From 1 March to 31 August 2025 | Kunsthal Rotterdam will present Leap Year, the first major retrospective of South Korean artist Haegue Yang in the Netherlands. This multidisciplinary exhibition spans three decades of work, including installations, video, and sound art.

A retrospective of migration, identity, and culture

From 1 March to 31 August 2025, Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Leap Year, a retrospective exhibition showcasing the works of Haegue Yang, an internationally acclaimed artist from South Korea. Known for her innovative use of everyday objects and materials, Yang’s work merges modernism, folk traditions, and contemporary themes, offering an evocative exploration of identity, migration, and cultural exchange.

The exhibition marks a significant milestone as the first major presentation of Yang’s work in the Netherlands. Spanning three decades of creative practice, Leap Year invites visitors to experience the artist’s multisensory installations, including the interplay of sound, video, and sculpture.

Artist talk with Haegue Yang to be held at Kunsthal

An artist talk featuring internationally exhibited South Korean artist Haegue Yang will take place at Kunsthal Rotterdam on Friday 13 June. The talk is being held in collaboration with the Piet Zwart Institute’s Master Studies in Art, Design and Art Education, and will be moderated by Danny Giles, the current Course Director of the Master of Fine Art programme. The artist talk is scheduled to begin at 15:30, with doors opening at 15:00. Tickets grant access not only to the talk but also to the full range of exhibitions currently on view at Kunsthal Rotterdam. Reduced admission is available for students and passholders.

Highlights of the exhibition

Central to Yang’s artistic practice is the transformation of mundane materials into poetic and thought-provoking installations. Objects such as Venetian blinds, bells, and fans are reimagined to create immersive environments. Her works are celebrated for their ability to weave complex narratives, connecting personal histories with larger societal themes.

Leap Year features several key works from Yang’s career, including some of her iconic installations inspired by folk art and cultural symbolism. Visitors can expect an engaging sensory journey as Yang blends traditional and modern artistic influences, challenging perceptions of materiality and meaning.

About Haegue Yang

Haegue Yang has established herself as one of the leading figures in contemporary art, with a career that spans multiple mediums including sculpture, photography, video, and sound art. Born in Seoul in 1971, she has exhibited internationally, with her works appearing at prestigious institutions such as the Tate Modern in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Yang’s art often addresses themes of displacement, alienation, and belonging, reflecting her experiences of living and working across different cultural contexts. Her innovative approach to materials and her ability to imbue everyday objects with profound significance have earned her widespread recognition.

An international collaboration

The exhibition at Kunsthal Rotterdam is part of a collaborative effort with London’s Hayward Gallery and Zurich’s Migros Museum. By bringing together Yang’s most significant works, Leap Year offers Dutch audiences a comprehensive insight into her artistic journey and the themes that drive her practice.

Visiting Kunsthal Rotterdam

The exhibition will take place in Hall 2 of Kunsthal Rotterdam, situated in the heart of Museumpark. The museum’s central location makes it easily accessible by public transport, with the Eendrachtsplein metro station nearby. For those driving, parking is available at Museumpark Garage.

The Museumpark area is also home to other cultural institutions, making it an ideal destination for a full day of art and exploration.

From 5 July to 23 November 2025 | Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Cute, an exhibition delving into the cultural and social significance of cuteness. Running from 5 July to 23 November 2025, it highlights kawaii, internet memes, and design.

CUTE exhibition to examine the power and complexity of cuteness

Kunsthal Rotterdam will present the exhibition CUTE from 5 July to 23 November 2025, inviting the public to reflect on how visual charm influences perceptions, culture, and behaviour. The exhibition investigates how ‘cuteness’ has emerged as a potent cultural force, capable of both soothing and subverting.

Originating from Somerset House in London and co-curated with Kunsthal Rotterdam, the exhibition brings together more than fifty artists and collectives from around the world. These include Takashi Murakami, KAWSxCampana, Sejoon Kim, Aya Takano, and Mark Leckey. Their works explore how cuteness intersects with identity, gender, nostalgia, and technology.

Exploring five dimensions of cuteness

The exhibition is structured around five thematic zones: Cry Baby, Play Together, Monstrous Other, Sugar-Coated Pill, and Hypersonic. Each theme reveals a different aspect of cuteness, ranging from comforting and innocent to unsettling or ambiguous.

One example is Graphic Thought Facility’s AI-generated cat portraits, which appear charming at first glance but suggest artificial eeriness upon closer inspection. Meanwhile, Ram Han’s gleaming digital illustrations address feminine identity through futuristic aesthetics, and Aya Takano’s paintings explore the fragile boundary between childhood and sci-fi.

Rotterdam-based design duo Supertoys Supertoys also contribute to the exhibition, providing both original works and an immersive layout that reflects their interpretation of ‘radical cuteness’.

From kawaii culture to artistic expression

CUTE also examines the cultural roots of the aesthetic, tracing its rise from early 20th-century Japanese illustrations by Yumeji Takehisa to the global phenomenon of Hello Kitty, manga, and anime. The spread of this aesthetic in the 1990s, sometimes called “pink globalisation,” led to the adoption of kawaii elements in Western pop culture and the development of ‘cutism’—an artistic movement that uses cuteness to address serious themes.

In the digital era, younger creators—shaped by social media, video games, and avatars—have continued to redefine the style. Their works suggest that cuteness can also be subversive, complex, and socially relevant.

Special features and preview

Highlights of the exhibition include the Hello Kitty disco, the interactive Glimmer installation where visitors can become anime characters, and a gaming area with customisable digital monsters. Dutch fashion designer JimmyPaul has created a one-off dress to mark the seventieth anniversary of Miffy (Nijntje).

Visiting Kunsthal Rotterdam

The Cute exhibition will be held in Hall 1 of Kunsthal Rotterdam, located in the Museumpark. The venue is easily accessible by public transport, with Eendrachtsplein metro station just a short walk away. For those travelling by car, parking is available at Museumpark Garage.

The Museumpark is a vibrant cultural area in Rotterdam, home to several museums and attractions, making it an ideal destination for a day of exploration.

From 24 May–14 September 2025 | Kunsthal Rotterdam will soon unveil over 35 sculptures and reliefs by German artist Stephan Balkenhol. The exhibition explores his distinctive approach to figurative wood sculpture.

Wooden figures to be unveiled at Kunsthal Rotterdam

From 24 May to 14 September 2025, Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Stephan Balkenhol. Something is happening, an exhibition showcasing the work of the German sculptor known for hand-carved wooden figures that blend classical influences with modern sensibility.

Balkenhol, born in Fritzlar in 1957, is recognised for his decision in the 1980s to work exclusively in figurative forms. This choice, made during a period when conceptual and abstract art dominated the field, placed his work in quiet opposition to prevailing trends. Many of his sculptures depict ordinary people in static, serene poses, often wearing simple clothing like dark trousers and light shirts.

Among the highlights of the Kunsthal exhibition are his Zodiac series—twelve reliefs inspired by astrological signs, reimagined in contemporary form—which will be shown together for the first time. Also included is the 2022 piece Mickey Mouse, which features a man’s head topped with cartoonish ears. While humorous at first glance, the subject’s expression introduces a layer of contradiction, echoing themes of pop art and quiet introspection.

Visual language rooted in European tradition

Displayed in Hall 3, the selection includes human-animal hybrids, mythical references such as Perseus and Medusa, and scenes that invite the viewer’s interpretation. Balkenhol’s style draws upon the heritage of Ancient Egyptian, medieval, and Renaissance sculpture. Though rooted in history, his works are grounded in the everyday.

A manual process shaped by instinct

Balkenhol’s creative method is deeply hands-on. He begins with a chainsaw to carve basic shapes before refining details with traditional hand tools—hammer, chisel, and gouge. He often chooses wood from poplar, wawa, or cedar trees, crafting both the figure and base from a single block. The material allows him to work at a natural pace, which he contrasts with the slowness of stone and the rapidity of plaster or clay. Visible tool marks remain on the surface, preserving the tactile energy of the sculpting process.

Connection to Rotterdam

The artist’s link to Rotterdam has been further strengthened by a recent commission. On 4 April 2025, a new statue of Dutch composer Willem Pijper (1894–1947), created by Balkenhol, was unveiled outside concert venue de Doelen. This public work now forms part of the city’s cultural landscape, underscoring Balkenhol’s relevance to Rotterdam’s artistic identity.

Exhibition location and directions

The exhibition takes place at Kunsthal Rotterdam, situated in the city’s Museumpark. The area is easily accessible by foot, bicycle, and public transport. Museumpark is known for its green surroundings, proximity to other major museums, and architectural interest, including the Kunsthal building itself, designed by Rem Koolhaas.

UNTIL 5 October 2025 | A glass collection with a secret is on display in Rotterdam, revealing decades of hidden change beneath its polished surface. ‘Huilend glas’ (‘Crying glass’) invites visitors into the world of glass conservation and the ongoing investigation into unstable glass. The exhibition, located in Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, is centred on a phenomenon that has puzzled restorers and scientists for years.

Inside the crying glass exhibition

The exhibition Huilend glas presents the results of a long-running conservation investigation that began in 2008. Glass objects from the museum’s collection were found to have developed a dull appearance, with fine droplets forming on their surfaces. These were not merely signs of ageing but indicators of chemical instability—glass that is, quite literally, beginning to cry.

Changes in the composition of glass throughout history—driven by innovation or necessity—have led to a range of material behaviours. In some cases, these experiments produced unstable glass. In humid or acidic environments, certain chemical components can leach from the material, creating surface droplets. Over time, this can lead to cracking or even total disintegration.

A multi-sensory and scientific approach

Visitors are encouraged to experience the fragility of glass through sight, touch, and even smell. Works by sound artist Harpo ’t Hart and scent designer Frank Bloem offer immersive installations where the feeling and scent of unstable glass are simulated. The glass may feel unusually smooth or greasy to the touch and release a faint odour, ranging from musty to acidic.

Glass restorer Marc Barreda contributes a contemporary artistic layer by intentionally creating unstable glass for the exhibition. His work adds speculative insight into the unknowns of glass chemistry, reinforcing how little is still understood about the long-term behaviour of this ancient material.

The research continues

The ongoing nature of this investigation reflects the unpredictable evolution of materials in museum collections. The museum continues to monitor the affected glass objects while also sharing the process openly with the public. Rather than treating these vulnerabilities as flaws, the exhibition frames them as evidence of the dynamic and changing nature of materials over time.

Huilend glas transforms the traditionally static image of museum objects into one of quiet but active transformation. It invites reflection on the impermanence of materials and the challenges faced by conservators preserving cultural heritage.

Directions and location

Visiting Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen

The exhibition is located in Galerie I on the third floor of Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, Museumpark 24, 3015 CX Rotterdam. The depot sits within Rotterdam’s Museumpark, a short walk from Rotterdam Centraal Station and accessible via tram and metro connections. The surrounding area is home to other major institutions, including the Kunsthal and the Natural History Museum, making it a central cultural destination.