Chambers of Wonders

Museums are boring? Visit the new incarnation of the Wonderkamers (Chambers of Wonders) at the Kunstmuseum Den Haagand you’ll never say so again! The new interactive displays offer an amazingly fresh and entertaining introduction to fine art, the decorative arts, architecture and fashion. The latest exhibition technology is used to bring the visual arts to life through a computer game that places the individual visitor at centre stage. Director Benno Tempel: 'The Wonderkamers offer a totally different experience compared to a traditional museum. This is a fantastic outing for parents or grandparents with children and an extended learning environment for schools. The Wonderkamers are a challenge to anyone aged 10 and over. The only question is: Are you up for it?'

One of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag's main aims is to interest a wider public in classic modern and contemporary art. A few years ago, it developed the Wonderkamers as part of this outreach effort. The department is specially designed for the 10 to 18 age range and is the only one of its kind in an art museum anywhere in the world. The new, totally transformed Wonderkamers presentation is more interactive than ever before. 

What’s on offer in the Wonderkamers?
The Wonderkamers adventure begins with a film in which director Benno Tempel asks for help with the arranging displays in the Magic Middle, a unique building housing miniature artworks by top Dutch and international artists, all from the collection of Ria & Lex Daniëls. Visitors are then sent off in pairs, electronic tablet in hand, to explore thirteen spectacular display areas addressing a wide range of themes. They discover a wonderful world in which they can turn themselves into haute couture models or learn to dance the Boogie Woogie from no less an expert than the great Mondrian himself.

The Wonderkamers can be enjoyed in many different ways. The whole department is completely bilingual in Dutch and English. Activities can be tailored to the preferences of individual family members or to the varying abilities of school groups. The Wonderkamers provide endless educational fun and a cheap family day out. Admission is free for kids below the age of 19 and even for accompanying parents or grandparents, provided they have Museum Cards. Back home, visitors can go to the Wonderkamers website to see the products of their visit (including their own virtual exhibitions or photos of themselves as fashion mag cover models) and share them via the social media.

Kunstmuseum Den Haag 
Kunstmuseum Den Haag is one of the finest and most diverse museums in the Netherlands. The magnificent Berlage building houses not only the largest Mondriaan collection in the world, but also a permanent exhibition of modern art, an outstanding silver collection, finely decorated Delft Blue, interactive Wonderkamers and countless continuously changing exhibitions. 

Directions to Kunstmuseum Den Haag 
Kunstmuseum Den Haag is located in Statenkwartier nearby Scheveningen beach and is easy to reach by public transport, car and bike. From Den Haag Centraal Railway Station and Hollands Spoor, tram 17 will take you to the museum in approximately 20 minutes. From Station CS you can also take bus 24, which runs between Station Mariahoeve and Kijkduin. 
Kunstmuseum Den Haag can be reached by car via Utrechtsebaan towards Kijkduin. On arrival in the city follow the signs for 'Kunstmuseum Den Haag'. There are plenty of opportunities for free parking. If the car park should be full then paid parking is available in the World Forum parking garage at Churchillplein 10, which is about a 5-minute walk from Kunstmuseum Den Haag.