Foto: Boudewijn Bollmann
Delinking and Relinking Reshuffled: material and climate
Pop-up exhibition about the relationship between art and climate
Mar 7, 2025 - Apr 21, 2025
How do artworks relate to climate change?
In the spring of 2025, a part of the Van Abbemuseum will be temporarily closed due to essential work on the climate installation. These efforts will enhance the building’s sustainability and provide enhanced protection for the artworks. During this period, a selection of the 120 artworks that was on display in the collection presentation Delinking and Relinking required temporary relocation. To address this challenge, the museum has devised an innovative solution: a special pop-up exhibition showcasing the connection between art and climate, which will be on show from March 8 to April 21.
In early March, artworks from the collection presentation Delinking and Relinking were moved from the collection building to the old building. These artworks were displayed across five floors, while in the old building, onlye three rooms were available. Assistant curator Chala Itai Westerman collaborated with the collections and technical teams to engage with contemporary issues and create a unique exhibition. In Delinking and Relinking Reshuffled: material and climate, art and climate engage in a dialogue. Each room will feature at least 20 works displayed in a specialized depot-style arrangement. The presentation of these works prompts contemplation on the role of art in sustainability. Art transcends mere aesthetic appeal; it can serve as a catalyst for bridging pressing contemporary themes.
Which works are on show?
In Delinking and Relinking Reshuffled, the works are presented according to their material sensitivity to climate. The first room shows artworks that are most sensitive to climate fluctuations. These include El Lissitzky's drawings from the Proun series and photography by Rineke Dijkstra. In the second room, artworks of average fragility are exhibited. Think of the well-known Monochrome Blue, sans titre (IKB 63) by Yves Klein and Otobong Nkanga's Scaffolding Series. In the third room oil paintings, including famous works such as Pablo Picasso's Buste de femme, Charley Toorop's Volkslogement and Iris Kensmil's Angela Davis #2, will be shown.
Additional programme and tickets during temporary closure
Visitors will receive a voucher for a free return visit during the temporary closure. Museumkaart and VIP cardholders will receive a voucher allowing them to bring a guest for free on their return visits. Tuesday afternoons between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM will remain free of charge during the closure. The additional programme during the closure will be announced shortly on the Van Abbemuseum website.
Why change the climate system?
The museum's climate system plays an essential role in protecting the artworks from fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity. Climate control is necessary to keep artworks made of fragile materials such as wood, textiles, paper and paint in optimal condition. At the same time, it is a huge energy consumer within the cultural sector. By installing this new heat pump, the Van Abbemuseum is taking an important step towards sustainability.
More about Delinking and Relinking
The Delinking and Relinking Reshuffled presentation temporarily replaces the Delinking and Relinking collection presentation. The collection presentation will open again on 27 April. More about the collection presentation Delinking and Relinking: with over 25 multisensory tools, including texts in Braille, scent interpretations, tactile drawings and sound scapes, Delinking and Relinking is the first fully multisensory collection presentation in the Netherlands. The exhibition enriches everyone's art experience and makes the artworks accessible to a wider range of visitors, including wheelchair users and blind, visually impaired, deaf and, hearing impaired visitors.