In Dordrecht, you can’t escape the water. It sets the mood in the harbors and determines the way light falls on the city. Since February 8, this theme has been the focus of the Dordrechts Museum’s exhibition *Water and Light*—a unique combination of J.M.W. Turner’s classical paintings and Nicky Assmann’s modern installations. As you stroll through the city, you might not always notice it, but the “Dordrecht light” has been a well-known concept among artists for centuries. In 1817, for example, Turner came to Dordrecht specifically to capture that light on canvas.
A First for Dordrecht
Thanks to a collaboration with the Yale Center for British Art, you can now see dozens of works by Turner. For the first time in the Netherlands—and right here in our own city: more than 200 years later, his work is finally back where it all began! “Water and Light” brings the past and present together in a way you don’t often see. It’s an encounter between two artists who share the same passion. Upon entering, you’ll walk through a spacious gallery where you’ll encounter various works by Turner.
Where the past and the present meet
Although these paintings are already 200 years old, the stories immediately draw you in. From this classical gallery, you walk through a corridor of light, and there you feel the atmosphere change. It feels as if you’re stepping into a contemporary, almost futuristic era: the world of Nicky Assmann’s light installations. Here you’ll see how two completely different types of art are actually about the same thing: the fascination with water and light that has captivated us for centuries.
The Power of Nature
Turner was an absolute master at painting water and light. His paintings depict everything from gently babbling streams to raging seas in which humans seem small and vulnerable. The painting *Dort, or Dordrecht: The Dort Packet-Boat from Rotterdam Becalmed* perhaps illustrates this best. It’s almost as if you can look right through the canvas and see the city of that time come back to life. Today, the Waterbus still sails there, following nearly the same route. In addition to the paintings, you can also view Turner’s sketchbooks—small glimpses into his creative process.
Experience light and movement
Where Turner shows just how small humans are, Nicky Assmann lets you literally experience that feeling. In her installations, you step right into a world of light, color, and moving materials such as glass and wafer-thin soap bubbles. You walk through it and see the light reflecting everywhere. Assmann stimulates all your senses. You see the light, hear the accompanying music, and even smell the scent of the soap bubbles. The installations flow seamlessly into one another, allowing you to become immersed in an environment full of light and movement. It’s a completely different way of experiencing art—interactive and, as a result, fun and surprising for everyone!
Inspiration for Every Generation
At first glance, these two artists seem to have little in common, but they share the same fascination. Don’t quite see the connection yet? Don’t worry! A short video projected onto a large screen clearly explains the similarities between Turner and Assmann. This brings the art to life even more. “Water and Light” is for everyone. Whether you love traditional painting or modern, interactive art, there’s plenty to discover. The exhibition invites you to look, feel, and marvel. Who will you explore this extraordinary world of water and light with soon?
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