Amsterdam Oersoep

In the heart of Amsterdam, between Damrak and Nieuwendijk, the large-scale retail complex Nowadays was completed in 2015 — one of the most significant inner-city development projects of the decade. Designed to serve as an economic driver for the city center, the location called for an entrance with real presence. The original, outdated passage was transformed into an iconic walkway that — thanks to Mothership — became an unforgettable experience for shoppers.

At the invitation of Bouwinvest, Mothership provided artistic direction for the Beurspassage. What began as a request for a single tile tableau was expanded by Mothership into a Gesamtkunstwerk — a total artwork and immersive experience in which floor, ceiling, and lighting merge into an enchanting underwater world. Drawing inspiration from the rich history of European arcades, a concept was developed that combines classical and contemporary elements — glass mosaics, terrazzo flooring, baroque details, and monumental chandeliers.

For the execution, Mothership selected artists Hans van Bentem and Arno & Iris, known for their work on the Markthal. Under the title Amsterdam Oersoep (“Amsterdam Primordial Soup”), they created an ode to the canal city. The result: chandeliers made from discarded bicycle parts, mosaics depicting the bottom and surface of the canal water, and a bronze fish head from which visitors can tap a bottle of Oersoep. Everything breathes Amsterdam — from Rembrandt’s brush to Van Gogh’s ear — all of which, as legend has it, once disappeared into the city’s waters.

Mothership was the creative driving force behind the entire project. From concept development and artist selection to process management and production coordination — everything came together in this iconic work.

The Beurspassage has grown into a major cultural attraction and now stands alongside the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum on the list of Amsterdam’s most visited cultural destinations.