After Hours at the Rijksmuseum offers a rare opportunity to experience the iconic museum in a different way. No crowds, no set routes, but a free game of discover, wander and experience. Central this edition are the stories from Ovid's’ Metamorphoses, in which transformation - physical, emotional and spiritual - is the common thread.
One of the highlights of the evening will be the arrival of art historian and author Katy Hessel. With her keen eye and infectious enthusiasm, she sheds new light on classic figures such as Medusa and Daphne. By approaching these stories from a female perspective, she shows how art history is constantly changing. In her second session, she translates those insights into everyday life, with creativity and imagination serving as keys to a richer existence.
Technology also plays a surprising role. In the award-winning VR experience Soulpaint you go on an introspective journey where emotions and bodily sensations are transformed into a digital work of art. It is a contemporary interpretation of metamorphosis, in which inner worlds are made visible.
The musical interpretation, curated by Elias Mazian, lifts the evening to an almost dreamlike dimension. With Marieke McKenna behind the decks, a soundscape is created in which ambient, spiritual jazz and non-Western influences merge. The result is a hypnotic experience in which the line between reality and imagination blurs.
“After Hours shows that art does not stand still - it changes, moves and transforms, just like us.”
Those who want to get started themselves can participate in creative workshops. From sculpting in soap inspired by Pygmalion to drawing a self-portrait like Narcissus - each activity invites reflection and transformation. Meanwhile, the exhibition itself remains the beating heart of the evening, with stories that have continued to inspire artists for centuries.
For those who want to make the evening complete, restaurant RIJKS® opens its doors early for a special 3-course menu. Thus gastronomy and art flow seamlessly together.