28 Spaces &
5 Performances
The September edition of Art Central Rotterdam XL marks the grand opening of the new cultural season, serving as a citywide celebration of contemporary art. This event reaffirms the profound significance of art as a vital and essential component of society.
Building on the success of previous editions, Art Central Rotterdam XL - Art Weekend will once again bring together 28 venues across the city. Galleries, institutions, and artist-run spaces will collaborate to showcase Rotterdam's vibrant art scene. The public program promises a rich tapestry of exhibitions, performances, and guided tours, offering visitors diverse opportunities to engage deeply with contemporary art.
This citywide manifestation aims to foster collaboration, celebrate creativity, and provide a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange. Art Central Rotterdam XL - Art Weekend invites both local residents and international visitors to immerse themselves in the dynamic and evolving landscape of contemporary art in Rotterdam.
Grand Opening:
Friday 13 Sept, 19:00–21:00h
@NIO House Rotterdam
Meent 80, 3011 JN Rotterdam
All venues are open:
Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 Sept
12:00–18:00h
A system is not the sum of its parts
Curated by
In its 2024 program, Art Central Rotterdam XL approaches the city of Rotterdam as a system. While the February exhibition explored the networks converging in the Beurstraverse, this September program engages with subsystems and their interactions across the city. The title is borrowed from the American systems theorist Russel L. Ackoff, who said that a system is not the sum of its parts, but rather, the product of their interactions.
This performance program asks which relational networks make up the city and what happens when these are temporarily exposed or influenced.
Urban infrastructures, such as architecture, streets, and signage, serve both as frameworks for and expressions of relations. What emerges are dynamic networks of humans, non-human entities, and their activities. ‘A system is not the sum of its parts’ presents five performances that intervene in contexts across Rotterdam, weaving a unifying thread through various art venues and inviting exploration of the city.
The artists in the program explore the urban environment through the lens of information, interaction, language, ecology, and directions. As described below, their performances reveal the flows of movement within the city (Ilke Gers), challenge spatial perceptions (Elsemarijn Bruys), respond to the language of gentrification (Cengiz Mengüç), explore hidden urban biodiversity (Marika Vandekraats), and point at the interplay between locations and cultures (Toine Horvers). In doing so, they invite audiences to interact with and consider their surroundings in unexpected ways.
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APerformance
Normal Distribution,
Ilke GersCourtesy of JOEY RAMONE
Normal distribution is a site-specific work made along the Kruisplein pedestrianised walkway. Simple curve markings with chalk powder play on the mathematical notion of Normal distribution, bringing into question the myths and problematics of standardising models that underlie the public sphere dominated by business interests. Referring to the Bell curve, where most of the data lies around the average and the real information is revealed by the tails of the curve stretching out on either side, the work evokes the history and problematics of the Bell curve. It relates its origins and standardising function to the site; a busy, transitional space that connects the train station to the centre of the city, falling within Rotterdam Central District's developing '24-hour economy', surrounded by multinationals Shell, Unilever, Robeco and Coolblue. As the markings are picked up by footsteps, and therefore slowly erased by pedestrians walking over it, the chalk will spread in two main directions––towards the station and towards the city centre––thus becoming an analogue visual marker of distribution created and eroded through audience movement.
Date & Time: Saturday, 14 September, 12:00–12:30
Where: Kruisplein Rotterdam -
BInstallation
Solid Ground,
Elsemarijn BruysCourtesy of Contour Gallery
Solid ground refers to a foundation, stable ground, soil, both literally and figuratively. The work plays with spatial perception; Where does the ground begin or end? This inflatable sculpture invites interaction—walk across it, sit on it, or lie down, and you'll gradually sink into its surface. The work matches the dimensions of Contour Gallery, displacing the ground surface of the indoor gallery into a public environment–playfully letting you experience space anew.
Date & Time: Saturday, 14 September, 15:00-18:00
Where: Rijnhoutplein Rotterdam -
CGuided Walk
Smoothie Report,
Cengiz MengüçCourtesy of OMI Rotterdam
Cengiz Mengüç delves into the languages of gentrification processes in Rotterdam. Drawing inspiration from René de Boer's notion of the 'Smooth City'—a global trend where cities strive for perfection, efficiency, and control, pushing out alternative stories, ideas, and subcultures—Mengüç investigates how this phenomenon unfolds in Rotterdam's city center. His project, 'Smoothie Report,' collects texts from real estate, city marketing, hospitality, and retail advertisements he encounters in the urban landscape, and re-composes them as poetic slogans. These slogans are then reintroduced into the cityscape as subtle interventions, playfully questioning the dominant urban narratives. During the guided walk, Mengüç leads visitors past these interventions and invites them to construct alternative slogans together – encouraging a deeper examination of the structured language of the city and potentialities for subversion.
RSVP: rsvp@artindexrotterdam.nlDate & Time: Sunday, 15 September, 11:00-12:00
Where: Starts at WTC, Beursplein 37 -
DWorkshop
How to see through the eyes of a Fish,
Marika VandekraatsThe art of fly-fishing is a craft in which the maker ties various materials onto a hook to resemble a bug to attract a fish. In the workshop ‘How to see through the eyes of a fish’, we will construct a mimicry of aquatic beings that reside in the Maas to call to the fish that swim along the river. The workshop will give attention to the varied beings and sights within the currents of the river, while also gleaning from the materials in the cityscape. Traditionally, the materials used in crafting hooks can be synthetic, but are also often sourced from other animals such as birds, rabbits, deer, and even polar bears. The materials, when combined together, glimmer under the water and move in organic ways, mimicking bugs that call the fish's attention. This art of multispecies communication becomes an act of hybridity— combining fragments of various species to mimic another. Using speculation and a bit of local gleaning, we will consider the sights that a fish in the Maas would see and consider what would grab its attention. This workshop would bring to the attention of participants what lies beneath the surface of the Maas and consider the (often hidden) biodiversity of the city.
Registration required, sign up via rsvp@artindexrotterdam.nlDate & Time: Sunday, 15 September, 14:00-16:00
Where: Varia Zone, Gouwstraat 3 -
EPerformance
Rotation 5,
Toine HorversCourtesy of PHOEBUS Rotterdam
Cardinal directions are an essential means of orientation in the world, yet also invisible in our daily lives. In his performance titled ‘Rotation 5,’ Toine Horvers verbalizes this orientation system in the context of Rotterdam’s main park. Slowly rotating on his axis, Horvers calls out the words ‘north’, ‘east’, ‘south’, and ‘west’ as he passes those directions. During subsequent rotations, he calls out the words of the four cardinal directions in 65 different languages. The work is a metaphor for unlimited physical and mental space, encouraging the audience to reflect on their connection to other locations and the interplay of cultures within and beyond the city.
Date & Time: Sunday, 15 September, 19:00–19:30
Where: Het Park, Baden Powelllaan 2
Openings &
Special Events
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APerformanceIlke Gers, Normal DistributionWhere: Kruisplein Rotterdam
Date and time: Saturday, 14 September, 12:00-12:30
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BInstallationElsemarijn Bruys, Solid GroundWhere: Rijnhoutplein Rotterdam
Date and time: Saturday, 14 September, 15:00-18:00
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CGuided walkCengiz Mengüç, Smoothie ReportWhere: Starts at WTC, Beursplein 37
Date and time: Sunday, 15 September, 11:00-12:00
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DWorkshopMarika Vandekraats, How to see through the eyes of a Fish Registration required, sign up via rsvp@artindexrotterdam.nlWhere: Varia Zone, Gouwstraat 3
Date and time: Saturday, 14 September, 14:00-16:00
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EPerformanceToine Horvers, Rotation 5Where: Nottebombrug in Het Park, Baden Powelllaan 2
Date and time: Sunday, 15 September, 19:00–19:30
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01BRUTUS‘Lust for Life’ – The Levenslust Academy, a social and artistic adventure in collaboration with Pluspunt. Curated by Fred Balvert (director of Science Gallery Rotterdam)Where: Keileweg 18
Meet the Artist: Saturday,14 September, 14:00–16:00
Guided Tour: Sunday, 15 September, 16:00 -
02Christian Ouwens Gallery20 Years of Christian Ouwens GalleryWhere: Eendrachtsweg 20
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, from 10:00
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03Christian Ouwens Galerie @DonnerOpening of the gallery’s new, second space in Donner Bookstore.Where: Binnenwegplein
Grand Opening: Friday, 13 September, from 10:00
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04ContempoNora Tholhuijsen, solo exhibitionWhere: Heemraadssingel 119
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 15:00–18:00
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05Contour Gallery‘Continuity Error’ – Mesut Öztürk, solo exhibitionWhere: Josephstraat 164
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 15:00–18:00
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06Eye Love You Art Space‘Eye Mind’ season opening group exhibition (including the presentation of the project ‘postcards to Eye Love You Art’) / The performance ‘La Loba Leaps Into the Void’ by Lola den Dunnen starts at 16:00.Where: K.P. van der Mandelelaan 50
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 15:00–18:00
Performance: Saturday, 14 September, 16:00 -
07Frank Taal‘WORD!’ – Manfred Peckl / ‘Black is Black, but sometimes it’s not’ – Julia Schewalie, duo solo exhibitionWhere: Van Speykstraat 129
Opening: Saturday, 14 September 15:00–19:30
Performance: Saturday, 14 September 16:00 -
08Galerie Atelier Herenplaats‘in nevelen gehuld’ – group exhibition with Vincent de Bruijn, Coen Ringeling , Reginald Drooduin, Mies van de Perk, Wouter Valentijn, Anuja Hoogstad and Corné Huijgens.Where: Schietbaanstraat 1
Opening: Friday, 13 September, 17:00–20:00
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09Galerie Weisbard‘Vintage sale’ – Vincent Mentzel. A sale exhibition of vintage prints covering 50 years of press photography. Politics, news, culture and portraits (including a classic series by Jules Deelder).Where: Karl Weisbardstraat 175
Finissage: Saturday, 14 September, 14:00–17:00
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10Gallery Untitled‘XXL Art’ – group exhibition with Sander Buijk, Johan Kleinjan, Pai Dekkers, Floris Hovers, Lenny Oosterwijk, Cirque de Pepin, Telmo Pieper, Ingrid Baars, Florian Borstlap & Ko de Kok en Luuk Bode. / ‘Hemelblauw' – Lenny Oosterwijk, solo exhibitionWhere: Koningsveldestraat 14
Film Screening: Sunday, 15 September 15:00 & 16:00
Guided Tour: Sunday, 15 September 16:30 -
11Garage Rotterdam‘Underdeveloped’ – group exhibition by curators Reza Afisina and Reinaart Vanhoe.Where: Goudsewagenstraat 27
Opening: Friday, 13 September, 19:00-00:00 with DJ sets
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12H(a)L in Het Archief‘Below the Surface’ – group exhibition with Suzette Bousema, Joost van Hezewijk, Nico Parlevliet, Marike Schuurman. Curated by Flos Wildschut. / 6th floor: a monumental installation ‘Meditation Circus’ by Teun Vonk.Where: Robert Fruinstraat 52, ground floor
Special Event: Saturday, 14 September, 15.00–18.00
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13H(a)L in Galerie LecqInstallation by Maurice MeewisseWhere: Brugwachtershuisje, Westzeedijk 375
Open: 24/7
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14JOEY RAMONE‘A Constellation of Empathy’ – Florian Braakman, solo exhibitionWhere: Josephstraat 166
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 15:00–19:00
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15Kunstinstituut Melly / HipHopHuisKunstinstituut Melly is installing new exhibitions and invites everyone to the opening on Friday, 20 September! At HipHopHuis a pop up exhibition about Amilcar Cabral with ‘Flava In Ya Ear’ a unique dance battle.Where: Witte de Withstraat 50
Opening: Friday, 13 September
Dance Battle: Saturday, 14 September
More info on www.hiphophuis.nl -
16Murals Inc.'Wasteland Tunnel Rats' – with Eliote, Ishem and Vador. Curator: Yves Landheer / yves.paintkillersWhere: Piekstraat 31
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17Nieuw Charlois‘EREB’ – Arianne van der Gaag and Machteld van Joolingen, duo exhibitionWhere: Wolphaertsbocht 81
Meet the Artist: Sunday, 15 September, 15:00–18:00
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18NIO House RotterdamPresentation of 20 Artist by Art Central Rotterdam XLWhere: Meent 80
Grand Opening: Friday, 13 September, 19:00-21:00
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19NL=US Art‘KEEP ON GOING’ – a kinetic group exhibition with seven artists at NL=US Art: Pfeifer&Kreutzer, Jan van Munster, Leslie Nagel, Jorrit Paaijmans, Julius Stahl and Lily de Bont. Curated by Lily de Bont.Where: Mauritsweg 55
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 15:00–17:00
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20OMI‘Rotterdam Culture City | Post 65 Files II’ with works by Atelier van Berlo, Broekbakema, Obscura, Powerhouse Company, Quist Wintermans, Lesia Topolnyk and West 8. During the exhibition, three young architects and urban designers – Margot van Bekkum, Arianne Fleege, Mike van Rheenen – will add their vision for the Schouwburgplein.Where: Schietbaanstraat 21
Guided Tour: Sunday, 15 September, 14.30
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21PHOEBUS RotterdamMain Gallery: Summer exhibition with 20 artists – Michael Toengens, Amparo Sard, Regula Maria Müller, Celio Braga, Jan Smejkal, Tineke Bouma, Joachim Bandau, Simon Benson, Kostana Banovic, Charl van Ark, Hans Houwing, Sarah van der Lijn, Esther Bruggink, Stefan Gritsch, Paul de Kort, Pjotr Müller, Gam Bodenhausen, Mark Cloet, Tineke Bouma. Drawing Cabinet: Jan Smejkal, Johan van Oord, Ken'ichiro Taniguchi, Regula Maria Müller. Project Space: ‘Loops and Orbits’ – installation by Johan van de Veen.Where: Eendrachtsweg 61
Loose lunch: Saturday, 14 September, 12:00
Artist Talk: Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 September, 16:30
Performance: Saturday, 14 September, 14:00 & 16:00 by Sara Nuytemans. -
22ROOF-ASeet van Hout, solo exhibition / ‘The Passants’ – Sjoerd Knibbeler / ‘An Other World’ – Michelle PiergoelamWhere: Westplein 9-B
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 16:00
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23Studio Seine'Grief' – Tahné Kleijn and Lise Lou Sore, duo exhibitionWhere: Mathenesserdijk 323 A
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 13:00–17:00
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24Varia‘Listening to the cracks’ - Yoana Buzova and Matthias Hurtl (cancelled)Where: Gouwstraat 3
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25VIVID Galerie25 Years Galerie VIVIDWhere: Red Apple Building, Scheepmakershaven 17
Opening: Sunday, 15 September, 16:00
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26Westerkadekunst‘Happy Days’ – Niels Smits van Burgst, solo exhibitionWhere: Westerkade 29A
Opening: Saturday, 14 September, 16:00
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27WORM – S/ash Gallery‘Queer Kitchen’ by the Taiwanese art collective Walking Grass Agriculture (Han-sheng Chen and Hsing-yu Liu). Exhibition curated by Yen-ting Kuan. In collaboration with Benjamin Li and Pascalle de Jager.Where: Boomgaardsstraat 71
Meet the Artists: Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 September, 13:00–18:00
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28WTC Rotterdam Art GallerySandra van der Meulen – Arie de Groot – Georg BohleWhere: Beursplein 37
Meet the Artist: Saturday, 14 September 15:00–17:00