The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam is opening the world’s first fully accessible art depot this weekend, putting its vast collection of 151,000 artworks on view.
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is the world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility. It is located adjacent to the museum in Rotterdam’s Museumpark, and opens on November 6.
The purpose-built depot features exhibition halls, curators’ studios, a restaurant, and a rooftop garden that offers spectacular views across the city in the Netherlands.
“Opening up this collection is important,” said Sjarel Ex and Ina Klaassen, directorial team at Boijmans Van Beuningen. “The objects and artworks that artists and designers have produced are an essential part of our thinking and acting.”
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
“This new tool, this new typology, helps us to preserve and open up these treasures. The best part is yet to come: the building as we have devised it is now going to shape us,” Ex and Klaassen added.
The 167,000-square-foot storage building was designed by architectural firm MVRDV. Visitors will enjoy an immersive experience, also learning about caring for an art collection and observing restoration processes, packaging and transportation.
“In the depot, the visitor is invited to delve into what collecting is in various ways and to actively relate to the collection and to share their own knowledge about collecting objects with the museum,” said Sandra Kisters, head of collection and research.
151,000 artworks
The works of art are stored efficiently, with artifacts hanging from a rack, displayed in cabinets, or exhibited in gigantic display cases suspended in the atrium. The film and video collection can be seen in projection rooms.
“I invite visitors to take a journey of discovery through the dizzying collection, while discovering the building at the same time. For me, the depot will be a success if everyone feels welcome there,” said Winy Maas, founding partner at MVRDV.
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is expected to attract 150,000 to 250,000 visitors annually.
Images: MVRDV
