Lezing Kunst van de Wederopbouw

Rotterdam is bursting with reconstruction art, once intended to commemorate and beautify the cityscape and buildings after the bombing in 1940. The new Reconstruction Museum, developed by Platform Wederbouw Rotterdam, makes the reconstruction artworks digitally accessible to everyone.

After the dramatic bombing on 14 May 1940, Rotterdam had to rebuild the city. An unprecedented number of buildings and works of art saw the light of day in the period 1940-1970. The city had more than 670 works of art! On the street or on facades, but just as often in buildings. This (mostly) unknown reconstruction art was intended to commemorate and beautify the cityscape.

The cultural legacy of the reconstruction artists is enormous. The entire city is full of works of art on, next to, on and in buildings. Sometimes prominently in view: well maintained and restored to their former glory. But often also somewhat hidden, moved, in poor condition or even demolished.