Front Linden
Suzanne Swarts on 'Picasso-Giacometti' in anniversary Voorlinden
Heroes of art: Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti at Museum Voorlinden in Wassenaar.
DATE
23 November 2021
TEXT
Herman Rosenberg
IMAGE
Ruud Baan (portraits)
Front Linden
Suzanne Swarts on 'Picasso-Giacometti' in anniversary Voorlinden
Heroes of art: Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti at Museum Voorlinden in Wassenaar.
Bhe surprise on every visit is the atmosphere and class the ensemble exudes. The old manor house and the modern museum are embedded in the green setting of the estate. A classic landscape of meadows and groves rejuvenates itself towards the museum in Piet Oudolf's garden design. Flowers, plants and grasses colour with the seasons. This gesamtkunstwerk is worth seeing on its own, apart from what you will experience in the museum.
And to think that Joop van Caldenborgh, founder of the museum and the original owner of the collection, used to not want a museum at all. Fortunately, he changed his mind about 10 years ago, mainly because he wanted to ensure the survival of his collection. "We are all still very happy about that and we enjoy it every day," says director Suzanne Swarts (42). "By the way, we are not a private museum, as is commonly thought. Like the estate and the museum, the collection has been donated to a foundation and thus in fact to society."
Tension
We are sitting in a quiet corner of the mansion's terrace. Autumn is in the air and Voorlinden is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary after the awkward corona period. Central to this, of course, is a major exhibition.
What exactly is going to happen? "I have to introduce it briefly, because we are really going to do something different than usual," Swarts begins, adding to the excitement with a twinkle in her eye. "Basically, we are a contemporary art museum. We let people discover here that contemporary art is exciting and challenging.
Focusing on two heroes of modern art: Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti
Look at wall art by South African artist Robin Rhode on display here last summer. Interventions with social significance, yet very accessible.
Picasso-Giacometti
For the anniversary, we wanted to create a solid classical-modern exhibition. At the centre are two heroes of modern art: Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti. A close friendship developed between them in 1931, despite all their differences.
'Picasso tolerated no competition from Giacometti'
Giacometti toiled in a small studio and was plagued by doubts. Picasso was the flamboyant all-rounder who never seemed to doubt himself for a moment. They influenced each other, also picked up on the same themes, for instance the woman as muse. Later, a kind of rivalry developed, which would eventually lead to a split. Picasso did not tolerate competition."
'Picasso-Giacometti' (on show until 13 February 2022) promises to be a top exhibition in many ways. Voorlinden is collaborating with the most important museums in the field of these two artists, the Fondation Giacometti and the Musée Picasso Paris.
Read also: Most of the artists exhibiting here have an edgy side Art is allowed to wriggle a bit |
The exhibition was on show in Paris in 2016-2017. Swarts: "Joop van Caldenborgh and I went there and immediately knew: this is what we want to have in Voorlinden. Yes, that does cost something. Let's just say it's a very ambitious project. There will be many masterpieces, such as the sculpture 'l'Homme qui marche II' by Giacometti and the 'Portrait of Dora Maar' by Picasso."
'I have trouble with museums and institutions that get too complicated about art'
For Voorlinden, Picasso and Giacometti are basically 'old art', that is, great masters of the past who have played their part in art history. But the museum continues to focus on art by living artists and often by names that have not yet broken through. "We will continue to collect," says Swarts. "We want to be a museum where everyone feels at home; I have trouble with museums and institutions that get too complicated about art. We always offer quality and hang everything with care. No noise in our rooms, just light and space. So that the art is shown at its best. It has to be pico bello."
That premise led to Kraaijevanger Architects being commissioned to tailor part of the museum to a number of major masterpieces. There is, for instance, the space 'Skyspace' by landscape artist James Turrell, which offers a view of the sky through an opening in the roof. And there is the giant steel maze 'Open Ended' by Richard Serra, which you can walk in, but which can also be viewed from above.
'Where are the giants?'
The best-known attraction, however, is Leandro Erlich's mock swimming pool 'Swimming Pool', for which a special basement construction was made. "Our highlights," says Swarts. "To this I must also mention the giant sculptures, 'Couple under an Umbrella', by Ron Mueck. We took those down once, were immediately met with angry children. 'Where are the giants?', they asked. We underestimated what the effect of social media was. Everyone wants to see these masterpieces."
Voorlinden has had a great summer and it was much needed, says Swarts
The public poured in again after the corona closure. Voorlinden has had a great summer, which was much needed, Swarts says. "We have to earn our own money, with the tickets, the shop and the restaurant. So a lockdown like that chops it up. Fortunately, we were also able to take advantage of support schemes." Still, I would like to enquire about the Museum Card, which therefore does not apply at Voorlinden.
'No, nothing is ever sold. You don't get rid of your children either'
Swarts: "I already mentioned it: we are a museum without subsidies. A simple calculation shows that the Museum Card, which has a remittance, would cost us too much money. Fortunately, people are willing to pay for a visit. It is also good that people realise that an experience like the one you have here in Voorlinden costs money."
Favorite work
Voorlinden displays about 100 works on average, but the collection is much larger. "The collection is almost a living organism," Swarts says. "It grows almost every day. We buy intuitively and decide quickly. Van Caldenborgh still collects intensively himself. No, nothing is ever sold. You don't get rid of your children either. We only think about growth. I'm glad you don't ask the standard question - what is your favourite work? - doesn't ask. After all, that changes. It also has to do with moods and emotions. But in the end, every work is equally dear to me."
Caldic Collection
Suzanne Swarts has been associated with the Caldic Collection and Voorlinden for her entire 16-year working life. She once thought of being an artist herself, but chose to study art management in Groningen after the art academy in Maastricht. "My real love turned out to be making exhibitions after all. And with my management background, it was not so strange that, after having been curator of the Caldic Collection for a long time, I started managing the museum. I have an enormous hunger, and primal urge, to discover new art and then share those discoveries with the world. Here in Wassenaar, we have a wonderful stage for that. I can't imagine a finer place."
text Herman Rosenberg image Ruud Baan (portraits)
Bhe surprise on every visit is the atmosphere and class the ensemble exudes. The old manor house and the modern museum are embedded in the green setting of the estate. A classic landscape of meadows and groves rejuvenates itself towards the museum in Piet Oudolf's garden design. Flowers, plants and grasses colour with the seasons. This gesamtkunstwerk is worth seeing on its own, apart from what you will experience in the museum.
And to think that Joop van Caldenborgh, founder of the museum and the original owner of the collection, used to not want a museum at all. Fortunately, he changed his mind about 10 years ago, mainly because he wanted to ensure the survival of his collection. "We are all still very happy about that and we enjoy it every day," says director Suzanne Swarts (42). "By the way, we are not a private museum, as is commonly thought. Like the estate and the museum, the collection has been donated to a foundation and thus in fact to society."
Tension
We are sitting in a quiet corner of the mansion's terrace. Autumn is in the air and Voorlinden is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary after the awkward corona period. Central to this, of course, is a major exhibition.
What exactly is going to happen? "I have to introduce it briefly, because we are really going to do something different than usual," Swarts begins, adding to the excitement with a twinkle in her eye. "Basically, we are a contemporary art museum. We let people discover here that contemporary art is exciting and challenging.
Focusing on two heroes of modern art: Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti
Look at wall art by South African artist Robin Rhode on display here last summer. Interventions with social significance, yet very accessible.
Picasso-Giacometti
For the anniversary, we wanted to create a solid classical-modern exhibition. At the centre are two heroes of modern art: Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti. A close friendship developed between them in 1931, despite all their differences.
'Picasso tolerated no competition from Giacometti'
Giacometti toiled in a small studio and was plagued by doubts. Picasso was the flamboyant all-rounder who never seemed to doubt himself for a moment. They influenced each other, also picked up on the same themes, for instance the woman as muse. Later, a kind of rivalry developed, which would eventually lead to a split. Picasso did not tolerate competition."
'Picasso-Giacometti' (on show until 13 February 2022) promises to be a top exhibition in many ways. Voorlinden is collaborating with the most important museums in the field of these two artists, the Fondation Giacometti and the Musée Picasso Paris.
Read also: Most of the artists exhibiting here have an edgy side Art is allowed to wriggle a bit |
The exhibition was on show in Paris in 2016-2017. Swarts: "Joop van Caldenborgh and I went there and immediately knew: this is what we want to have in Voorlinden. Yes, that does cost something. Let's just say it's a very ambitious project. There will be many masterpieces, such as the sculpture 'l'Homme qui marche II' by Giacometti and the 'Portrait of Dora Maar' by Picasso."
'I have trouble with museums and institutions that get too complicated about art'
For Voorlinden, Picasso and Giacometti are basically 'old art', that is, great masters of the past who have played their part in art history. But the museum continues to focus on art by living artists and often by names that have not yet broken through. "We will continue to collect," says Swarts. "We want to be a museum where everyone feels at home; I have trouble with museums and institutions that get too complicated about art. We always offer quality and hang everything with care. No noise in our rooms, just light and space. So that the art is shown at its best. It has to be pico bello."
That premise led to Kraaijevanger Architects being commissioned to tailor part of the museum to a number of major masterpieces. There is, for instance, the space 'Skyspace' by landscape artist James Turrell, which offers a view of the sky through an opening in the roof. And there is the giant steel maze 'Open Ended' by Richard Serra, which you can walk in, but which can also be viewed from above.
'Where are the giants?'
The best-known attraction, however, is Leandro Erlich's mock swimming pool 'Swimming Pool', for which a special basement construction was made. "Our highlights," says Swarts. "To this I must also mention the giant sculptures, 'Couple under an Umbrella', by Ron Mueck. We took those down once, were immediately met with angry children. 'Where are the giants?', they asked. We underestimated what the effect of social media was. Everyone wants to see these masterpieces."
Voorlinden has had a great summer and it was much needed, says Swarts
The public poured in again after the corona closure. Voorlinden has had a great summer, which was much needed, Swarts says. "We have to earn our own money, with the tickets, the shop and the restaurant. So a lockdown like that chops it up. Fortunately, we were also able to take advantage of support schemes." Still, I would like to enquire about the Museum Card, which therefore does not apply at Voorlinden.
'No, nothing is ever sold. You don't get rid of your children either'
Swarts: "I already mentioned it: we are a museum without subsidies. A simple calculation shows that the Museum Card, which has a remittance, would cost us too much money. Fortunately, people are willing to pay for a visit. It is also good that people realise that an experience like the one you have here in Voorlinden costs money."
Favorite work
Voorlinden displays about 100 works on average, but the collection is much larger. "The collection is almost a living organism," Swarts says. "It grows almost every day. We buy intuitively and decide quickly. Van Caldenborgh still collects intensively himself. No, nothing is ever sold. You don't get rid of your children either. We only think about growth. I'm glad you don't ask the standard question - what is your favourite work? - doesn't ask. After all, that changes. It also has to do with moods and emotions. But in the end, every work is equally dear to me."
Caldic Collection
Suzanne Swarts has been associated with the Caldic Collection and Voorlinden for her entire 16-year working life. She once thought of being an artist herself, but chose to study art management in Groningen after the art academy in Maastricht. "My real love turned out to be making exhibitions after all. And with my management background, it was not so strange that, after having been curator of the Caldic Collection for a long time, I started managing the museum. I have an enormous hunger, and primal urge, to discover new art and then share those discoveries with the world. Here in Wassenaar, we have a wonderful stage for that. I can't imagine a finer place."