Art Rotterdam 2023

New Sculpture Park celebrates connection with the city of Rotterdam

From Thursday 2 February to Sunday 12 February, the iconic Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam will be hosting the 24th edition of Art Rotterdam. Over a total surface area of 10,000 m2, over one hundred leading national and international galleries will be exhibiting works by both up-and-coming and established artists. Two new developments in this edition: the Sculpture Park presentation, supported by Stichting Droom en Daad, and the central placement of the New Art Section.

Sculpture Park Sculpture Park will feature ten to twenty primarily large-scale works of art related to nature or the urban environment. The presentation will be located in the Tabaksfabriek (Tobacco Factory), one of the industrial and historic sections of the Van Nelle Fabriek. The architectural details are being developed by spatial design studio Tom Postma Design (known not only for their work at Art Rotterdam, but also Art Basel, Frieze Masters and TEFAF). Part of the exhibition space is dedicated to artists who live in Rotterdam or are graduates of a Rotterdam art academy, since after all, Sculpture Park revolves around the connection with the city of Rotterdam. Rotterdam boasts a unique international collection of over 50 major works of art. These sculptures, placed at important locations throughout the city, form part of the public programme for Rotterdam Art Week. The administrator of this collection, Sculpture International, is also involved in the content and promotion of Sculpture Park at the Van Nelle Fabriek. As part of this involvement, a representative of Sculpture International, together with a representative of Tom Postma Design and a Rotterdam curator/museum director, are all on the selection committee. Stichting Doom en Daad is also an important initiator of Sculpture Park. This foundation, which was established in 2017, is a philanthropic fund that invests in projects that help make Rotterdam attractive and appealing to residents and visitors alike. 

Sculpture Park selection committee 
The works of art will be chosen by a selection committee consisting of Ove Lucas (director CBK Rotterdam and director Sculpture International Rotterdam), Saskia van Kampen (curator Boijmans Van Beuningen) and Tom Postma (creative director Tom Postma Design).

New Art Section 
With the always surprising New Art Section, Art Rotterdam offers a unique presentation of up-and-coming artists. This year, the focus is enhanced. To endorse the philosophy behind Art Rotterdam - discovering new art and encouraging young talent - a central placement has been chosen. Visitors to this 24th edition cannot miss it, as the New Art Section is located directly next to the entrance and its innovative presentations are hard to ignore. Two restaurants are located adjacent to the presentation that are accessible from the entrance area. 

Michiel Simons of galerie M.Simons, comments, "As a young gallery owner, I am extremely proud to once again have the opportunity to take part in the New Art Section at the most prominent contemporary art event in the Netherlands. The bold character and exceptional quality of Art Rotterdam make the event a platform where, together with my artists, I can always go the extra mile in creating a presentation that is as unexpected and surprising as possible. I look forward to welcoming visitors in February with a solo presentation of work by Hadrien Gerenton and to get inspired by my fellow gallery owners."