ms Koningsdam to showcase international art collection
One of the most notable features of any Holland America Line ship is the remarkable collection of museum-quality art on board.
The line’s newest vessel, ms Koningsdam, which launched in April 2016, is no exception.
With a collection worth $4.1 million, the ship highlights the talents of leading hospitality designer Adam Tihany, working with art curator ArtLink, and YSA Design to procure a thought-provoking collection of diverse works that complements the ship’s design while stimulating conversation.
The result is a floating art gallery with 1,920 pieces ranging in value from $500 to $600,000 that spans the decks, public rooms and staterooms.
More than 21 nationalities are represented by Koningsdam’s artists, with the greatest number of contributors coming from the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom.
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Koningsdam features artworks in many media, including photography, painting, mixed media, illustration, prints and sculpture.
Much of the art curated aboard is from emerging artists and highlights Koningsdam’s focus on entertainment, showcasing themes of music, dance and movement.
The largest and most expensive work is the stunning Atrium sculpture titled “Harps” that is based on a concept by Adam Tihany, who was at the helm of the ship’s design and is regarded as one of the world’s pre-eminent hospitality designers.
The $600,000 piece is an impressive 7.5-ton stainless steel sculpture that spans three decks.
“Extensive collections of unique and thought-provoking art have always been a hallmark of our elegant on board ambiance, and Koningsdam showcases one of our most exciting and contemporary displays,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.
“Surrounding our guests with a vast array of meaningful artwork is a natural extension of the cruise experience as art awakens your senses, enriches your perspectives, inspires conversation and crosses cultural boundaries, all the same transformative values of travel.”
As he has done for the entire Holland America Line fleet, Stephen Card, a British artist regarded as one of the finest maritime painters working today, created two paintings that are on display in the Captain’s Corner of the Crow’s Nest, forward on Deck 11.