ROTTERDAM, 27 March 2025 – Art Rotterdam 2025 has commenced at its new venue, Rotterdam Ahoy, providing a spacious setting for contemporary art enthusiasts to explore a diverse range of artworks and engage with artists and their representatives.
Weekend tip: ART Rotterdam 2025
This year's edition of Art Rotterdam is underway at Rotterdam Ahoy, marking a significant shift to a larger venue that accommodates an expansive array of contemporary art. The spacious halls allow artworks to be displayed with ample room, enhancing the viewing experience. Visitors can easily spend hours immersing themselves in the diverse exhibits and engaging in conversations with artists, many of whom are present to discuss their work.
Weekend tip: visit Art Rotterdam 2025
RotterdamStyle.com's picks:
Take these picks with a couple of grains of salt. Even though I spent two hours looking at the various works of art, it still felt like I was rushing. But these stood out to me:
Intricate photography by Aristotle Roufanis
At the Contour Gallery booth, the photographic series Worlds Apart by Aristotle Roufanis commands attention. Roufanis, who is present at the fair, elaborates on his meticulous process of layering numerous photographs to create gigapixel-sized images. These complex files, he notes, can take up to two hours to open in Photoshop, reflecting the depth and detail embedded in each piece.
The space is shared with 'Towers' by Lana Mesic, featuring imagery of strong towers that are in fact not so strong at all once you look closely and see what they are made of. All-in-all, I highly recommend visiting this booth.
A hypnotic audiovisual experience by Berkay Tuncay
In the New Art Section, Istanbul-based gallery SANATORIUM presents Berkay Tuncay's five-channel video installation, The Story of Writing ASMR. This work focuses on the continuous movement of hands typing on a keyboard, accompanied by soothing sounds, offering viewers a hypnotic experience. The texts being typed are excerpts from Bertha Parker's 1932 book The Story of Writing, restructured by Tuncay into sections that parallel the evolution of writing systems.
Thought-provoking works at KANT
The KANT booth features intriguing pieces by Hans van der Ham that invite contemplation. His works, which may depict ambiguous forms such as an indeterminate animal or an inverted dog, challenge viewers to question their perceptions and interpretations. I wasn't sure what to make of it all, but it definitely made me think.
Blending past and present with Annegret Kellner's Deep Doodle series
My personal favourite. Galerie Helder (booth B03) showcases Annegret Kellner's Deep Doodle series, which seamlessly integrates historical and contemporary elements. Kellner overlays modern motifs, like colour palettes, onto imagery reminiscent of Renaissance paintings, creating a dialogue between past and present. Her work often explores the interplay between culture and nature, highlighting the impact of human intervention on the natural world.
A comprehensive art experience
Art Rotterdam 2025 not only offers a visual feast, but also caters to visitors' comfort with a food court featuring snack trucks and a restaurant serving a variety of appetizers and entrees. The fair provides an environment where art lovers can leisurely explore, engage with artists, and, if inclined, purchase artworks directly from the creators or their representatives.
Weekend tip: visit Art Rotterdam 2025
For more general information about Art Rotterdam, please refer to our main article.
How to get there
Rotterdam Ahoy is located in the south of the city and is easily accessible by public transport, bicycle, or car. The venue is a short walk from Zuidplein metro and bus station, providing convenient connections to various parts of Rotterdam.