A conversation between artists Filip Gilissen and Harald Ancart addressed the interpretative potential of idyllic images, Q&A sessions with the curators of the exhibition and an engaged audience were organized, and a lively evening with Erik van Lieshout where he talked about his position as an artist and the continuous dialogue he is developing with Rotterdam Zuid through his practice.

While each Melanchotopia location is frequented by its staff members (and as such are engaged in the project), each participating venue is also regularly visited by international groups, individuals and residents of the city of Rotterdam. Additionally, weekly guided tours of the exhibition throughout Rotterdam’s city-center are taking place every Wednesday and Sunday at 3 p.m. by members of the Witte de With team.

Twice a week, every Tuesday and Saturday at 1 p.m., a performance by Saâdane Afif (acted by Andrew Smart) takes place at Rotterdam’s market, which through its repetition becomes closer and closer to a public sculpture. And, every Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m., a performance by Filip Gilissen (acted by Guus Voogt) is held on Binnenwegplein.

Since the ‘inauguration’ of Melanchotopia, Witte de With took into account that the exhibition would evolve and move forward in many unexpected ways, making it a stage for lively encounters in the city.

As such, Dirk Bell’s installation is now on view in the Melanchotopia epicenter (Witte de With, 3^rd floor) next to the work of Jean-Pascal Flavien or a part from the original series of photographs by Lidwien van de Ven meant to be published in De Havenloods.  The Melanchotopia epicenter is also the site of numerous yet to come, events, talks, gatherings, encounters; and a place where you can also enjoy a unique curated selection of publications offered by our temporary Pro qm bookshop.

Please also keep in mind that Melanchotopia goes along with the dynamics of each location, meaning that we also work with the regular opening hours of each venue. Download the Melanchotopia City Map here, complete with details, opening hours for each location.

Nicolaus Schafhausen & Anne-Claire Schmitz.

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3. Octavian Trautmannsdorf – Melanchotopia epicenter

Due to unforeseeable circumstances, Octavian Trautmannsdorf was unable to participate in Melanchotopia.

19. Dirk Bell – Grand Hotel Central

This installation is no longer on show at this location but can still be viewed in the Melanchotopia epicenter.

21. Nasrin Tabatabai & Babak Afrassiabi – Het Schieblock

The installation is no longer on show at this location due to a series of events organized by het Schieblok.

28. Mårten Spångberg – Pathé Schouwburgplein

The performative installation Last of the Mobile Hot Shots is no longer visible inside Pathé as all the objects have been dispersed throughout the city of Rotterdam by visitors, just as the artist imagined they would. You can follow the project on cinema3.org, a blog where the artist addresses modes of image production in cinema. The blog enables a tracing of the poetic history of the work.

29. George van Dam – Rotterdamse Schouwburg

Music for Melanchotopia by George van Dam was performed live at the Rotterdamse Schouwburg on the opening night of Melanchotopia. For the duration of the exhibition, the piece is audible in fragments at the epicenter, through our website and in snippets on the Melanchotopia audio tours.

30. Olivier Foulon – Mauritsplaats

Mauritsplaats is the location of investigation of Foulon’s contribution to Melanchotopia and not the location for the presentation of his work. Foulon’s investigation on Ring by Isa Genzken will take form and be presented through a lecture, a talk or a publication at a later stage of the exhibition. More details to follow.

35. Filip Gilissen – Binnenwegplein

On the night of the opening, the event “It’s all downhill from here on” featured a light sculpture lifted into the skyline of Rotterdam, and remained from sunset till sunrise. Gilissen’s work continues to infiltrate the city with a performance every Friday evening from 7 to 9 pm on Binnenwegplein. Performer Guus Voogt hands out souvenirs, from keychains to pens and postcards, inspired by the earlier event.

Stay tuned and follow all of Melanchotopia’s developments via our website or through our e-mail newsletter.