Tropical Surprise

Tropical Surprise by Arno Coenen is a vibrant mosaic project that perfectly complements the lively Crooswijk district in Rotterdam. The artwork adorns both walls of a pedestrian tunnel on Frederikstraat. Coenen drew inspiration from the playful graphics of 1980s arcade machines and pinball games.

The result is a dazzling ceramic tile mosaic — each tile measuring 5×5 cm — that serves not only as a nod to retro gaming culture but also as a colorful tribute to the multicultural character of the neighborhood. The scale is impressive: two walls, each measuring 12.5 by 2.7 meters.

The commission came from the housing association Havensteder, with Mothership acting as concept developer, curator, and producer.