier Van Lieshout, Daan van Golden, Hella Jongerius, Bertjan Pot and many others.

‘The City, the Artists and the Museum’
This exhibition features a single acquisition from each year of the City Collection’s existence. Together they provide an insight into the acquisitions policy and the diversity of the collection. The 1500m2 Bodon Galleries play host to sculptures and monumental installations such as ‘Wombhouse’ by Atelier Van Lieshout (acquired 2011) and the video installation ‘EMMDM’ by Erik van Lieshout (acquired 1999). The exhibition also includes drawings, photographs and films, including the film ‘Springtime’ by Jeroen Eisinga (acquired 2012).

A glimpse into the future
The two exhibitions feature several works by internationally renowned Rotterdam-based artists who are not yet represented in the City Collection such as Lara Almarcegui, Han Hoogerbrugge, Chris Kabel and Vincent de Rijk. These works offer a future perspective: they show how the City Collection might look in years to come.

‘Design in Rotterdam’
This design exhibition illustrates the city’s outspoken character with highlights from the collection of Rotterdam-based design. The tables, chairs and lamps on display were designed for or in Rotterdam over the past 25 years. They include lamps by Henk Elenga, the ‘Random Chair’ by Bertjan Pot and furniture from ‘Collection 1989’ by Joep van Lieshout.

Together these two exhibitions celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Rotterdam City Collection.

The Rotterdam City Collection
On 1 December 1987 the first curator of the City Collection was appointed and on 1 January 1988 the collection was formalised. Since 2005 the City Collection also includes design. Rotterdam has always been a springboard for talented artists. The current City Collection curator Saskia van Kampen-Prein says about the current artistic climate in Rotterdam: ‘Despite the cuts, which have hit artists and institutions hard, Rotterdam is teeming with energy and artistic talent. This is largely due to the creative and enterprising nature of many Rotterdammers.’ The museum’s director Sjarel Ex on the importance of the City Collection: ‘The curator of the City Collection is an ambassador for the museum in the city and an ambassador for the artists in the museum. An international museum cannot exist without an anchor in its own artistic community.’