Start your weekend with a PERFORMANCE by artist Michiel Huijben.
Last year, we commissioned visual artist Michiel Huijben to conduct research into our building's design, in its place within the construction of Dutch national identity and institutions in the late 19th Century. For its part, our building was designed by municipal architect C.B. van der Tak. It was constructed in the 1870s as a female-only civic school. On this evening, audiences are welcome to enjoy Act One of a two-part performance that activiates Huijben's research and installation.
Act One departs from the specificities of the building’s exterior. Beginning with ornamental sculptures 3D-scanned from the institution’s façade, the story builds to pan outward into the surrounding city via other examples of nineteenth century architecture in Rotterdam. These ornaments could be considered characters, sculptures, or simply extras in the debate around a national architectural style. These pieces are handled by Huijben at different moments in a live performance that locates the 50 Witte de Withstraat amid Dutch national histories and their life in the present city-scape.
Following the performance, a reception will be held in MELLY. The sculptural installation can be viewed on the second floor exhibition spaces. This presentation is part of Anchored, a project series that explores this institution’s immediate environment, including its building, street, and neighbors. Experience other Anchored projects at MELLY and as part of Rotterdam Cultural Histories on the first floor.