31 october 2024, Flor Linckens
Art up close: visit the studios at Maakhaven
On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November 2024, the Maakhaven studio complex in The Hague – located in a former industrial warehouse – opens its doors for the Bermuda Open Studio. Eleven artists, five of whom are represented on GalleryViewer, will offer a unique glimpse into their studios, showcasing a range of disciplines: from photographers and painters to sculptors and designers.
A studio visit brings you closer to the artist’s creative energy. In these spaces, where anything is possible, potential thrives. Here, you not only see the finished work but also the journey leading up to it: from sketches and prototypes to experiments that may never see the light of day. In our recurring The Studio of… series on GalleryViewer, you can visit studios virtually, but this event offers the chance to see in person how artists shape their spaces. Plus, you’ll be able to talk to the artists – and perhaps even see them in action!
“Opening your studio is a deeply personal experience,” says Dirk Hardy (Rutger Brandt Gallery). “It’s where you go through all the phases and emotions before a piece leaves the studio to be shown. You can’t get closer to the creative fire than this.” During Bermuda Open Studio, Hardy invites you to discover his hyper-realistic tableaux, such as those in his ongoing project “Vivarium”, which reflects the complexities of our times. For these created worlds, he draws inspiration from memories, current events, and art and film history. Hardy builds sets in his studio, placing his characters in modern trompe-l’oeil settings behind glass – seemingly unnoticed, yet not entirely safe from the viewer’s voyeuristic gaze. “You’re looking at a moment that never actually happened. They are montages or collages,” Hardy explained in a previous interview with GalleryViewer’s Wouter van den Eijkel. Through his work, he explores how we relate to one another and to our surroundings.
For Kevin Bauer (Galerie Bart), a sculptor, the studio is a space for material intuition. His works, composed of industrial elements, contemporary artifacts and natural materials, challenge visitors to reconsider their relationship with surrounding objects and structures. His “Civilite” series, on display in his studio, is the result of a fascinating exploration of form and function, playing on the tension between organic shapes and industrial influences. “The open studio is a perfect chance to talk with visitors about my creative processes and the themes that resonate in my work,” he says. “How do we relate to our era, and what traces of our presence will remain in the future? And how do you embody such questions?”
Esther Hoogendijk (Rademakers Gallery) uses her studio as a kind of laboratory, where she blends natural processes into her work. “My work is an endless investigation. In my materials and processes, I’m always searching for the impossible, the counteraction. I bring lifeless things to life,” she explains. Her sustainable sculptures gradually change colour, shape and texture over time due to the effects of air, evaporation or touch. In this way, they become symbols of universal themes such as transience, human impact and the passage of time.
Leslie Nagel (NL=US Art) goes even further by bringing her sculptures to life in a literal sense. In her studio, you can watch her kinetic sculptures vibrate and move – a uniquely sensory experience. For Nagel, working with material and movement is central to her artistic vision. During the open studio, she will also present a series of new small paintings. “These pieces have been a personal journey of discovery for me, and I’m very curious to see how others will experience them. They’ve never been shown before, so it’s exciting to finally share them and see the reactions,” Nagel says.
In Linda Overzee’s studio (Project 2.0 Gallery), visitors can experience the intensive process behind her monumental frescoes on linen. Her contemporary interpretation of this ancient technique incorporates multiple layers and textures and is crafted from traditional materials like pure pigments and lime. In her studio, visitors will witness the creative process firsthand, for which she embraces chance and imperfections along the way. “Since I started working at Maakhaven, I’ve hoped we could one day exhibit together,” she says enthusiastically. “With Bermuda Open, we now have the perfect opportunity. We’re all driven artists, and our work is so diverse.”
The studios of Bas de Boer, Florentijn de Boer, Badriah Suzanna Hamelink, Just Alex, Iede Reckman and Manon Stoeltie will also open for visitors during this weekend. Some of the participating artists will offer exclusive editions for sale: a direct investment in their practice. The Open Studios at Maakhaven are part of Bermuda Open, an annual event in which artists across The Hague open their doors to the public.
