News and Events in from Holland this Autumn Current and future events & exhibitions Current David Cronenberg - The Exhibition, EYE, Amsterdam Until 14 September 2014 EYE presents a major exhibition focusing on director David Cronenberg, who acquired cult status with his idiosyncratic films about the relationship between body, mind, technology and mass media. Curated and organized by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the exhibition explores Cronenberg’s world through the main themes of his films: the physical and psychological transformation of his protagonists. Highlights of this exhibition include the weird and wonderful special effects items from Cronenberg’s films, together with bizarre props, set photos and original costumes. Cronenberg has worked with famous actors such as Jeff Goldblum, Keira Knightley, Holly Hunter, Jude Law, Jeremy Irons and Robert Pattinson, whom he challenged to push the boundaries of their profession. Fashion, the musical, Centraal Museum, Utrecht Until 30 November 2014 Fashion illustrator Piet Paris is guest curator for Centraal Museum. More than 150 items are selected by Piet Paris from the Centraal Museum collection and presented in a surprising manner: as scenes in a musical. Taking the visitor from backstage and the red carpet to – eventually- the stage, he shows more than fifty looks by designers such as Comme des Garçons, Maison Martin Margiela, Iris van Herpen, Viktor & Rolf, but also 17th and 18th century costumes. Paris wants to show fashion in context, and not isolation. He combines fashion with objects, which he actually puts to use: ticking clocks, flower-filled vases and burning lights. He breaks the anonymity of the mannequin by giving each one a complete outfit, as well as a face drawn by the illustrator himself. Piet Paris literally brings the Centraal Museum collection to life. Piet Paris (The Hague, 1962) is probably most well-known for his work as fashion illustrator for magazines such as Vogue and Elle. As creative director, he also produced the first three editions of the Arnhem Fashion Biennale. September VISSCH: culinary fish festival in Scheveningen, The Hague 5 September - 7 September 2014 Scheveningen has been a centre for the fishing industry for centuries. The three- day VISSCH festival combines the history of the harbour with the fish experience. The festival puts a new perspective on the fishing industry and allows visitors to experience the taste of Scheveningen fish. Seafood lovers can see and taste what Scheveningen, its fishing industry and restaurants have to offer in combination with fish and other workshops, stories about the fishing industry and music performances. World Port Days, Rotterdam 5 September - 7 September 2014 This year’s theme for Rotterdam World Port Days is the ‘colourful port’. Europe’s largest port is not only literally colourful with its myriad containers, ships and cargo, it also offers an array of unexpected treasures along the waterfront. Adding a splash of colour to the port area are areas brimming with unique flowers and Scottish highlander cattle. There are a wealth of works of art and architectural masterpieces to be seen. The World Port Days celebrate the port city of Rotterdam. Hundreds of thousands of people seize the opportunity each year to gain a unique behind- the-scenes view. The highlights this year include the tugboat parade, emergency and drudging demonstrations and a sloop race. Plus one of the impressive P&O cruise ferries will ‘make a U-turn’ on the river. There will also be a programme of star-studded entertainment and fireworks on the Saturday evening. The Royal Netherlands Navy ships and a submarine will be moored on the quays along the river Maas. De Karel Doorman, which is the largest navy ship Holland has ever had with a length of 205 metres, will be open to the public for the first time. For the younger visitors there will be a special Kids’ Square at the end of the Wilhelmina Pier. Visitors can also go on one of the many excursions to the companies located in the port of Rotterdam such as Dutch Customs, Damen Shiprepair and the ECT Delta Terminal (Europe’s largest container terminal). There will also be the unique opportunity to visit the world’s largest coal unloader at the EECV and the much-discussed LNG terminal or to take a boat trip on the Port of Rotterdam’s executive vessel called the Nieuwe Maze. During the weekend the Maritime Museum will open its doors to visitors free of charge. Children can also experience the ultimate port sensation at the Kids Marina children’s attraction. As the captain of a police boat, tugboat or round trip boat, they can learn about the port and its functions and vessels while they are sailing. Visitors can take a round trip boat ride with Spido and Splashtours’ amphibious bus is a great adventurous way to explore the river Maas. Entrance to the World Port Days is free. Only the excursions are subject to a charge. Tickets for the excursions are available online. 68th Airborne March, Oosterbeek 6 September 2014 The Airborne March is the largest one-day march in the world. This commemorative march is held every year on the first Saturday in September in Oosterbeek, in remembrance of the Battle of Arnhem of 1944. The march commences at 07.30. Dining with the Tsars. Fragile beauty from the Hermitage, The Hermitage Amsterdam 6 September 2014 – 1 March 2015 Eight magnificent porcelain and creamware services from the collection of the Hermitage in St Petersburg will be exhibited in a setting that conveys what the balls and banquets of the Tsar’s court were like. Visitors will imagine they are guests, in possession of a coveted imperial invitation, climbing the steps of the Winter Palace, reviewing the rules of etiquette and preparing for a festive occasion. Finally they enter the main hall where the fine porcelain dinnerware is set out in a festive display. The exquisite porcelain services, comprising no less than 1,034 pieces, exhibited on authentically laid tables with decorative centrepieces, reveal the enchanting grandeur of the Tsars’ banquets. The exhibition tells the story of the lavish ball and banqueting culture that reached its zenith under the reign (1762-1796) of Catherine the Great, Queen of Feasts, when hundreds of dishes would be served at a single banquet and thousands of guests attended the balls. The last tsar, Nicholas II (ruled 1894–1917) and his wife Alexandra, who organised the largest balls but were only present for as briefly as possible. With their abdication, the ball and banqueting customs that had once captured the imagination of all the courts of Europe came to an end. The finest pieces are from the dinnerware collections of Catherine the Great, such as the Green Frog Service (Wedgwood, England), the Cameo Service (Sèvres, Paris, exhibited for the first time with silver gilt flatware), which at one time comprised nearly a thousand pieces, and the Berlin Dessert Service (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin). The services of later Tsars were no less impressive and significant for their connection to European history. The services are exhibited in accordance with the rules of etiquette, augmented with ornate centrepieces, gold-rimmed crystal glassware, candelabras, vases, detailed silverwork and wall decorations. The exhibition features a wide range of pieces, from ice buckets for liqueur bottles and ice-cream coupes to salt and pepper sets and table figurines. Heritage Days 13 September - 14 September 2014 The ‘Open Monumentendag’ (Heritage Days) is held every year in the second weekend of September. Approximately 4.000 historical buildings and sites open their doors to the public. You can learn more about the historic environment and the need for preservation of these monuments. Each year around 80 to 85% of Dutch municipalities participate in the Heritage Days, organized by local committees. Besides opening their doors, many locations also organize on-site activities like exhibitions, music and guided tours. Almost every Dutch monument is open to the public, free of charge, in the weekend of the Heritage Days. The event typically attracts around 900.000 people. Forever Vintage Museum of Bags and Purses, Amsterdam 15 September 2014 -1 March 2015 With Forever Vintage, The Museum of Bags and Purses takes a close look at the magic of classic vintage and retro handbags that have kept their charm and attraction over the years and keep reappearing in one form or another. The display also proves that timeless is not the same as ageless. Precious classics from the museum’s collection are paired with inspired later originals and imitations, which have frequently inspired later designers in their turn. The result is an imaginative exhibition full of fond recognition and delighted surprises when models or designs turn out to be much older or younger than they seem at first. Prince’s Day, The Hague 16 September 2014 Prinsjesdag or Prince's Day is held every year on the third Tuesday in September. It is an important day in Dutch politics because His Majesty the King reads the Speech from the Throne that outlines the government policy for the year ahead. Prinsjesdag is more than a political and economic event, however. It has great ceremonial significance. Prior to the Speech from the Throne a royal procession moves from Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal in The Hague. The King waves to the people from the Golden Coach. It is a happening that has thousands of people lining the route. The royal procession involves a great deal of military might. The line-up includes standard bearers, the cavalry and other honorary escorts. Rothko Exhibition, The Gemeentemuseum, The Hague 20 September 2014 – 1 March 2015 From rosy pink and jubilant yellow to bright blue to sombre black – face one of the vast canvases created by Mark Rothko (1903-1970) and you feel yourself being sucked into his world.