On May 16, 2025, Fenix, the new art museum about migration, will open its doors to the public. Three rejected castings of the sculpture will be displayed on the balcony. Lost Luggage Depot (2001) by Jeff Wall, namely two suitcases and a chest. From this spot you look out on this monument at the Wilhelminakade, where the Holland-America Line was located between 1891 and 1984. Large numbers of emigrants left from here to the United States and Canada, among other places.
Lost Luggage Depot is the first work of art in public space that commemorates the emigration that took place from the Wilhelminakade. The work of art has a direct link with the stories about arrival and departure that are in Fenix are told. By displaying the three rejected castings in the museum, a connection is created between Wall's sculpture and the museum. These objects were previously in storage.
About the artwork
In 1999, the Canadian artist Jeff Wall was commissioned by the municipality of Rotterdam to create a sculpture to commemorate 50 years of reconstruction and 650 years of city rights. Lost Luggage Depot consists of an octagonal three-level scaffolding. Various casts of luggage are located in the scaffolding, including suitcases and bags from different eras. For example, there is a kit bag from a hundred years ago, but also a computer bag from the recent past. The work refers to emigration and the desire for a new future. It is a reminder of those who have left, but also of those who have arrived. Prime Minister Wim Kok unveiled the sculpture on 3 November 2001. The monument is Wall's first and only sculpture and is part of the international sculpture collection Sculpture International Rotterdam.
About the artist
Jeff Wall (Vancouver, 1946) is a photographer, art historian and visual artist. He started his career as a conceptual artist, but subsequently studied art history. After his studies, Wall started taking photographs. He stages his work down to the last detail, or – in his own words – he completely reconstructs a moment. He is best known for his large cibachrome photographs, which he presents in light boxes.