Exhibition De Nacht Wacht (The Night Waits / The Night Watch)
The night doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. Some sleep in a warm, safe home. Others live on the streets, fleeing danger. In the exhibition ‘De Nacht Wacht’, a diverse group of Eindhoven residents respond to the question: What happens when the night keeps watch? Together, they created seven contemporary silhouettes inspired by Rembrandt’s famous Night Watch. The exhibition was festively opened on 24 March 2023 at the Van Abbemuseum, then shown all summer at CKE, before travelling on to various other locations across the city.
Contemporary silhouettes of de Nachtwacht
In the special exhibition ‘De Nacht Wacht’, people from all walks of life portray themselves in a new interpretation of this iconic painting. In doing so, they capture a new image of our present-day spirit – just as Rembrandt once did with his Night Watch. This exhibition was created by people experiencing homelessness from NEOS and Springplank 040, residents of Lunet and GGzE De Boei-Kunst, Ukrainian refugees, and children – all guided by art educators from CKE.
A unique collaboration
The project was a collaboration between HK1 (a part of NEOS), Van Abbemuseum and CKE – each contributing their own strengths and expertise. Other partners and residents of Eindhoven were also invited to take part, helping to shape a richly diverse version of De Nachtwacht.
Discovering hidden talents
Participants worked with fabric, paint, chalk, and batik techniques. There were also spoken word and theatre workshops for those interested. Stimulating creativity provided a valuable outlet, sparking joy, personal growth, and the discovery of individual talents. This project offered a platform to showcase those talents – while also helping to break down stigma.
Looking back on the Van Abbemuseum opening
‘De Nacht Wacht’ opened with a festive event at Van Abbemuseum on Friday 24 March. The evening featured performances by participants, live music, and a photo reportage. Curious to see more? Take a look at the photo highlights, with images by Roberto Bogers and Bob Alisic. The exhibition was open to the public from 24 March to 10 April 2023, free of charge at the Van Abbemuseum – before moving to CKE, where the artworks remained on display all summer.
Any questions?
