Kunsthal Circles

The bronze, silver and golden Circles provide the Kunsthal with financial vitality. In this way the Kunsthal can continue doing what it is good at: being a trendsetter in the museum world by producing programmes that is rich in contrast and accessible to all.

On 9 February a special evening was organised in the Kunsthal for eighty invited guests with a view to enlarge the inner circle of loyal friends well disposed towards the Kunsthal. The evening was opened by supervisory board chairman Arjan Schakenbos and followed by a guided tour of the ‘Keith Haring. The Political Line’ exhibition led by Emily Ansenk, director of the Kunsthal. Background information was provided by a number of Kunsthal staff. We wanted to increase private individuals’ knowledge of artist Keith Haring’s modus operandi, and of the Kunsthal and its mission in general.

Diner at the Wereldmuseum with Botero, CIRCLE 1 July 2016

On 1 July the ‘Botero. Celebrate Life!’ exhibition was opened. A festive dinner party to mark the opening was organised in the ballroom of the Wereldmuseum. Guests came from far and wide to enjoy an exceptional dinner in the presence of the Maestro himself. Colombian ambassador Juan José Quintana warmly addressed his compatriot Fernando Botero. Gallery owners, art collectors, members of the Colombian Diplomatic Corps and a number of Kunsthal Circle members were treated to wonderfully compelling Colombian music performed by the Dutch trumpet player Maite Hontelé.

PREVIEW PETER LINDBERGH, CIRCLE 9 September 2016

Our Circle members are getting the best bits! In the presence of a first-class selection of international supermodels, the Circle members visited the exclusive opening of ‘Peter Lindbergh. A Different Vision on Fashion Photography’. They were treated to a surprise meeting with Peter Lindbergh and one of his dearest friends, Tina Turner. This was followed by a beautifully decorated dinner party in the town hall, hosted by Mayor Aboutaleb and organised in collaboration with main sponsor Swarovski. A number of Circle members financially supported this first Kunsthal production to contribute to the international tour of the exhibition.

Kunsthal Friendship

Kunsthal Friendship offers a fascinating exchange between art lovers young and old, unexpected meetings, interesting conversations between fans, connoisseurs and newcomers. In 2016 the Kunsthal was able to put together a more robust programme than in previous years for Friends of the Kunsthal and Circle members. With the first ‘Backstage Glimpses’ and the start of the now well-known Friends First Programme the Kunsthal cherishes its friendships.

ANNUAL GUIDED TOUR FOR FRIENDS, 11 March 2016

On Friday 11 March the Friends of the Kunsthal Day took place with a guided tour of exhibition ‘The Museum of Everything’ led by exhibition designer Hester Schölvinck. Friends of the Kunsthal got a backstage glimpse of the production of this unusual exhibition about outsider art. At the end of the afternoon the famous Kunsthal bitterballen were served.

KUNSTHAL BACKSTAGE, 21 June 2016: Botero. Celebrate Life!

On Tuesday 21 June the eye catcher of the ‘Botero: Celebrate Life!’ exhibition – a bronze sculpture entitled ‘Caballo’ – was hoisted on its pedestal. It took an external construction team, consisting of seven people, ten blankets, eight straps and a crane capable of moving 3,000 kilogrammes to get the 1,600-kilogramme bronze exactly in the right position. This painstaking task was an impressive spectacle witnessed by one journalist, two photographers, three curators and a number of Friends of the Kunsthal. There is a lot more to see backstage!

The Friends were wildly enthusiastic about our first invitation ‘Kunsthal – Backstage’. It was a first for Kunsthal Friends to be taken along by curator Annemarie Nycolaas during the construction phase of this summery exhibition. An explanation using a scale model provided an overview of how the works and objects were going to be arranged. Meanwhile, the first canvasses were taken out of their transport cases nearby and their condition was assessed by the curators. The man-sized canvasses in their gold and silver frames were carefully put in the right spot. Leaning against the mouse-grey walls, Botero’s use of lively colours immediately caught the eye.

27 September 2016: Making Africa. A Continent of Contemporary Design

The unpacking of the artworks themselves remains the most exciting moment during the realisation of an exhibition. Various objects in wooden transport crates were delivered at the Kunsthal for the ‘Making Africa’ exhibition. Form, size, colour, volume, weight and smell – every wooden crate contained a new surprise. Five of the Friends of the Kunsthal were lucky enough to be allowed to be present when the various design objects were unwrapped and positioned, under the inspired guidance of Kunsthal curator Annemarie Nycolaas.