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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A giant stew pot has appeared in a small lake at the center of The Hague. Positioned in front of the prestigious Mauritshuis
museum, which houses the famous painting 'Girl with a Pearl Earring,' this 7-meter (23-foot) tall pan is part of a monthlong, open-air art exhibition called the BlowUp Jubilee, showcasing 24 inflatable artworks throughout the city.
The exhibition, curated by Mary Hessing, aims to connect the local community with the arts. Hessing expressed her vision, stating, “What I really wanted to do is show the area and show arts to everybody,” in an interview with The Associated Press.The initiative follows a significant renovation project initiated by the Dutch government in 2021, which affected the Binnenhof complex, home to both the Mauritshuis and the Parliament building. As this historic site, dating back to the 13th century, was closed to the public, the city sought to organize art events to engage the community.
The inaugural BlowUp Art exhibition took place in 2022, featuring works from six artists displayed near the Binnenhof. Although subsequent exhibitions included a selection of inflatable pieces, the 2026 jubilee edition marks a return of all previous installations along with several new additions.
Artist Eugenie Boon, who hails from the former Dutch Caribbean colony, highlighted her intent with her work, Koncha pa dilanti, which depicts local life and references a board game played on the island. She stated, “For me it was important to show the real Curacao in this artwork, and that is our parties, our food, and our lifestyle.”
Steve Messam, a British artist renowned for his large-scale inflatable works, has installations in various locations, including the UK, China, and The Hague. His piece, Crested, a mass of red spikes, is positioned atop a parking garage entrance nestled between century-old buildings on a tree-lined boulevard. Messam articulated his vision, saying, “The idea was that this piece would hold its own amongst this wonderful architecture that we see around us.”
The BlowUp Jubilee exhibition will continue until June 21, offering visitors an opportunity to experience a unique blend of art and community engagement.
