Giant Inflatable Art Is Taking Over the Hague

There is a giant stew pot in a small lake in the center of the Hague. Floating in the water in front of the prestigious Mauritshuis museum, home to the "Girl with a Pearl Earring," the 23-foot-tall pan is part of monthlong, open-air art exhibition. The BlowUp Jubilee features 24 inflatable artworks installed in parks, on buildings, and even in a train station in the Dutch city. The project is the brainchild of curator Mary Hessing. "What I really wanted to do is show the area and show arts to everybody," she told the AP.

In 2021, the Dutch government began a massive renovation project on the Binnenhof complex, which includes the Mauritshuis as well as the Parliament building. The historic site, which dates to the 13th century, was closed to the public and the city wanted to organize art events while it was inaccessible. The first BlowUp Art exhibition in 2022 included works from six artists, installed near the Binnenhof. Subsequent events also showcased a handful of inflatable works, but for the 2026 jubilee edition, all of the previous installations have returned, plus new ones have been added.

"For me it was important to show the real Curacao in this artwork, and that is our parties, our food, and our lifestyle," artist Eugenie Boon told the AP. The 21-year-old is from the former Dutch Caribbean colony and her work, Koncha pa dilanti, referring to a board game played on the island, features scenes from local life. British artist Steve Messam is known for his large-scale inflatable works that have been installed in locations in the United Kingdom, China, and the Hague. Crested, a mass of red spikes, has been affixed to the top of the entrance to a parking garage nestled between 100-year-old buildings on a tree-lined boulevard. "The idea was that this piece would hold its own amongst this wonderful architecture that we see around us," he said. BlowUp Jubilee runs until June 21.