Visual art in the city hall

Location: City Hall, Spui 10, The Hague

Given the architecture of the new City Hall at Spui, only a limited number of locations within the building were suitable for the application of visual art. Ultimately, works by Marin Kasimir, Fortuyn/O'Brien, and Ben van Os were selected.

Stroom considered it important that the visual art would not present itself as a series of isolated incidents but rather as a coherent form that visually complements the building rather than contending with it. Stroom formulated and presented the proposals to the municipality and the architect Richard Meier. The preference for a contemporary panorama was inspired by the 17th-century panoramic landscape of The Hague by the painter Jan van Goyen in the old council chamber at Groenmarkt.

The theme of representation was also a crucial starting point. A location such as the City Hall is too significant a place not to introduce meaningful art. The City Hall encompasses various tasks and functions that citizens encounter throughout their lives.

As the political and social center of the city, the City Hall reflects all that is relevant in The Hague. Working group member Ronald van Tienhoven made a significant contribution to this concept. In addition to the works displayed in the public areas, paintings and photographs by The Hague artists have been hung in the administrative column on the floors of the mayor and aldermen.