New Van Abbemuseum Director Defne Ayas Commits to Being ‘Relevant and Forward-Thinking’
Ayas will take the helm of the Eindhoven museum, replacing long‑time director Charles Esche ahead of the Dutch institution’s 90th birthday. Save to My OculaDefne Ayas will be the new director of historic contemporary art museum Van Abbemuseum in the Netherlands.
As of September, Ayas will take the place of Charles Esche, who steps down after two decades at the helm.
Ayas herself has a 20-year relationship with the museum, with work dating back to 2005 and notable involvement in Double Infinity (2011), the museum’s collaborative exhibition with Chinese artists.
Reflecting on her appointment, Ayas said she would continue the museum’s legacy of iconoclastic approaches to museology as it approached its 90th anniversary next year.
‘I am committed to continuing a practice of prototyping, one that embodies both the innovative spirit of the city and the museum itself, ensuring the institution remains relevant and forward-thinking.’
Currently the curator-at-large at Performa in New York, Ayas brings extensive international experience, from leadership roles at institutions like Kunstinstituut Melly (formerly Witte de With) in Rotterdam to co-curated major biennials including the 13th Gwangju Biennale, 6th Moscow Biennale, and the 11th Baltic Triennial. —[O]
Main image: Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven. Courtesy Van Abbemuseum. Photo: Norbert van Onna.
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