This summer Kunsthal Rotterdam, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen join forces for Rotterdam Xpanded. From 18 June through 18 September 2016, these three leading art institutes present a multidisciplinary programme in and around the Museumpark, featuring remarkable films and exhibitions by internationally acclaimed and pioneering artists. And there is more to relish, from amazing music and delicious food to inspiring workshops. The three programmes that constitute Rotterdam Xpanded coincide for five days: from 13 to 17 July. These dates the Kunsthal and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen are open till 22.00 hrs. This collaboration is celebrated with a festive evening on Wednesday 13 July at the Museumpark.

Rotterdam Xpanded is a unique long-term collaboration between the city of Rotterdam, the business community and prominent cultural institutions, aiming to boost the cultural aura of Rotterdam. Its initiators – IFFR, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and Kunsthal Rotterdam– are very pleased with the first Rotterdam Xpanded.

Emily Ansenk, executive director Kunsthal Rotterdam: “By joining hands, we are better equipped to show what Rotterdam has to offer in the cultural sphere. Seeing all the great things we have to offer, Rotterdam can attract many more art-loving visitors. And now with the business community joining forces with us too, the opportunities are huge. With the combined programme of Rotterdam Xpanded, we hope to be a catalyst for tourism in Rotterdam.”

Ina Klaassen, business manager Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen: “Through this unique alliance between three cultural institutions and Rotterdam’s business community, we develop something special, something we couldn’t achieve separately. Not only do we offer visitors to the city of Rotterdam an extraordinary art experience; with Rotterdam Xpanded we also provide the city with more clout to capitalise its cultural pole position in Rotterdam.”

Janneke Staarink, IFFR’s managing director: “Rotterdam Xpanded is a growth model, with the current cultural institutions and businesses as its point of departure. The intention is to strongly expand this cooperation in the coming years with more internationally operating cultural organisations and more commercial partners.”

Botero: Celebrate Life!

2 July till 11 September

The Kunsthal is full of Latin American life this summer. ‘Botero: Celebrate Life!’ will exhibit almost a hundred paintings, sketches and pastels by the world-famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero (1932), as well as a few sculptures, including the striking ‘Caballo’, Botero’s monumental sculpture of a horse. The exhibition provides a panorama of the artist’s personal favourites from his considerable oeuvre. Every week of the exhibition, the Kunsthal hosts Latin Life Sundays, enjoy the music, dance, food and cocktails, the theatre, circus and poetry in the Kunsthal and the Museumpark!

Olafur Eliasson: Notion motion

18 June till 18 September

This summer, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen re-exhibits the installation Notion motion (2005) by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson (1967). Eliasson specially created this monumental art work for Boijmans. It consists of three different light projections that explore the interaction between water, light and the viewer. Notion motion uses as many as 20,562 litres of water and 800 pieces of duckboard. The piece was donated to the museum in 2005 by the Han Nefkens Foundation.

IFFR White Nights

13 till 17 July

In the centre of the Museumpark, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) erects its tents during IFFR White Nights. Under a white canvass roof, short films will be shown, shot in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon and Tunisia. IFFR White Nights exhibits the pool of talent entering Europe as a result of the inflow of refugees. Every day, the programme features a music documentary and a feature film, there are workshops and visitors can enjoy great food. One of the tents is programmed by Het Nieuwe Instituut. IFFR White Nights is supported by Rotterdam Festivals