Hans Op de Beeck (not on show anymore)

what was there to see?

A fiction film without dialogue and an exhibition with an illuminating ship model, real-life sculptures, showcases and furniture.

for whom was this exhibition?

This exhibition is suited for lovers of contemporary art, photography and design.

until when was this exhibition to be seen?

The exhibition can be visited until 16 June 2019.

where in the museum is the exhibition?

You will find the exhibition Sea of Tranquility by Hans op de Beeck in the northern wing of the National Maritime Museum.

‘The National Maritime Museum invited Op de Beeck because it expected visual artists to offer different, independent perspectives of shipping. With his ghastly bleak Tranquility Op de Beeck succeeds excellently. Not an advertisement for holiday cruises, but a really poignant experience’ – The exhibition was awarded 4 stars in the NRC newspaper.

Hans Op de Beeck Amsterdam

For Sea of Tranquility, Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck was inspired by the shipyards of Saint Nazaire. Here, the largest cruise ships of the world are produced. Now, the mysterious exhibition ‘Sea of Tranquility’ can be visited until 16 June 2019 in the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. The exhibition was previously shown in Belgium, France, Switzerland and Spain, and received favourable reviews.

‘Hans Op de Beeck is well-known around the world for his captivating installations, immersing visitors in a romantic yet eerie atmosphere.’ (Le Monde newspaper, France)

‘This is set to be the most entrancing five-star exhibition of the spring, possibly even the whole year.’ (De Huisarts, medical newspaper, Belgium) 

Sea of Tranquillity

The exhibition ‘Sea of Tranquility’ is a total experience! This extraordinary exhibition by Hans Op de Beeck consists of a fiction film without dialogue and an illuminating ship model, real-life sculptures, showcases and furniture. The film takes the viewer on a futurist cruise. The installation creates a dark and enigmatic image of a mythical cruise ship. Both the film and the exhibition sow a future vision that evokes both admiration and disgust.

the future of society?

Sea of Tranquility is a vision of the future of cruise liners and the world around them. Sea of Tranquility is an imaginary cruise ship and shows a reflection of society. On board of the decadent and luxurious ship, passengers indulge in massages in the spa, killing time with the consumption of molecular meals, suing escort services or undergoing plastic surgery. The passengers can even opt for a customized funeral service on board of the ship. Behind the scenes, the crew and service staff work invisibly according to a strict hierarchy, to meet all their needs.

Hans Op de Beeck

The internationally renowned Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck preferably works with various artistic expressions, his works including larger installations, sculptures, films, drawings, paintings and photos. For the exhibition ‘Sea of Tranquility’ he even composed music. His work is often a reflection of our complex society and universal subjects associated with it, such as meaning and mortality. Hans Op de Beeck exhibits regularly in museums and at large international art events.