Discover "The Tornado" - Rotterdam's Hot New Hub of Art and Migration Narratives
Rotterdam introduces a fresh, vibrant art destination.
Take a cultural journey like no other at Fenix, Rotterdam's exhilarating new museum dedicated to the theme of migration. Found in the bustling heart of the city's historic port district, Fenix promises an emotional exploration into the universal and timeless human experience of migration.
Queen Máxima, the Dutch monarch and a fellow migrant herself, inaugurated this architectural masterpiece designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects. With a captivating double-helix staircase, locally known as "The Tornado," it serves as the musuem's sensational centerpiece. Reminiscent of a massive, spiraling waterslide, "The Tornado" leads visitors on an immersive climb up through the building, offering panoramic views of Rotterdam's bustling cityscape below.
Stepping into Fenix, you are greeted by an intricate labyrinth of around 2000 suitcases belonging to those who once embarked on their own migration journeys. Intermingled with photos and personal possessions, their stories are demonstrated through thought-provoking artworks and installations. Featuring exhibitions such as "All Directions," "The Family of Migrants," and "The Suitcase Labyrinth," the museum offers a prismatic look at the intricacies of migration across the globe.
The historic conversion of the century-old warehouse that houses Fenix maintains its connection to Rotterdam's rich maritime heritage, as millions of people once sailed for the New World from its very shores. During its inaugural era, this massive warehouse was governed by the Holland America Line, serving as a melting pot for European and American migrants.
Fenix is more than just a museum; it represents a symphony of Rotterdam's storied past as a hub of maritime migration, combined with its emergence as a contemporary cultural capital. Embodying the spirit of unity and diversity, Fenix stands as a testament to the power of human resilience and determination in the face of monumental change.
[1] "Rotterdam's Fenix Museum Narrates Migration Histories through Art." ntv.de. jwu/dpa, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.ntv.de/Kultur/Rotterdam-Fenix-Museum-macht-migriationsgeschichten-durch-Kunst-erzhaelt,6813875.html[2] "Fenix Museum: Rotterdam's new hub bringing stories of migration to the forefront." Leiden University. Leiden University, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2022/06/fenix-museum-rotterdam-s-new-hub-bringing-stories-of-migration-to-the-forefront[3] "Museum Fenix Rotterdam Presents International Artwork Exploring Global Migration." artdaily.com. Art Daily Media, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.artdaily.com/news/145061/Museum-Fenix-Rotterdam-presents-international-artwork-exploring-global-migration[4] "Fenix: Museum Dedicated to Migration Displays Global Narratives through Art." world-art.net. World Art News, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.world-art.net/fenix-museum-dedicated-to-migration-displays-global-narratives-through-art/402724[5] "Inside the Fenix Museum in Rotterdam." Designboom. DesignBoom, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/inside-fenix-museum-rotterdam-06-18-2021/
- Visitors of Fenix, Rotterdam's new art museum, can engage with the community policy of embracing migration stories as they experience various exhibitions depicting global narratives, such as "The Suitcase Labyrinth" and "The Family of Migrants."
- A home-and-garden lifestyle can be of particular interest to those visiting Fenix, as the converted century-old warehouse now houses an assembly of 2000 suitcases, representing a blend of personal possessions, photos, and artworks that narrate the unique lifestyles of individuals who underwent migration journeys.
