Report from the VIP opening of Designing 007 in Rotterdam

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2014-10-10

Our friends at James Bond Nederland attended the launch of Designing 007 in Rotterdam, here's their official report in English exclusively published on FSWL.

Today was the day: The press preview of Designing 007: 50 Years of James Bond Style. After being displayed in London (report), Toronto, Shanghai, Melbourne and Moscow - this unique composition of James Bond items is now on display in Rotterdam. During this opening, the press got a taste of what can be seen from Sunday 12th October in the Kunsthal. At the start of the event, the press were briefed about the people who made the exhibition possible including Bond girl Maryam d'Abo and Bond villain Jeroen Krabbé, both from The Living Daylights (1987).

Designing 007 Rotterdam

Neil McConnon, responsible for the exhibition in London, was the first speaker: "I'm surprised that the exhibition has been all over the world before finally coming to the Kunsthal, the perfect place."
The word then went to Meg Simmonds, archivist for EON Productions, responsible for preserving all props at the production company.
Then it was the turn of guest curator Lindy Hemming and Bronwyn Cosgrave, both of whom have been responsible for putting together the exhibition:
"We first made a plan of the various areas. Then we got together with Meg (Simmonds) to see what they have got in the archives. She immediately mentioned lost costumes, especially those from the 1960s. These were purchased by the actors at the time and have since been re-sold amongst collectors. The budgets back then were so tight that as much as possible was sold after filming ended. As a solution, we have recreated those costumes for this exhibition. Only a bottle of Dom Pérignon and a jacket used by Sean Connery is left from the filming of Dr. No."

Designing 007 Rotterdam

During a press tour of the exhibition we spoke to Janet de Goede, curator of Kunsthal: "When I was in the second room of the exhibition in London I knew it would fit in Rotterdam. It was not known at the time that the exhibition would be seen in other countries. Then everyone decided to put everything in motion. Since Kunsthal is literally a hall, we had to plan carefully to make space for the props and costumes." One of Janet's colleagues told us later that he preferred it to be on the ground floor like the current Bond in Motion exhibit in London: "But that would not be consistent with the philosophy of the Kunsthal. Who knows, maybe at a later stage?"

Designing 007 Rotterdam

We also had the opportunity to speak briefly with Jeroen Krabbé: "This exhibit is great! For me it is like walking back on set with all the gadgets and costumes. I especially liked to see that the storyboards from The Living Daylights are now treated as museum pieces while we were working with them 27 years ago. I am proud of James Bond when I see the displays and that I could be here for the opening."

Designing 007 Rotterdam

In comparison with the previous Designing 007 exhibitions around the world, the Rotterdam one features more items from Skyfall (2012). Thanks to the spacious layout of the exhibition it looks much more spacious and everything comes into place. As James Bond enthusiast, as well as a layman, it is a very beautiful exhibition where you can wander into the world of 007 for several hours.

The exhibition in Rotterdam is open from 12th October 2014 to February 8, 2015.

By Anders Frejdh. Copyright © 2014 From Sweden with Love

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Report from the VIP opening of Designing 007 in Rotterdam

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