Reflections Talks 2026
Once again, visitors to Art Rotterdam can count on an inspiring and freely accessible Talks programme. Reflections 2026 includes a number of engaging artist talks, Q&As and lectures on current topics, presented by artists, curators, museum directors and other experts from the artistic field.
Programme Friday 27 March
| Friday 11.15 – 12.30 BK Informatie | ‘Het kan ook anders’ | Artist Talk A conversation about tipping points in the projecessional practice of visual artists | *Dutch spoken Art historian Meta Knol will be in conversation with podcaster and philosopher Esther Didden about our podcast about tipping points in the professional practice of visual artists. Two visual artists will be joining to discuss tipping points in their careers; 2025 Prix de Rome winner Kevin Osepa and Linda Molenaar. What challenges did they face, and how did they cope? What stands out to us in the podcast series? Do we see underlying patterns, or not? What questions does this raise about the state of artistic practice in the Netherlands? And should we perhaps look at it differently ourselves? Please note: subscription & tickets: bkinformatie.nl/register |
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| Friday 14.00 – 14.30 Rijksakademie | artist Guy Woueté and newly appointed director of the Rijksakademie Laurence Rassel in conversation | *English spoken Artist Guy Woueté engages in conversation with Laurence Rassel, the newly appointed director of the Rijksakademie, about working within hybrid institutions across disciplines and continents. Woueté was a resident at the Rijksakademie (2009–2010) and later an advisor. They previously worked together at erg (école de recherche graphique) in Brussels, where Rassel was director for ten years and Woueté is currently a teacher. A thoughtful exchange on the importance of artistic development and international exchange. |
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| Friday 15.00 – 15.30 Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience Lecture by Dr Laura Mueller, Deputy Director and Curator Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | *English spoken This lecture explores the curatorial development of Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine and the commissioning of Ukrainian photographer Marta Syrko’s series Wrapping Art—Art of Salvation. It considers how museums and curators have an opportunity to collaborate with contemporary artists during conflict to document cultural preservation, while the gravity of the subject matter lends profound depth and urgency to artworks that stand as powerful acts of witness, resilience, and cultural survival. |
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| Friday 16.00 – 16.45 Artist Start – Panel discussion on a research into the career development of artists who received an Artist Start grant by the Mondriaan Fund | *Dutch spoken HKU and HTH Research conducted research commissioned by the Mondriaan Fund into the career development of artists who received an Artist Start grant, or a predecessor thereof, at the beginning of their artistic careers. The research results will be presented to a broad audience, with active involvement of students. |
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| Friday 17.00 – 18.00 Mondriaan Fund Get a Grant event – The Prospects Edition Artist Talk and Subsidy information | *English spoken When can you apply for a grant and how does the process work? Especially for students and emerging artists, the Mondriaan Fund is organising the Get a Grant event, an information session on grant opportunities for starting visual artists. On Friday 27 March (5–6 pm), a staff member will explain the Artist Start grant and artist Jochem van den Wijngaard will share his experience with applying. There will also be time for questions and practical tips. You can register here. |
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Program Saturday 28 March
| Saturday 12.00 - 12.45 Talkshow Hugo Borst & Wilfried de Jong As a guest a.o.: Wim Pijbes, Director Droom en Daad | *Dutch spoken Hugo Borst and Wilfried de Jong have a lot in common. Rotterdam, radio & television, writing, journalism. They also differ. Wilfried is an actor, Hugo a gallery owner. Wilfried is the Polaroid man, Hugo collects art. Curiosity and humor drive this occasional duo. Especially for Art Rotterdam/Unseen Photo, they compose a special talk show. One guest is already known. Wim Pijbes, flamboyant art historian, director of Stichting Droom en Daad, a private cultural fund that invests in culture in Rotterdam. Wilfried and Hugo will also interview a well-known photographer and a visual artist. Make sure you attent this show on time! |
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| Saturday 13.00 - 13.30 Museumtijdschrift presents: a live-interview with Fiona Lutjenhuis | *Dutch spoken An interview with artist Fiona Lutjenhuis by Jeroen Junte, editor-in-chief of Museumtijdschrift, the biggest art magazine of the Netherlands. Lutjenhuis is a finalist for the Prix de Rome 2026 and had a solo exhibition at the Noordbrabants Museum in 2025. From 2022 to 2024, she was a resident at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten. During Art Rotterdam, the artist is represented by gallery Fleur & Wouter, on show at New Art Section booth K25 and Sculpture Park section. |
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| Saturday 14.00 - 14.30 Rijksakademie | Artist Talk / Q&A Marieke Zwart and artist Dineke Blom in conversation | *Dutch spoken Artist and Rijksakademie alum Marieke Zwart and artist Dineke Blom engage in conversation about Zwart's new book ‘she saw i saw’, which explores the visibility of maternity care in the Bijlmermeer neighbourhood of Amsterdam. They discuss the search for balance between distance and proximity – on paper and beyond. How does social practice relate to artistic considerations? The conversation will be moderated by Evita de Roode. |
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| Saturday 15.00 - 15.20 AVROTROS' MUZE presents: De Muzen van Morgen I Michelle Piergoelam Artist Talk / Q&A | *Dutch spoken Curator and art journalist Lieneke Hulsthof in converstation with a promising Dutch artist. In this edition, she talks with art photographer Michelle Piergoelam about how she brings hidden histories and cultural traditions to life in her work. |
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| Saturday 15.30 - 15.50 AVROTROS' MUZE presents: De Muzen van Morgen II Noa Zuidervaart Artist Talk / Q&A | *Dutch spoken Curator and art journalist Lieneke Hulsthof in converstation with a promising Dutch artist. In this edition, she talks with artist Noa Zuidervaart about how he explores complex issues in his work and translates them into drawings, sculptures, and found objects that come together in layered installations. |
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| Saturday 16.30 - 17.00 The Role of Women Artists in the Art World! | Conversation / Q&A Carolina Alfonso, Artist and Moderator in conversation with Alejandra Castro Rioseco, Founder/Executive Director, MIA ART Collection | *English spoken The importance of raising awareness about gender equality in art is fundamental. Professional and private institutions must collaborate in creating spaces not only for exhibitions but also for reflection that unite the perspectives of civil society and academic institutions with those of artists, curators, collectors, and galleries. The role of MIA ART Collection is to invest in and create visibility for women artists in the art world, creating networks and channels of support and assistance for women professionals in the arts. |
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Program Sunday 29 March
| Saturday 12.00 - 12.30 South Forward – DHB Art Space The City Through Us | Artist Talk / Q&A | *English spoken Join curator Jeanthalou Haynes and the artists of DHB Art Space – South Forward for an interactive artist talk on art, neighbourhood knowledge and sustainability in Rotterdam South. In every city, people and local initiatives contribute to the future of their neighbourhoods, often beyond the view of the wider public. Through stories and shared material samples from the artworks, the audience is invited to discover how artists make these stories visible and how art rooted in the city can contribute to a more sustainable future.Presentation South Forward on view at DHB Art Space booth J 04. |
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| Saturday 13.00 - 14.00 From Carbon Footprint to Collective Action: Galleries, Fairs, and Artists in a Warming World | Lecture and subsequently 13.30: Panel discussion | *English spoken As the climate crisis intensifies, the art world has both the opportunity and the responsibility to reduce its carbon footprint. In this session, organized by the Dutch Gallery Association, the Gallery Climate Coalition will present its global initiatives, outlining practical strategies for carbon reduction across exhibitions, shipping, travel, and production. Subsequently 13.30 a panel featuring an artist, gallerist, and art fair professional will explore how collective responsibility can drive measurable impact, advancing long-term sustainability and systemic change within the Dutch art world. |
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| Saturday 15.00 - 15.20 uur AVROTROS' MUZE presents: De Muzen van Morgen III Dakota Magdalena Mokhammad Artist Talk / Q&A | *Dutch spoken Curator and art journalist Lieneke Hulsthof in converstation with a promising Dutch artist. In this edition, she talks with artist Dakota Magdalena Mokhammad about her search for identity, spirituality, the body, and gender — and how these themes take shape in her tapestries and installations. |
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| Saturday 15.30 - 15.50 AVROTROS' MUZE presents: De Muzen van Morgen IV Chris Nelck Artist Talk / Q&A | *Dutch spoken Curator and art journalist Lieneke Hulsthof in conversation with a promising Dutch artist. In this edition, she talks with artist Chris Nelck, whose diverse practice is characterized by humor and intellectual sharpness, and is informed by a trans and queer perspective. |
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| Saturday 17.00 - 18.00 Kunstinstituut Melly presents Suitcase Economy Informal Economy (Barter space) | *Dutch and English spoken Artist Riet Wijnen brings Suitcase Economy to the fair. By running this experimental canteen, she is developing a method to connect daily contexts in, among others, Limburg (NL), South Korea and South Africa through histories of preservation and fermentation. In relation to this interest, Riet invites visitors to bring homemade preserved goods, ingredients for culturally specific dishes, recipes, or money to exchange for Suitcase Economy staples, experimenting with collapsing economic models through negotiation. More information: kunstinstituutmelly.nl |
