The Rijksmuseum presents Steve McQueen's monumental video artwork, "Occupied City," offering a deep dive into Amsterdam's experiences during the Second World War. This exhibition features two distinct presentations of the 34-hour film, exploring over 2,000 specific city locations tied to its wartime history. It creates a layered historical narrative, examining how the past continually shapes the present.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Occupied City at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Steve McQueen's extensive video artwork, 'Occupied City,' presents a portrait of Amsterdam by exploring over 2,000 locations tied to its history during the Second World War. The exhibition features two versions of the film: one displayed on a large outdoor screen and another shown with sound and narration in the museum's auditorium.
The Rijksmuseum is presenting 'Occupied City,' a significant video artwork by artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen, which offers a profound exploration of Amsterdam's history during the Second World War. The exhibition features two distinct presentations of the 34-hour film: one projected continuously without sound on the Museumplein façade, showcasing contemporary Amsterdam cityscapes, and another with sound and voiceover in the museum's auditorium. The latter delves into the occupation of Amsterdam between 1940–1945, recounting stories of persecution, collaboration, and resistance linked to over 2,000 specific locations across the city. Based on Bianca Stigter’s book 'Atlas of an Occupied City. Amsterdam 1940–1945,' McQueen and cinematographer Lennert Hillege filmed these scenes between 2020 and 2023, creating a layered historical narrative that examines how the past influences the present. Steve McQueen, an internationally acclaimed artist and director known for works like 'Hunger,' '12 Years a Slave,' and 'Small Axe,' brings his distinctive cinematic vision to this monumental project. The film's presentation on the Museumplein façade serves as an innovative, large-scale public display, accessible to passers-by at any time. The auditorium screenings offer a more intimate encounter with the film's narrative and historical depth, featuring an English voiceover with Dutch subtitles. This exhibition, running from September 12, 2025, to January 25, 2026, is presented in a year of historical significance for Amsterdam, marking 80 years of freedom and the city's 750th anniversary.
The film 'Occupied City' is included with museum entry and is free of charge to view on the Museumplein façade. Screenings with sound in the auditorium also do not require an additional fee and are included in the museum entry ticket. Visitors can book their visit via the provided links.
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Occupied City at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
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