After hours: Metamorphoses

IN CONVERSATION WITH Katy Hessel

We are honoured to welcome Katy Hessel, the British art historian, curator and bestselling author who has captured hearts worldwide with her mission to give women in art the recognition they deserve. Hessel is known for her popular podcast The Great Women Artists and her groundbreaking book The Story of Art Without Men, and brings a refreshing perspective to art history.

The talk, held in English, consists of two parts. First, we zoom in on iconic figures from Metamorphoses by Ovid, such as Medusa and Daphne: how do their stories change when viewed through a female lens? In the second part, in line with her latest book How to Live an Artful Life, we explore how art can nurture creativity in everyday life. A conversation about how imagination can transform the way you see the world.

VR Experience: Soulpaint

Discover Soulpaint, an award-winning virtual reality experience by Monobanda and Hatsumi. In this interactive journey, you create a unique digital artwork based on your own emotions and physical sensations. Through introspection and the power of art you make your inner reality visible to yourself and others. A modern form of metamorphosis.

MUSIC: ELIAS MAZIAN X MARIEKE MCKENNA

DJ, producer, singer and Private Hearts Radiohost Elias Mazian curates the music for this After Hours, bringing the atmosphere of Ovid to life. For this edition, he hands the decks to Marieke McKenna: philosopher, historian, DJ, and label owner. This evening, Marieke takes you on a journey through a world of transformation and imagination.

Driven by her fascination with lucid dreaming, she creates a soundscape where the line between waking and sleeping blurs. Her style moves effortlessly from spiritual jazz and ambient to non-Western sounds and dreamy textures; a musical journey inviting you to immerse yourself in another dimension.

WORKSHOPS

Find inspiration in the stories from the exhibition. During the Sculpting like Pygmalion workshop, you will learn the basic technique of carving soap to set your own figure free from the material. Or, like Narcissus, look into the mirror and draw a self-portrait. Which sides of yourself do you choose to show, and what do you prefer to leave out?

VISIT THE EXHIBITION

Walk through the exhibition and discover how Ovid’s tales have inspired artists for centuries. Our gallery guides are on hand to share the stories behind the artworks. Prefer wandering with a storyteller by your side? Listen to the audio tour narrated by Stephen Fry.

Early bird dinner at RIJKS®

During After Hours, RIJKS® opens its doors earlier than usual for visitors of After Hours. For this occasion, the restaurant is serving a 3-course menu at a special price of €55 per person.

Reservations are possible between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Tables are available for 1.5 hours, allowing you to enjoy dinner at a relaxed pace and be on time for After Hours. Book your table here.

Met dank aan

This evening is made possible by the VSB fund