THE HAGUE – In the heart of The Hague, a massive stew pot floats serenely on a small lake, capturing the attention of passersby.
This towering 7-meter (23-foot) culinary vessel is part of an expansive outdoor art showcase, strategically placed in front of the renowned Mauritshuis museum, which famously houses the “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Dubbed the BlowUp Jubilee, this exhibition features 24 inflatable masterpieces scattered across the city, adorning parks, buildings, and even a train station in this vibrant Dutch locale.
The visionary behind this project is curator Mary Hessing, who shared her goal with The Associated Press: “My aim was to spotlight the area and make art accessible to everyone.”
Back in 2021, the Dutch government embarked on an extensive renovation of the Binnenhof complex, which not only includes the Mauritshuis but also the Parliament building. This historic landmark, with roots tracing back to the 13th century, was temporarily closed to the public. To maintain cultural engagement during this hiatus, the city initiated a series of art events.
The inaugural BlowUp Art exhibition in 2022 featured creations from six artists, prominently displayed near the Binnenhof. While early editions showcased a select few inflatable pieces, the 2026 jubilee edition has expanded significantly, bringing back all previous installations and introducing fresh new works.
Artist Eugenie Boon, a 21-year-old hailing from the former Dutch Caribbean colony, expressed her artistic vision to AP: “I wanted to depict the essence of Curacao in my piece, highlighting our celebrations, cuisine, and way of life.” Her work, titled Koncha pa dilanti, draws inspiration from a traditional island board game, capturing vibrant scenes from daily life.
British artist Steve Messam is known for his large-scale inflatable works that have been installed in locations in the United Kingdom, China and The Hague. Crested, a mass of red spikes, has been affixed on top of the entrance to a parking garage nestled between 100-year-old buildings on a tree-lined boulevard.
“The idea was that this piece would hold its own amongst this wonderful architecture that we see around us,” he said.
BlowUp Jubilee runs until June 21.
