Museum Voorlinden is a new museum, by Dutch standards, having opened in 2016. It’s a a wonderful modern pavilion purpose built as a home for art, it’s surrounded by a garden designed to have flowers in three seasons and be interesting in all four seasons. The collection is modern and has at its base the private collection of Mr. van Caldenborgh.
The exhibition space is light an airy, with a specifically designed ceiling so that the gallery space is bathed in light. There were three exhibitions on view. The first is called “Less is More“, a sort of play on art meeting minimalism. Some of the pieces focused on impermanence, some on humans vs their environment and some explored the materials such as Trans-for-men (my favourite piece in the exhibition). This exhibition is on until January 2020 – so you have time!
Bowls of Pearls, 2006, Ai Weiwei 
Membrane, 1986, Anthony Gormley 
Self-Portrait, 1984, Tony Craggs 
Trans-For-Men 8 (Fibonacci), Alicja Kwade 
Plastic Tree, 2014, Pascale Marthine Tayou
The second exhibition I saw was a joy, an exploration of fabric and architecture. Do Ho Suh, a Korean artist, is fascinated with space and each piece is infused with colour.
A corridor of real spaces where Do Ho Suh has lived 
You can walk through the spaces, which are all to scale 
Each space is incredibly detailed 
Staircase-III, 2003, stairs you cannot step on! 
With thread on cotton paper, Do Ho Suh explores home and migration themes
And finally, the exhibition I was most curious to see, I’ve wanted to see Yayoi Kusama’s work for ages. Her power with colour and shape, her ability to visualise in any medium is so impressive. She’s been copied and underestimated forever, and it’s relatively recently – thanks Instagram! – that’s she’s started to have the sort of universal recognition her genius deserves. I was not less impressed for having seen so many images of her work.
Pumpkin, 2009, yes the pumpkin really is more than 2 metres tall 
Infinity Mirror Room: Gleaming Lights of the Souls, 2008 
Dots, 1999 
Narcissus Garden 1966/2010
I’ve wanted to see Yayoi Kusama’s work for years, so when I saw there was an exhibition on at Museum Voorlinden i rushed off to see it, I was a bit slow noticing so ended up going in the last week. The two other exhibitions I saw are still on, but hurry for Do Ho Suh, it ends on until 29 September.
How To Visit
Address
Voorlinden museum & gardens
Buurtweg 90
2244 AG Wassenaar
The Netherlands
Getting There
isn’t easy!
I cycled from the centre of the Hague which took about 25 minutes, the only public transport option is bus 43 or 44, to the Wittenburgerweg Wassenaar stop, but there’s a 20 minute walk from there to the museum.
Ticket Prices
Adults € 17.50
13-18 year-olds € 8.50
under 12 free
NOTE: Museumjaarkaart is not valid
Opening Times
11 am to 5 pm
I recommend buying your ticket online before your visit.
I am not a tourist 
That entrance is indeed unusual!