An Incredible Light Show...

There were some cool neon lights in the foyer of the Art Depot. 

It was great that it was getting dark as we exited.

Upstairs we had learned when we saw this model that there was a light show, but weren’t sure about the timing.

Turns out that our timing was perfect as it started just minutes after we exited. 

On the left you can spot the funky sculpture that projects the colorful bubbles. 

There was a wide variety of designs, which kept us fascinated until the end of the show.

 

Views Over Rotterdam...

There were a few spots where we could see views of the city.

The must dramatic was from the rooftop terrace, where we posed for another selfie. We were glad that we managed to find five seats so we could sit together in the café and enjoy a drink and cake. 

There wasn’t a dramatic sunset, but it was nice to see the lights of the city turning on...

...and very cool to see the lights of the New Institute, the redesigned national architecture museum. 

 

Bright Colors at the Top...

As we worked our way up each floor, the bright colors on the 6th floor became clearer. 

These bright colors were actually on yet another bridge...

…along with some contrasting black and white furniture holding colorful pottery. 

 

More Art Depot...

It was fascinating to learn that it was this silver bowl sitting on the table during a design meeting that inspired the winning design of the building. 

Guests were invited to share ideas of a future museum they’d like to see built in Rotterdam. Not a big surprise that Veronica suggested a food museum.

It also shouldn’t be a surprise that I took a ridiculous amount of photos. Here’s a bunch from the center hallways and staircases.

 

A Man in the Floor...

It was especially fun seeing this man, whom we’d seen poking his head out of the floor in the Boijmans Museum several times over the years. Sorry that I couldn’t find the first photo I took of him, back when there was no barrier around him despite the hole that a child could easily fall down. Eventually a transparent box was placed over him so there was no danger of falling. 

Now that he’s been relocated, he remains safely off limits to intruders and can be viewed from every angle.

 

A Huge Variety of Art...

Only a few pieces of art were on display in the center hallways for visitors to see. 

Instead, the collection is stored in separate rooms depending upon the medium. 

Storing over 30,000 paintings means only a few were visible from the hallway.

Much of what was visible in the large objects compartment was pretty humorous, including this blue creature...

…this half-Santa and half-spaceman...

…a big baby and a boy in a box...

….this colorful couple...

…and a bathtub built to look like a boat.

 

Grand Opening of the Art Depot...

After watching the Depot Boijman’s Van Beuningen being built since early 2017, it was very exciting that I managed to book tickets to attend the opening weekend in early November. Veronica made it back in town just in time. It was great that Sally and John also joined us. We started with a selfie in the mirrored exterior. 

Rather than a traditional museum, the building houses more than 151,000 objects collected by the associated museum over the past 173 years. The design inside was as impressive as the design outside with staircases that looked like something out of an Escher print. 

One very unique design element was that were several transparent bridges containing small works of art which could be viewed from above...

…or below.

Jimmy, Veronica and I were happy to hang out on a bridge...

…while Sally was happier to cross quickly. 

Behind the dramatic center staircases and artworks were rooms where the behind-the-scenes work is done such as art restoration.