2017: Mondriaan to Dutch Design

Holland celebrates 100 years of De Stijl

In 2017 it will be 100 years ago that Theo van Doesburg established a journal called De Stijl in Leiden, to showcase the artistic philosophy of the Dutch art movement De Stijl. World-famous artists like Piet Mondrian, Gerrit Rietveld and Bart van der Leck were members of the avant-garde movement. From Leiden the radically innovative abstract art of De Stijl took over Holland, and thereafter the world. Throughout 2017 Holland will be celebrating 100 years of De Stijl with numerous large and small exhibitions all over the Netherlands, all centred on the theme of From Mondrian to Dutch Design.

Leiden is the birthplace of De Stijl, and so will play a key part. From June 2 til August 27 2017, Museum De Lakenhal presents Open Air Museum De Lakenhal. 100 Years after De Stijl, featuring works by contemporary artists on the Pieterskerkhof (Peter's Church Square), located in the historical centre of Leiden. More information about the programme in Leiden will follow soon.

Mondriaan to Dutch Design

In 1917, Theo van Doesburg published magazine De Stijl, providing a platform for questions about the principles of beauty and functionality, and balancing 'keep it simple' with daily reality, dynamics and energy. Especially Mondrian's strictly geometrical works have become international icons of De Stijl.

The mentality to apply innovation to society in a way that is accessible, optimistic, unconventional and humoristic re-appears in the work and techniques of world famous contemporary Dutch designers such as Piet Hein Eek, Maarten Baas, Daan Roosegaarde and Joris Laarman.

100 years of creativity and innovation

A journey trough Holland is like a journey along 100 years of innovation and creativy: literally from Mondriaan to today's Dutch Design. Make a stop in Leiden, Amsterdam and Drachten for a first acquaintance with founder Van Doesburg. The Hague has the world's largest collection of works by Mondriaan. Go and find out where Mondriaan was raised in Amersfoort and Winterswijk. Experience Gerrit Rietveld's legacy in Utrecht and visit Kröller-Müller Msueum for an acquaintance with collector Helene Kröller-Müller's protegé Bart van der Leck. Travel to the capital of Dutch Design - Eindhoven - and meet the makers and the innovators. Here you'll discover where the future's design is invented and made.

De Stijl in Holland

In 2017, NBTC Holland Marketing and partners put Holland on the map as cultural destination and country where creatives have been innovating the world's art, architecture and design for 100 years. A selection from the programme:

  • Constructivisme en De Stijl in Noord-Nederland Museum Dr8888, Drachten (from 28 January 2017)
  • Re-opening Mondriaan House, Amersfoort (June 2017)
  • Arp: The Poetry of Forms Museum Kröller-Müller, Otterlo (20 May til 24 September 2017)
  • Openlucht Museum De Lakenhal. 100 jaar na De Stijl, Leiden (2 June til 27 August 2017)
  • 300 x Mondriaan. De collectie Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (3 Juni til 24 September 2017)
  • Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven (October 2017)

partners

The Mondriaan to Dutch Design year 2017 is a collaboration between NBTC Holland Marketing, The Hague Marketing, Utrecht Marketing, Amersfoort City Marketing, Visit Brabant, Leiden Marketing, Tourism Gelderland and Museum Drachten.

Participating museums: Gemeentemuseum The Hague, Centraal Museum Utrecht, Museum De Lakenhal Leiden, Museum Drachten, Kröller-Müller Museum Otterlo, Kunsthal KAdE Amersfoort, Rietveld-Schröder House Utrecht, Mondriaan House Amersfoort, Villa Mondriaan Winterswijk, Pavillion Gerrit Rietveld De Zonnehof Amersfoort, Dutch Design Week Eindhoven, Design Academy Eindhoven, Textile Museum Tilburg, Gemeentemuseum Helmond, Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch and Moti Breda.

more information