Rotterdam's new museum about migration is also architecturally wow
Rotterdam has a new museum, Fenix, which explores aspects of migration through modern art in an eye-catching building freshly opened by Queen Máxima.
Now open to the public, the museum - the first to be dedicated to the topic, say organizers - features a double spiral staircase made of shiny steel as its spectacular centrepiece.
Fenix wants to tell the story of migration as a journey, said the museum's director, Anne Kremers. "Migration is universal, timeless and, above all, deeply human."
Many of her compatriots are aware that the queen, who was born in Argentina, is also a migrant – she emigrated to the Netherlands over 20 years ago and married then crown prince Willem-Alexander in 2002.
Tornado made of steel
The huge warehouse, which is over 100 years old, was converted by Chinese architect Ma Yansong. The spectacular centrepiece is 'The Tornado,' a winding staircase reminiscent of a slide in a water park.
A whirlwind of steel and wood, it leads from the ground floor to well above the roof, with the city, water and people reflected in the shiny steel.
The museum tells the story of migration across 16,000 square metres with artworks, photos and personal items. Plus it has a labyrinth made of around 2,000 suitcases belonging to emigrants and an old, colourfully painted city bus from New York.
Millions of emigrants
Fenix stands in the centre of the historic port facilities from which millions set sail to the New World, the US and Canada, between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century - including renowned scientist Albert Einstein.
Meanwhile Rotterdam was destroyed by German bombing raids 85 years ago but was rebuilt after the war. It is now one of the main attractions in the Netherlands thanks to its impressive skyline and wealth of modern architecture.
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