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Kunsthal Rotterdam To Host Iris Van Herpen’s ‘Sculpting the Senses’ Retrospective

BBG News

Summary

  • Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Iris van Herpen’s Sculpting the Senses exhibition
  • The retrospective showcases over 100 haute couture pieces, blending fashion with art and science
  • Highlights include pieces from the SS11“Crystallization” SS20 “Sensory Seas” collections

Following the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, Kunsthal Rotterdam will be the next destination for Iris van Herpen’s Sculpting the Senses exhibit. This significant retrospective of Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen’s innovative work was originally devised by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and has been showcased globally since its debut from 2023.

The exhibit is going to showcase more than a hundred of van Herper’s most famous designs, giving guests an interactive experience that connects fashion, contemporary art, design, and science. Some of the notable pieces include the Labyrinthine Gown from SS20, the Hypnosis Speed Top from FW11, and the Skeleton Dress from FW11. Using multi-sensory installations and a creative display layout, this retrospective encourages visitors to delve into the changing connection between clothing, the body, and our surroundings.

With an innovative mix of classic artistry and modern technology, Van Herpen, a designer from the Netherlands, consistently pushes the limits of high fashion. Her designs are deeply influenced by nature, as seen in collections like “Crystallization” from SS11 and “Sensory Seas” from SS20, which showcase her fascination with organic shapes. The “Crystallization” collection features designs made from handblown glass and laser-cut techniques, capturing the different states of water – liquid, frozen, and vapor. On the other hand, “Sensory Seas” compares the human nervous system to ocean currents, using translucent materials to represent the fluidity of deep-sea life.

As a captivated admirer, I must share my excitement over this exhibition that skillfully blends the allure of mythology, futurism, and the intricate beauty of the human form within its designs. Drawing inspiration from the enigmatic artworks of 15th-century master Hieronymus Bosch, van Herpan seamlessly weaves surreal and symbolic elements into her creations, challenging the boundaries between our animalistic and human natures.

A prime example of this is her Hypnosis dress, a collaboration with architect Philip Beesley, which uses intricate laser-cut kaleidoscopic patterns to produce an optical illusion that dances with movement. This mesmerizing effect serves to blur the line between my physical being and the garment itself, creating a captivating interplay of fashion and form.

The exhibition titled “Sculpting the Senses” is set to debut on September 27. You can catch it in Kunsthal Rotterdam’s Hall 2 until March 1, 2026. For further details, please check out their official museum website.

Kunsthal Rotterdam
Museumpark
Westzeedijk 341
3015 AA Rotterdam
Netherlands

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2025-05-20 11:56

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