“What is real is unfamiliar, is about welcoming the unknown”, Vaisberg and Schulten claim. “It is based on a famous poem from Rotterdam that says when everyone comes from somewhere else, everyone is a stranger. We want to embrace the unknown in every way possible and imaginable”. This theme serves as a lens through which the Biennale explores unfamiliar narratives, materials, and processes. “It challenges participants to consider how crafted works mediate between tradition and innovation,” the curators explained, highlighting an essential tension in contemporary design: balancing technological experimentation with respect for cultural and historical context.
Rotterdam already boasts a dynamic museum ecosystem, with institutions such as Nieuwe Instituut, led by the internationally renowned Aric Chen, as well as Boijmans Van Beuningen and Kunsthal. While commercial galleries remain few and far between, spaces such as Vivid and Spazio Viruly are making an impact. When asked if the city’s design scene connects with its architectural identity, their answer is: “They overlap, but not always,” say Vaisberg and Schulten. “People often work in silos, which is why we created the Biennale—to help build connections across disciplines. And it really worked.” We agree.