THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) – A striking artistic installation has taken center stage in The Hague: a giant stew pot floating in a small lake in front of the famed Mauritshuis museum, which houses the renowned painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring." This 7-meter (23-foot)-tall pan is a highlight of the monthlong open-air art exhibition titled BlowUp Jubilee, which features an array of 24 inflatable artworks strategically placed throughout the city in various parks, on buildings, and even in a train station.
The BlowUp Jubilee is the brainchild of curator Mary Hessing, who expressed her vision of making art accessible to everyone. She noted, "What I really wanted to do is show the area and show arts to everybody." The initiative aims to bring art to the public while celebrating The Hague's vibrant culture.
The impetus for the BlowUp projects originated in 2021 when the Dutch government initiated a significant renovation of the Binnenhof complex, which encompasses both the Mauritshuis and the Parliament building. During this closure, the city sought to organize art events to engage the public, giving rise to the first BlowUp Art exhibition in 2022, which featured works from six artists placed near the Binnenhof. Each subsequent event added a handful of inflatable artworks to the collection. However, the 2026 jubilee edition marks a culmination of past installations along with the introduction of new pieces.
One of the contributing artists, Eugenie Boon, shared her perspective on the representation of her heritage in her work "Koncha pa dilanti." Hailing from the former Dutch Caribbean colony of Curacao, she sought to depict her culture through scenes of local life, celebrating the island's parties, food, and lifestyle. Her work invites viewers into a vibrant depiction of her community.
Another prominent artist featured in the exhibition is British sculptor Steve Messam, renowned for his large-scale inflatable creations across the globe, including installations in the United Kingdom and China. His current piece, titled "Crested," is an explosion of red spikes mounted atop the entrance of a parking garage situated amid century-old architectural structures on a tree-lined boulevard. Messam explained, "The idea was that this piece would hold its own amongst this wonderful architecture that we see around us," emphasizing the dialogue between contemporary art and historical surroundings.
The BlowUp Jubilee exhibition is set to run until June 21, 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to experience a unique intersection of art, history, and community engagement in one of the Netherlands' most storied cities. The event showcases the strength of creativity and the importance of public art in enriching urban landscapes.
