Kunsthal Rotterdam to Host Iris van Herpen’s Groundbreaking Exhibition: Sculpting the Senses
After a successful run at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum, the highly anticipated Sculpting the Senses exhibition by Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen is making its way to Kunsthal Rotterdam. This major retrospective, originally conceived by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, has been traveling internationally since 2023 and will now be on display at the prestigious Dutch museum.
Blending Fashion, Art, and Science
Featuring over 100 haute couture pieces, the exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience that blurs the lines between fashion, contemporary art, design, and science. Van Herpen’s avant-garde approach to haute couture seamlessly combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, pushing the boundaries of fashion.
Highlights from the Collections
Among the notable pieces on display are the SS20 Labyrinthine Gown, the Hypnosis Speed Top from FW11, and the FW11 Skeleton Dress. Through multisensory installations and a dynamic exhibition design, audiences are invited to explore the evolving relationship between clothing, the body, and the environment.
Inspired by Nature and Mythology
Known for her deep inspiration from nature, van Herpen’s collections such as “Crystallization” from SS11 and “Sensory Seas” from SS20 reflect her fascination with organic forms. The “Crystallization” collection captures the beauty of water in its various states, while “Sensory Seas” draws parallels between the human nervous system and ocean currents.
The exhibition also showcases van Herpen’s fascination with mythology, futurism, and the human body. Her designs, inspired by 15th-century painter Hieronymus Bosch, incorporate surreal and symbolic elements, blurring the lines between human and animal forms.
Experience the Illusion
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the Hypnosis dress, created in collaboration with architect Philip Beesley. Using laser-cut kaleidoscopic patterns, the dress creates an optical illusion that shifts with movement, blurring the distinction between body and garment.
Mark Your Calendars
Sculpting the Senses will open on September 27 and will be on display at Kunsthal Rotterdam’s Hall 2 until March 1, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the groundbreaking work of Iris van Herpen. For more information, visit the museum’s official website.
Location:
Kunsthal Rotterdam
Museumpark
Westzeedijk 341
3015 AA Rotterdam
Netherlands
