HAPPENING 21 Dec 2024–23 Mar 2025 | An exploration of Palestinian life and resilience through photography will be unveiled at Kunsthal Rotterdam this week. Adam Rouhana’s work offers a multifaceted view of everyday existence in historic Palestine, showcasing both joy and hardship.

Kunsthal Rotterdam to feature Adam Rouhana’s work

From 21 December 2024 to 23 March 2025, Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Before Freedom, an exhibition by Palestinian-American photographer Adam Rouhana. The exhibition portrays everyday life in Palestine, aiming to challenge stereotypical media representations and provide a deeper understanding of the region’s culture and resilience.

Rouhana, born in Boston in 1991, spent his childhood making regular trips to Palestine. His experience of the region contrasted with how it is often depicted in Western media, which he described as a dissonance. This inspired him to document life beyond the dominant narratives. “In the news media, Palestinians were often portrayed as masked and violent or as disposable and lifeless,” Rouhana stated.

Everyday moments amid complexity

Over the past three years, Rouhana has photographed daily life in cities such as Jerusalem, Haifa, Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem. His work juxtaposes the joys of community life—children playing, families gathering—with the visible presence of occupation, seen in soldiers and checkpoints. His photography, characterised by natural lighting and soft colour palettes, seeks to portray Palestinians as individuals rooted in their culture, resilience, and humanity. Recurring elements in his images, like olive trees and poppies, evoke the region's heritage and its ongoing struggles.

About Adam Rouhana

Adam Rouhana is a Palestinian-American artist who divides his time between Jerusalem and London. His work critiques Orientalist views and introduces new narratives about Palestinian life. Drawing on personal memories, such as those of his grandmother's orchard, he creates visual representations that explore themes of identity, history, and self-determination.

Directions to Kunsthal Rotterdam

Located in the Museumpark, Kunsthal Rotterdam has been a prominent cultural institution since its founding in 1992. Known for its diverse and dynamic programme, the Kunsthal offers visitors access to a wide range of exhibitions, from contemporary art to photography, fashion, and design. The Kunsthal is easily accessible via public transport or by car. The surrounding area features green spaces and several other notable museums, making it an ideal destination for art enthusiasts.

HAPPENING 21 Dec 2024–8 Jun 2025 | A new installation by Boris Acket will transform the Kunsthal Rotterdam’s architecture into a dynamic interplay of light, air, and textiles. Visitors will experience this unique artwork both inside and outside the iconic building.

Boris Acket brings ‘Spaces Between Lines’ to Kunsthal Rotterdam

From 21 December 2024 to 8 June 2025, Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Spaces Between Lines, a site-specific installation by audiovisual artist and composer Boris Acket. The work, part of the Kunsthal’s “Inside/Out” programme, is designed to engage visitors with the unique architecture of the building, originally conceived by architect Rem Koolhaas.

Acket’s installation explores the nuances of the Kunsthal’s design, focusing on the interplay between its interior and exterior spaces. Inspired by the architectural dialogue describing the structure as “black and white, no grey,” the project highlights the often-overlooked spaces between the building’s sharp lines. Using textiles, light, and air, the work creates a dynamic interaction that blurs the boundaries between the interior and the surrounding Museumpark.

The art installation

The installation occupies two prominent spaces within the Kunsthal. In Hall 6, a 28-metre-long canvas is animated by an engineered rail system that creates swirling air currents, bringing life to the fabric and generating patterns of movement and light. The engineering, developed by Merijn Versnel in collaboration with Studio Boris Acket, creates a spectacle of motion designed to engage and mesmerise viewers.

On the exterior ramp, a second textile canvas interacts with the natural wind, establishing a dialogue with the indoor counterpart. Together, these elements create a visual and tactile connection between the inside and outside of the building. The fluctuating light and shadows, especially during the transition from day to night, enhance the sensory experience for visitors and passers-by alike.

Kunsthal’s Inside/Out programme

The “Inside/Out” initiative aims to highlight the architectural features of the Kunsthal while presenting art that seamlessly bridges the interior and exterior spaces. This programme offers designers a platform to create works specific to the Kunsthal’s iconic elements, such as the ramp and Hall 6. Both Kunsthal visitors and those in the Museumpark are invited to experience the installation during its run.

About Boris Acket

Boris Acket, an artist known for integrating sound, light, and movement, draws heavily from his background in electronic music and club culture. His works often explore themes of control and surrender, as seen in the current installation. Acket has exhibited internationally, including at events such as Milan Salone del Mobile and the Amsterdam Dance Event, and his latest projects delve into reimagining natural and philosophical concepts within the realm of art.

Practical information

Location and directions

The Kunsthal Rotterdam is located in the Museumpark, a central cultural hub of the city. The installation spans Hall 6 and the adjacent ramp, which connects Westzeedijk to Museumpark. Visitors can easily access the site by public transport or on foot. For detailed directions, consult the map below:

HAPPENING 14–16 February 2024 | The OBJECT Rotterdam design fair returns in February, offering attendees the chance to explore fresh talent and innovative designs from around the world. The fair promises an immersive design experience in the city centre.

OBJECT Rotterdam 2025: showcasing global and local design talent

OBJECT Rotterdam is set to feature an extensive array of contemporary design from 14 to 16 February 2025, bringing together designers and enthusiasts to celebrate innovation in the heart of the city. Known for its dynamic character, OBJECT provides a platform for over 100 designers to present their latest work in a wide range of disciplines, from furniture and lighting to ceramics and textiles.

This year, OBJECT will highlight a variety of creative perspectives, connecting visitors with designers from Rotterdam, other parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Attendees will be able to view, experience, and purchase designs directly from the makers, bridging the gap between creators and the public. With an eclectic mix of styles and influences, OBJECT offers a unique look into global design trends alongside local craftsmanship.

OBJECT Rotterdam | Atelier Yvette Visser

Interactive events and opportunities

Beyond the main exhibitions, OBJECT will host a series of events to deepen the visitor experience. A supplementary programme featuring talks, interviews, and special presentations at nearby design hubs will run throughout the weekend, offering insights into the design world. These activities aim to foster dialogue and exchange between designers and attendees, allowing visitors to explore design concepts, trends, and creative processes.

Relocation to AIR in Rotterdam's city centre

This year’s fair will take place in AIR, the former V&D building in Rotterdam’s shopping district near the Koopgoot. Originally built in 1947 and redesigned recently by WOMO Architects, AIR now offers nearly 10,000 square metres of exhibition space across several floors, providing an open and light-filled setting for the fair.

Having previously been held at the HAKA building, OBJECT’s move to AIR brings it closer to the city centre’s vibrant atmosphere. “The city centre’s energy aligns well with OBJECT's mission to connect diverse audiences with cutting-edge design,” says director Anne van der Zwaag. With landmarks like the Markthal and World Trade Centre nearby, this location ensures accessibility for visitors arriving by foot from Rotterdam Central Station.

Rotterdam's OBJECT design fair moves to new city centre venue: AIR

Visiting the AIR location

Located at Hoogstraat 1017, AIR’s central positioning in Rotterdam's bustling shopping district makes it easily accessible. The venue is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and iconic structures such as De Grote Kerk, offering a convenient and engaging experience for attendees.

Until spring 2025 | A historic dollhouse from the Museum Rotterdam collection takes centre stage in a temporary exhibition, offering visitors a chance to view the object in a modern context. The display reflects on the city’s history while exploring the potential of a future city museum.

Museum Rotterdam showcases historic dollhouse in modern display

Museum Rotterdam has unveiled a temporary exhibition featuring its historic dollhouse, crafted between 1954 and 1957, as the first object in a series of rotating displays at its Coolhaven location. The presentation is part of an exploratory initiative to reimagine the role of the museum as a future city museum.

The dollhouse, commissioned by former museum director Petra Beydals, replicates an 18th-century mansion on the Leuvehaven, where brothers Jan and Pieter Bisschop displayed their collections. Generations of Rotterdam residents have associated Museum Rotterdam with this iconic piece, which has become a visitor favourite.

The current exhibition reimagines the dollhouse within a transparent, contemporary display, inviting audiences to explore its intricate details and the stories behind its design. Questions are posed about the brothers’ wealth, their household staff, and modern perspectives on the lives of the wealthy elite during that era.

Historic Bisschop dollhouse on display in Rotterdam

Interactive experiences and new additions

In addition to the reinterpreted display, the dollhouse features unexpected contemporary elements, such as a miniature version of a 2021 artwork by Kamiel Verschuren, which critiques societal privilege. These additions aim to bridge historical themes with present-day issues.

Activities for children include crafting a mini dollhouse and using a guided exploration to uncover the stories behind the display. The programme encourages young visitors to reflect on themes such as wealth, colonial history, and housing culture in relation to their own lives.

A step towards a new city museum

According to Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, director of Museum Rotterdam, the reintroduction of the dollhouse marks an important step in the museum’s journey: “When I began my role, it quickly became clear that the Bisschop dollhouse held a special place in people’s hearts. Presenting it in this new way is a meaningful start to my time here.”

This temporary presentation is the first in a series. By spring 2025, the dollhouse will make way for another key piece from the museum’s extensive collection, which encompasses over 110,000 objects related to the city’s past, present, and future. The initiative allows the museum to experiment with new ways of engaging with the community and Rotterdam’s heritage.

Visiting the exhibition

The dollhouse exhibition is located at Museum Rotterdam '40-'45 NU, Coolhaven 375, and is free to visit until spring 2025. Other museum exhibits are available at regular admission prices.

How to get there

The museum is situated in Coolhaven, a historic neighbourhood easily accessible by public transport, including the Coolhaven metro station. Visitors can also reach the area by car or bicycle. For precise directions, use the following Google Map: