Van Nelle – Art Rotterdam

Van Nelle – Art Rotterdam


This year’s edition of Art Rotterdam, the only important art fair for contemporary art in the Netherlands, moved to a new location, the former Van Nelle factory. This building is considered one of the main historic industrial monuments in the country. Designed by Leendert van der Vlugt from the Brinkman & Van der Vlugt architecture office (in collaboration with engineer J.G. Wiebenga) between 1926 and 1930, this building was an example of Nieuwe Bouwen, a modern architectural style in the 1920s and 1930s. The factory produced Van Nelle’s famous brand products shag, cigarettes, tea and coffee.

The former Van Nelle factory is a beautiful monumental piece of protected heritage and gives space to Art Rotterdam’s main fair and new art section, a group show of the Mondrian Foundation for young talent titled Prospects & Concepts, and Projections, a separate projecting room for videos.

With the incredible amount of space and many windows, which evoke lightness and openness, the art fair could not be located in a more monumental setting. Even though more than hundred galleries participate, it is perhaps the building itself that is the main attraction of this year’s edition. Without any doubt the Van Nelle factory plays and is the great show piece of Art Rotterdam 2014. A visit to this building is worth the trip (tip: stay until it becomes dark outside, the lighting will astound you upon leaving).

Art Rotterdam 2014 was until Sunday, 9th of February 2014.