In an effort to strengthen the ties between two nations, Netherlands Cobra Museum has collaborated with India’s Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum. Located in Amstelveen, Cobra Museum was founded by artists from Copenhagen, Bruxelles and Amsterdam in 1948. This Museum is a link between modern art and contemporary art and is the only museum to have a diverse collection of Cobra art movement. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum located in Mumbai was opened in 1872, which showcases the city’s cultural heritage and history through its rare collection and fine arts.
Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, managing trustee and director, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum said, “We are extremely happy to partner with the Cobra Museum. This is the beginning of exchange of culture between Amsterdam, Amstelveen and Mumbai. This partnership will see exchange of exhibitions, workshops and education programmes for the youth across both the countries.”
With this collaboration Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum will hold the rare record of becoming the first museum in the country to showcase Cobra art work. The collaboration was launched with the unveiling of an artwork by Dutch painter, Karel Appel.
Els Ottenhof, executive director, Cobra Museum of Modern Art said, “We are the first and the only museum which is entirely dedicated to Cobra art. The Cobra art movement started somewhere in the mid 1900’s. We are delighted to partner with Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum as both these museums inspire society and will continue to in the future.”
The collaboration was witnessed by Eberhard Van Der Laan, mayor, Amsterdam; Mirjam Van ‘t Veld, mayor, Amstelveen; Geoffrey Van Leeuwen, consul general, Kingdom of the Netherlands and Frans Van Der Avert, chief executive officer, Amsterdam Marketing. The event also included a performance by musicians of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.