Centraal Museum presents Marijke van Warmerdam: Then, now, and then

September 10–November 13, 2022

The entire first floor of the Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd is dedicated to an exhibition of the works of Marijke van Warmerdam (Nieuwer-Amstel, 1959). Van Warmerdam doesn’t use narrative in her artwork; instead, she depends on the striking visual impact of the motif, such as a red suitcase slipping down a snowy mountain or a girl executing a handstand. She works with a range of media, including photography, sculpture, and sound installations, but her short film loops are her specialty.

Rome yesterday, today and tomorrow

In 2017, Van Warmerdam traveled to Rome for a few months and captured the city in her own distinctive style. This led to the creation of the Then, now, and then series of movies, in which the present is connected to the past and the future. In these movies, Van Warmerdam depicts the vibrancy of the Baroque period in modern-day Rome. The Caravaggisti, whose works the Centraal Museum has, were significantly influenced by these late 16th-century movements as well.

The films are played in Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd’s historic chambers as looping repetitions in which the noises of the city are just as important as the illustrative visuals. In actuality, the soundtrack serves as the thread that binds the 16 movies together, allowing viewers to enjoy the series as a compelling whole while being taken on a tour of the birthplace of the Baroque style. The book Then, Now, and Then highlights the aspects of chance and unpredictability that have given city life a unique flavor for ages.

Centraal Museum at Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd

The Centraal Museum will stay at Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd from 2022 to 2026. This lovely country mansion will serve as the backdrop for a solo show by a well-known Dutch contemporary artist throughout the course of the following five years, from spring to fall. The museum will provide artists complete freedom to display pieces that engage with the mansion’s historic interiors on its first level. The second artist in this series of exhibitions is Marijke van Warmerdam.