WEST Grand Opening 2026
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On Saturday, February 28, 2026, West Den Haag will open the new season with the festive GRAND OPENING 2026. During this evening, the organization will celebrate its 7th anniversary at its unique location on Lange Voorhout.
Visitors can expect a varied program featuring new exhibitions, film screenings, live performances, and an international music program curated by Alex Andropoulos.
Several names have already been announced, including Kathy Acker, Diana Blok, Cevdet Erek, Özkan Gölpınar, Leonor Jonker, Saiah Lopaz, Mariam Rezaei, Sai Rodrigues, and Beldan Sezen.
Programme
1. CEVDET EREK: ꜴGROTESQUE ACCIDENT
Solo exhibition by internationally renowned artist Cevdet Erek, who transforms the West building, the former American embassy building, into an experience of rhythm, movement and architecture. For this unique location, Erek developed a special synthesiser that converts the 24 rooms into a life-size sound work. Erek is a renowned artist whose work has been shown at some of the most prestigious international venues, including the Venice Biennale (2017), dOCUMENTA (2012) and Manifesta (2024).
2. BLOOD, GUTS, AND ANARCHY: THE WORK OF KATHY ACKER
For the first time in the Netherlands: an exhibition on the experimental and radical work of avant-garde writer Kathy Acker (1947–1997). Themes such as gender, identity, the body and insatiable desire take centre stage, while Acker challenged the literary canon with plagiarism, transgression and cut-up techniques. Her work invites reflection on feminism and freedom, especially now in 2026.
3. THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING, SO SOON, TURKEY SAVED MY LIFE: GROEPSTENTOONSTELLING
Presentation on the enduring relevance of writer and activist James Baldwin. His sharp insight into race, sexuality and identity inspires contemporary artists to explore themes such as exile, queerness and resistance. Featuring work by Diana Blok, Beldan Sezen, Sai Rodrigues, Özkan Gölpınar and Isaiah Lopaz.
