The Hague dresses Escher – City Hall is the first iconic building to be festively unveiled

An Escher-inspired optical illusion can now be seen in front of the 50-meter-tall City Hall. This marks the 125th anniversary of his birth. In the coming weeks, the Hague’s more iconic buildings will be decorated in Escher’s style. Like Haagse Poort, Malietoren, Provinciehuis.

Saskia Brunes, Alderman for Culture, and Paul Brokoff, Business Director of The Hague Museum of Fine Arts, gave the go-ahead to the City Hall’s unveiling today.

Alderman Bruin: “We will make this year of Escher a true year of The Hague. We’ve been working hard on a wide range of city programs to make them better known and appreciated.After all, The Hague has the world’s largest museum Escher collection.I think it’s going to be a big boost for the city this year. We hope it will be a source of pride for our residents and a celebration for our national and international visitors.”

optical illusion
Optical illusion is the work of studio VOLLAERSZWART artists Madje Vollaers and Pascal Zwart. Escher often used visual illusions, reflections, impossible architecture, rhythmic patterns and repetitions in his graphic works. Instead of using Escher’s work and images literally, the artist duo wanted these themes to interact with The Hague’s architecture in an abstract way.

The Hague residents can visit the museum for free
Art Museum Business Director Paul Brohoff said: At the museum, you can literally get lost in his impossible world with Escher’s Otherworldly exhibition.

Until June, residents of all city boroughs can visit the exhibition for free at the opening night of a special borough filled with art and music. On such nights, a free shuttle bus runs between the borough and the museum. Last Wednesday was Ecamp’s first district night. Leidshenveen and Ypenburg will open the following night on March 29th. ”

Escher DIY Kit
Numerous activities are taking place throughout the city this year, in collaboration with cultural partners, schools, boroughs and entrepreneurs. For example, Hague entrepreneurs can take advantage of the free Escher do-it-yourself package, which lets you dress up your facility in an optical illusion. The launch will take place on Monday morning in Bihencorf.

Photo: Left to right: Dancer Rutkay Özpinar, Alderman Bruines, Paul Broekhoff (Business Director Kunstmuseum Den Haag), Dancer Barbara Minacori.(Photo: The Hague & Partners / Arnaud Roelofsz)