The New Van Abbemuseum: Official opening on January 17th, 2003
The Van Abbemuseum
Eindhoven, the Netherlands
pressoffice@vanabbemuseum.nl
Official opening on January 17th, 2003 of the New Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
Following a major renovation and the construction of a new building, the museum now has three times its original amount of exhibition space, plus updated public facilities (restaurant, auditorium, library, bookstore) and ample room for storage. The new building is reflected on a broadened segment of the Dommel River, and the restaurants terrace is situated along the water. The Dutch architect Abel Cahen has designed the new building, and the Belgian interior designer Maarten van Severen has been responsible for the planning of public facilities.
Sky High
An eye-catching element of the new building consists of a twenty-six-meter-high, distinctive tower which has diagonal walls. The tower is the buildings pivotal component; every level of the museum leads to this. The exterior of the new building is faced with Flammet, a grey slate from Lapland. It contrasts beautifully with the light and surprising spaces of the buildings interior.
Expanded exhibition space provides sufficient room for both the permanent presentations of the collection and changing exhibitions. The New Van Abbemuseum is now already being referred to as the cultural jewel of Eindhoven.
About We
The museum will begin its activities with the opening exhibition About We, which will involve the most prominent works from the collection of the Van Abbemuseum. The Van Abbemuseum has been in existence since 1936 and is known throughout the world for its collection of modern and contemporary art, including the most extensive collection of work by Lissitzky to be found outside of Russia, and its exhibition programme.
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