The Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam

The Fabrique des Lumières is a new digital art centre in Amsterdam. Created by the fantastic Culturespaces team in the Westergasfabriek, an old gas plant in Amsterdam West (map), the Fabrique des Lumières offers visitors a magical, immersive art experience.

My first experience with the work of Culturespaces was less than a year ago. During my Rhône River cruise in southern France, I visited the Carrières de Lumières in an old stone quarry in the Provence. I was truly impressed with the spectacular setting, the stunning images and music choices. So, when I found out that the same team was opening a new sister location in Amsterdam in April 2022, I knew I had to see it!

The Westergasfabriek, with its 17-meter-high walls and large open space, is the perfect location for this immersive exhibition. The hall was already in use for cultural exhibitions but this will now be the permanent home of the Fabrique des Lumières.

Gustav Klimt

The first Fabrique des Lumières exhibition features the vibrant and colourful works of Gustav Klimt and Friedensreich Hundertwasser, two of Austria’s most famous artists. The 45-minute show soon started with uplifting music and moving images. The famous works of Gustav Klimt filled the walls and floor, a vivid burst of colour that was simply enthralling.

The most famous works of Gustav Klimt were from his ‘Golden Phase’. Inspired by the rich, golden mosaics in Ravenna, he used gold leaf to create his intricate, mosaic-like patterns.

Hundertwasser

The Gustav Klimt show lasted about 30 minutes, and was followed by a shorter show featuring the brightly coloured works of Hundertwasser. The Culturespaces team have done an outstanding job to showcase the works of these artists, and pairing the constantly evolving images with music. The audiovisual effect is absolutely mesmerising!

There’s so much to see that it’s hard to know where to look. My suggestion is to pick a few spots throughout the exhibition and stay put for a while in each spot. In the back of the hall is a balcony which provides a panoramic view of the hall but I recommend spending most of your time on the ground floor for a full immersive experience.

Personally, I’m thrilled that Culturespaces chose Amsterdam to open a new centre outside France! It truly is a fantastic addition to the diverse art scene in Amsterdam! Visit the Fabrique des Lumières website for more info. Read more about things to do in Amsterdam.