Depot Museum Rotterdam
Colorful nighttime live show
Most people know the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen for its iconic mirrored bowl-like architecture and the art stored within. But what many don’t realize is that the real magic happens outside the depot, especially after sunset.
Every evening, as it gets dark, the plaza in front of the depot transforms into a dreamlike light show thanks to the permanent installation Het Leven Verspillen Aan Jou (Wasting Life on You) by Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist. A glowing 15-meter-high sculpture stands at the center of it all, quietly casting soft, shifting patterns of color and movement across the plaza. These light projections swirl on the ground, dancing between passersby and bouncing off the depot’s mirrored surface, creating a surreal, immersive experience that feels both calming and playful.
I love passing by at night just to stand in the middle of the color, or sit on one of the benches and watch people slowly get pulled into the atmosphere. It’s like an unexpected piece of serenity tucked into the middle of the city, and best of all, it’s free and open to everyone.
So if you’re ever around Museumpark in the evening, take a moment to stop by Depot Boijmans, not to go inside, but to see how art has spilled outside the museum walls and lit up the night.
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