In Kunstmuseum Den Haag, the exhibition New New Babylon: Visions for Another Tomorrow can be seen until 31 August 2025. In it, visual artists, designers, thinkers, collectives and activists from all over the world share their perspectives. Imagining the future means looking beyond the horizon. Where are we now and where do we want to be?
Starting point is the visionary project New Babylon (1956-1974) by Constant, a key work in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag collection. In this project, Constant sketched a society for optimum creativity and freedom to play. Based on the concept of homo ludens, according to Constant, man would be able to move freely in a utopian world without the burden of work, war and possessions. In the exhibition, contemporary artists continue Constant’s quest, and the visitor is guided along dozens of monumental works and different worlds.
With a public programme as an integral part of the exhibition, the museum seeks to connect with the city, politics and science.
Constant, Klein Labyr, 1959
Metal, plexiglass, wood, oil paint, 70 x 35 x 56 cm
‘New New Babylon’ features works by Afra Eisma, Ambassade van de Noordzee, Carlijn Kingma, Davide Allieri, David Jablonowski, Edwin Zwakman, Emma Talbot, Frank Ammerlaan, Gayil Nalls, Harrison Pearce, Hella Jongerius, Jonas Staal, Joshua Serafin, Kinke Kooi, Moshekwa Langa, Oscar Murillo, Pelumi Adejumo, Randa Mirza, Sadik Kwaish Alfraji, Sally von Rosen, Sam Samiee, Steffani Jemison, Tai Shani, The Otolith Group, Werker Collective and Yamuna Forzani & Céline Hurka.
New Babylon on permanent display
In addition to the temporary exhibition ‘New New Babylon’, Kunstmuseum Den Haag has set up a permanent room with a selection of the finest architectural models and paintings from Constant’s New Babylon project. It is a logical continuation of the major retrospective exhibition New Babylon: Aan Ons de Vrijheid, which was organised in close collaboration with the Constant Foundation and could be seen in Madrid in 2015 and in The Hague in 2016. The new display also includes the two dioramas that the museum recently acquired.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag’s New Babylon collection includes 19 architectural models, 72 drawings, 48 prints and four paintings. In addition, the museum also has a wide selection of works by Constant from the period before and after New Babylon.
Impression of the setup of Constant’s New Babylon in Kunstmuseum Den Haag
photo Kunstmuseum Den Haag | A.M. Minnaard
Also on display at Kunstmuseum Den Haag
The exhibition Grand Dessert – The History of the Dessert, with Dutch author and TV personality Janny van der Heijden as guest curator, will continue until 26 October 2025. This exhibition focuses on the history of the dessert in Europe. Using cookbooks, baking tins, tableware, paintings and much more, visitors will dive into the world of the dessert. Art historical objects related to the dessert alternate with creative expressions by contemporary makers.
Top pieces
And of course there is the permanent collection, with a selection of top pieces, including the Mondrians. An entire wing is dedicated to Mondrian and De Stijl, where visitors can learn all about Piet Mondrian’s special path to abstraction and the innovative power of De Stijl. Not only works by founder Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian can be seen, but also works by Bart van der Leck, J.J.P. Oud, Gerrit Rietveld, Vilmos Huszár and others.
Information
Kunstmuseum Den Haag is housed in a yellow brick building designed by H.P. Berlage in 1935.
Address: Stadhouderslaan 41, The Hague
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 (closed on Mondays, except on Easter Monday and Whit Monday)
T +31703381111
E info@kunstmuseum.nl
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