For the 27th edition of Kunsthal Light, artist Isa van Lier (1996) is working in HAL 6 on the site-specific work 'FLOW'. Over the next few weeks, she will be transforming the space into a landscape with colourful pebbles and ceramic sculptures, inspired by the ancient wisdom that lies hidden in Japanese Zen gardens. Van Lier combines the silence and timelessness of the stones with the colours of a sweet shop that represent a world of abundance, speed and technology. With FLOW, Van Lier is inviting the audience to experience the peace and serenity of a Zen garden, while at the same time creating an awareness of the turbulent world in which we live.

While wandering through the landscape, the audience will become a part of FLOW. To Van Lier, the visitors make up a river, representing the stream of thoughts and the constantly changing reality. In FLOW she wants to make the visitors aware of the different currents in life and nature and encourage them to look at the world with curiosity and attention. Inspired by Kawaii – a part of Japanese culture that is all about cuteness – Van Lier gives the pebbles and ceramic sculptures smiling faces, thus providing the objects with a soul. 

Isa van Lier 

Isa van Lier (1996, Amsterdam) graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague in 2020. As part of her studies she participated in an exchange programme at the Tokyo Zokei University. Japanese culture and its ancient wisdom are deeply rooted in her work, which consists of paintings, ceramic sculptures and room-filling installations. These enable Van Lier to explore the boundaries between shape and non-shape, with the aim of cultivating understanding through intuition, body and soul, instead of through ratio, hierarchy and concepts. 

Kunsthal Light 

'Kunsthal Light’ is the Kunsthal’s talent development programme. Since 2011, this exhibition programme has specifically focused on young artists who are able to make a ‘broad gesture’ in an original and artistic way. For this purpose, three times a year, the Kunsthal places HALL 6 (the over 25-meter-long display window along the ramp) at the disposal of an artist who is then given free rein to make a site-specific work.

colourful pebbles from the work FLOW photo, Bas Czerwinski
Isa van Lier at work at her studio photo, Bas Czerwinski
Isa van Lier at work at her studio photo, Bas Czerwinski

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.

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  • 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.

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