From pavement astronomy to a silent disco among trees: experience Museum Night with a UvA twist
Dancing beneath the leaves of the king nut tree at the Hortus, or spotting celestial bodies at the Allard Pierson? There is plenty to do at this year’s Museum Night on Saturday November 7, with several museums affiliated with the UvA also opening their doors.
Not heading to the Stedelijk, Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum for Museum Night this year? Those who have had their fill of these usual suspects can turn to one of the many other cultural institutions keeping their doors open on Saturday evening. Four of them also happen to have a connection to the UvA.
Allard Pierson
Visitors to the Allard Pierson can look forward to a creative night. Using materials from the museum’s collection, visitors can cut and paste their way to their own little work of art, while the century-old sculptures in the plaster cast gallery can be sketched. But the most exciting activity of the evening? That accolade arguably goes to pavement astronomy. Astronomers from the UvA’s Anton Pannekoek Institute have made their telescopes available, allowing visitors to spend the evening outside the museum looking out for Mars and Venus.
Fans of classical mythology can also find plenty to enjoy at the Allard Pierson. Storytellers from the cultural centre Mezrab will take the audience on an exciting journey through Greek tragedies, mythical heroes and, of course, the many gods of antiquity.
Museum Vrolik
There is also plenty of room for creativity at Museum Vrolik. Artist and former UvA lecturer Marisa Stoffers, for example, will be hosting an anatomical drawing workshop, in which visitors can take inspiration from one of the many objects in the anatomical collection of the museum, located at Amsterdam UMC.
The museum, named after the controversial father and son Gerardus and Willem Vrolik, who assembled the collection, has been considering a possible name change for some time. Part of the collection has colonial origins and was used by the Vroliks for racial research. A thought-provoking guided tour exploring the history of medicine and the way doctors used to view the human body is therefore also on Saturday’s programme.
Hortus Botanicus
Although the Hortus has not officially been part of the university since 1990, its ties with the UvA have remained strong. Biology students, for instance, can still visit the botanical garden free of charge. During Museum Night, the Hortus is also clearly catering to students who enjoy a good party. Visitors can follow a botanical cocktail trail, with the aromas of the plants they encounter along the way making their way into the drinks served at the bar.
But the silent tree disco also promises to be quite exciting. Dancing among the trees, leaves and flowers, visitors will almost feel as though they are partying in the middle of a jungle. Headphones included, of course.
Artis
Those who still have not had enough dancing can head to Artis. At Micropia, the zoo’s science museum, microscopic creatures will be moving to the beat of the music on metre-wide screens well into the night. DJ and choreographer Feadan, who also regularly teaches dance classes at Crea, will take the audience on a unique tango with the invisible world of life. Another highlight is the fully renovated Artis Aquarium, which recently reopened and will be welcoming visitors for a special night-time visit. UvA alumnus Alex Huiberse played a major role in its renovation.
