Great news! After three years, the WTC Art Gallery in WTC Rotterdam is ready to open its doors to the public again. The reopening not only marks a new chapter in the gallery's history, but also provides a boost to the Rotterdam art world.
On Sunday, October 1 at 3:00 PM, Martin Bijl and Astrid de Pauw will open the first exhibition of the reopening. This exhibition shows the work of Yumiko Yoneda, Lizan Freijsen and Tim Mastik.
Why has the WTC Art Gallery been closed for three years? Since 2016, World Trade Center Rotterdam has been undergoing a large-scale revitalization. This iconic building not only underwent cosmetic improvements, but was also made significantly more sustainable. The gallery was also thoroughly renovated, making the original structure of the monumental building visible again. This allows architect Staal's design to come into its own again and gives the gallery the allure of a museum.
The gallery and the space around it have been reopened after two years of work, meaning that art is now being displayed on the walls again. The gallery has three enormous walls at its disposal, which form the outer walls of the Rotterdam Hall. This gives art a prominent place in the monumental building.
The reopening also means a new phase for gallery manager Martin Bijl, because he will eventually hand over the baton to visual artist and exhibition maker Astrid de Pauw. Martin has been an established name in art for many years and is a passionate ambassador for Rotterdam art. The next two years will be a transitional phase, during which Martin and Astrid will jointly organize exhibitions for the gallery.
Although Martin has long since reached retirement age, his passion for art has driven him to remain involved with the Art Gallery for as long as possible. “The Art Gallery is a beautiful place, it is buzzing with creativity. Here people come together and share their love for art. It gives me energy to inspire people in this way. Astrid de Pauw ensures that this unique exhibition location is preserved, with an eye for a new generation of contemporary artists."
Martin and Astrid curated this exhibition together and are pleased with the works of the three chosen artists. Martin says: “The installation with the tranquil work of Yumiko Yoneda is like a universe, a heaven that shows the grandeur and at the same time the modesty of art. Astrid continues: 'Lizan Freijsen's work reflects an earthly variant of this universe, you almost want to touch it. Tim Mastik bridges the gap between these two universes with extremely precise and careful work on the flat surface. He shows the beauty of repetition, rhythm, colour and form. Minimalism is central to this exhibition.”
As part of the official opening, singer Cora Schmeiser will take visitors to the exhibition through her impressions of the works on display at 3:30 PM. The exhibition and opening are free of charge.
From now on, Martin and Astrid curate five exhibitions a year with an important role for Rotterdam artists.
Will you be there on Sunday October 1 at the first exhibition?