The Kunsthal Rotterdam proudly presents My Secret Garden, the first exhibition in the Netherlands of work by the Belgian artist Arne Quinze. Quinze, who works internationally, creates large-scale public installations and sculptures. His works are often built from of various types of wood. My Secret Garden is his first large-scale indoor project.

Especially for the installation, Quinze has introduced light and sound compositions by music duo Danny Mommens and Els Pynnoo.  Visitors can follow the artist at close range while the installation is being set up and during the exhibition, which will be held from 24 May to 7 June in the Kunsthal. Quinze can also be seen via live stream during the preparation and realisation of his work. This Kunsthal exhibition is part of a double project. At the same time, the permanent installation Rock Strangers will be opened at Beaufort04 in Ostend, and the exhibition entitled Cities like open air museums is in full swing at the Venetiaanse Gaanderijen (Venetian Galleries) along the Belgian coast. On the Zeedijk (sea dike) in Ostend the visitors will be in direct contact with the Kunsthal via live stream. They are able to see the visitors in Rotterdam walk through the installation.

Garden

My Secret Garden comprises two sections: a remarkable wooden installation and a space that Quinze calls ‘the temple'. With this wooden labyrinth, he provides a framework within which people can consider how they organise their lives in relation to others. Quinze considers a ‘secret garden' to be a place where we can feel safe, secure and in control of who and what has access to our very own distinctly-bound territory. A ‘temple', on the other hand, is a place where we can simply be ourselves. Branches from an altar reach out towards the surrounding space. Quinze's most recent works are exhibited in metal display cases. In addition to the installation and ‘the temple', visitors can watch the films Rock Strangers and My Secret Garden, including the making of in Kunsthal and interviews conducted with the artist and others by Saskia de Coster.

Preparations for My Secret Garden

Arne Quinze

Arne Quinze (1971) lives and works in Sint-Martens-Latem in Belgium. He began work in the 1980s as a graffiti artist but never followed an official course of training. Quinze concentrated on creating large and small sculptures, drawings, paintings and large-scale installations, his smaller artworks, sketches and drawings serving as studies for his large installations. Social interaction, communication and urbanism are recurrent themes in Quinze's oeuvre.  Quinze has constructed installations including Cityscape and The Sequence in Brussels, The Visitor in Lebanon, Uchronia in the Nevada Desert and The Traveller in Munich. 

Publication

This double project is accompanied by a special box published by Frame Publishers and containing two publications and the DVDs My Secret Garden and Rock Strangers. Texts are written by Saskia de Coster.

Arne Quinze sketches
Saskia de Coster discovers a Secret Garden of her own
Preparations for My Secret Garden
Shrine My Secret Garden
Preparations for My Secret Garden

About your visit

Booking an online ticket in advance is mandatory for everyone, including visitors with a Museumkaart, Rotterdampas, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Skip list
  • The Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.

  • Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.

  • Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.

  • In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.

All Frequently Asked Questions