The exhibition highlights the impact that growth and development had on politics, religion, economy and culture in the 17th century, as well as what this meant for the personal life of a servant, captain or merchant.

Through the use of historical masterpieces and new media the story of the Golden Age is told, making frequent links to the present.

Ancient worlds: OPERA designed the new installation and graphics which offer a fresh view of the Manchester Museum's Ancient Egypt and Archaeology collections. The museum is home to one of the largest and most important collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the United Kingdom. The 450m2 of the highly anticipated, re-designed galleries opened to the public on 26 October 2012, marking the centenary of the original opening in 1912.

Lies Willers speaks at 'Dragende Muren', School of Arts KASK, Ghent, Belgium. The symposium / bookrelease focusses on KASK's extensive research on healing environments for children. Lies will illuminate OPERA's work for the Emma Kinderziekenhuis AMC.

Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar is open again after an extensive renovation based on a master plan written by OPERA Amsterdam. The Museum's collection is considered a gateway to the rich history of Alkmaar and surroundings.

The exhibition Habita(n)t is open at Rabo Kunstzone. The exhibition concentrates on people in their environment. The work drawn from the collections of the Rabo Kunstcollectie and Bouwfonds Kunstcollectie van de Rabo Vastgoedgroep tell a story. Not necessarily a true story, but one that originates out of a fascination of how we co exist and how we fill the space around us. A story that rather than focusing on answers, looks at the questions asked. How do we live together in created spaces? What binds us? How do we look at each other and our environment? What traces do we leave in the landscape? How does the environment influence our society and how do we manipulate our environment?

‘Museum Minutes' opens at the Kunsthal Rotterdam. The exhibition strives to extend the time visitors spend (currently 9 seconds) looking at works of art. The artwork is selected especially for this exhibition from the collection of the Gemeentenmuseum Den Haag. Visitors to the exhibition are challenged to actively view the work while walking on a treadmill or while relaxing in a beach chair. The installation is a conscious alternative to the more standard contemporary art exhibitions organized in serene rooms with white walls and minimal explanation. The effects of the exhibition on visitor's dwell time will be discussed at a symposium at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Frans Bevers is appointed as jury member for the selection of exhibition designers for the redesign of the permanent collection galleries at Pergamon Museum in Berlin. The galleries include The Islamic Art and the Collection of Classical Antiquities.

Kunsthal Rotterdam in cooperation with the Municipal Museum of Den Haag present the exhibition Museum Minutes. The project opening September 29 is the initiative of cultural advisor, Johan Idema and in collaboration with a group of creative types from the design and communication world. The team was invited to take a fresh look at exhibiting modern and contemporary art. Municipal Museum den Haag has put their collection at the disposal of the group for this project.

The exhibition distinguishes itself from others by focusing on the interaction of the public with the artwork rather than on a particular artist or theme. Given the current art climate and waning public support for cultural grants the exhibition seeks to explore new possibilities for looking and experiencing art.

OPERA Amsterdam congratulates the Vrolik Museum with their renewed and fascinating installation of it's collection in the Academic Medical Centre Amsterdam. It was a true pleasure to have had the opportunity to be involved in this project

We are very proud to be invited by Rajesh Kejriwal to participate in the DesignYatra. Established in 2008, Kyoorius DesignYatra is India's first and largest visual communications event and amongst the top 3 annual design events in the world. Kyoorius DesignYatra is a 3-day conference, featuring lectures by prominent speakers, small-group seminars, hands-on workshops, exhibitions and demos.

www.designyatra.com/

OPERA is commissioned by the Fries Museum to design the reinstallation of the permanent exhibition in the new Museum. The museum will open in the course of 2013 in the heart of Leeuwarden.

There is approximately 3.200 m² exhibition space in the new museum designed by Hubert-Jan Henket in association with Bonnema Architects. The museum is made possible by an 18m euro bequest from the architect Abe Bonnema upon is death.

The Museum's collection is extensive and broad: representing archeology, crafts, textiles, as well as the collection of the Resistance Museum and Mata Hari, and contemporary art. Objects from the various collections are central to the new installation with particular emphasis placed on those with special meaning for Friesland.

Period from August/September, at least 3 months.

Requirements:
- students (no graduates)
- who have a good command of Vectorsworks, Photoshop and Indesign
- who are independent and flexible

If you are interested, please send us your cv & portfolio (studio@opera-amsterdam.nl).

Through a unique collaboration with the Chinese authorities, three life-sized terracotta warriors and other unique findings from the tomb Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China, are on view at the Volkenkunde Museum.

The Discobolus (discus thrower) is one of the most famous sculptures from the ancient world.This striking interpretation clothes the athletein the tunic-suit worn by workers and leaders in China under Mao Zedong (leader 1949 - 76)

Last Saturday, the temporary exhibition "Masters of the Mauritshuis" opened in the Gemeente Museum in the Hague. OPERA's approach is a discrete addition to the glorious collection and the majestic spaces of the Berlage building. The design enhances the beauty of the art works and respects the architecture. A carefully chosen colour palette creates a serene atmosphere in which the master pieces can shine in their full glory. The exhibit will be on show until mid 2014 when the artworks move back to their renovated home at the Mauritshuis itself.

These galleries are dedicated to three very important pieces from Korea’s national heritage: the beautiful, golden Silla Crown  ( 5th century ), the stunning Pensive Bodhisattva ( late 6th century ) and the theatrical Buddhist Sculpture gallery. Our goal is to enhance the beauty and importance of these objects while maximizing the visitor’s experience. The galleries will re-open in October 2012.

OPERA is developing an ambitious master plan for the 16th century Laurenskerk in Alkmaar. The church is currently used for events, concerts and symposia. It also attracts visitors eager to enjoy the sheer beauty and serene atmosphere of the historic interior, but desire more information on the history of the church and the city of Alkmaar in general. The master plan will serve as a blueprint for effectively and respectfully addressing the interior- and exhibition design within this multipurpose monumental building.

During the London Olympics, 2012, the British Museum will display the iconic sculpture Discobolus by Myron - considered by many as one of the most recognizable images in the world.

OPERA is invited to design the exhibition, ‘Discobolus for a Modern Age', featuring the contemporary sculpture by Sui Jianguo, that combines the discus thrower with the powerful image of the ‘Mao suit'.

In addition to OPERA’s design for the permanent installation of the Golden Age at the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar opening in November, OPERA is also currently working on two other projects featuring this exciting and remarkable century in the Netherland’s history.

Amsterdam Museum is preparing a temporary exhibit on Amsterdam, the Republic and the World in the 17th Century, scheduled to open in December 2012. Together with the Museum and NTR broadcasting, OPERA has been asked to develop an exhibition interpreting the Golden Age while placing it in context with contemporary Dutch society.

The Mauritshuis in The Hague is relocating their masterpieces for the coming two years while the museum undergoes renovation. OPERA was asked to design their temporary residence at the Gemeente Museum in The Hague. The exhibition will shine new light on all the star objects of this beautiful collection. The exhibit is scheduled to open on 28th April.