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The Rotterdam Collective Brain

This is the colourful new showcase on the Lijnbaan

Het collectieve brein vitrine 1
Mathilde Simon profiel Rotterdam Centrum
Written by Mathilde Simon
April 7, 2024
Frontrunner

Check out the new showcase on the Lijnbaan 'The Rotterdam Collective Brain'! With the colourful designs by Charlotte van Otterloo and Marianne Lock, this new showcase, near the Footlocker, has once again become a beautiful exhibition.

We talked to Charlotte van Otterloo, a versatile Rotterdam artist, to find out more behind this colourful 'box', which is worth to take a look inside!

The Rotterdam Collective Brain

This time the subject of the new showcase on the Lijnbaan is 'The Rotterdam Collective Brain' and is a collection of entries from the people of Rotterdam.

Charlotte: "If only one brain is made up, what do you think should not be missing from it? What do you find important in life? For example, it could be a piece of knowledge, an insight into life or a feeling."

Through glimpses into the heads of illustrations in the display case, you see short animations based on these life insights. You view this as a rolodex, a kind of flip book that you leaf through.

Source of inspiration

It was not the first time for Charlotte to design a display case on the Lijnbaan. For example, she was the brain behind the display case with the winter illustrations of Rotterdam Centre. But how does she always get her inspiration?

Charlotte: "That is very diverse. I have actually been working with this concept for years and when I was asked for a new free interpretation of the showcase for a year, two things came together. Together with Illustrator 'Mary and the Locks' and animator 'Fabienne Onderwijs' I started to shape the plan, and voilà.."

Compared to the previous showcases, Charlotte thinks this is a striking and colourful addition to the Lijnbaan. "It has become a cheerful display. In addition, the public is now being asked for the first time to contribute to the design themselves."

‘'If one brain had to be composed, what knowledge should it not be missing?'’
#RotterdamCentrum

Share your insights in the showcase

'If one brain had to be composed, what knowledge should it not be missing?'

Do you have a nice answer to this? Then your insight may soon be on display in the display case! Think of a beautiful life lesson, something that gives you something to hold on to or that you want the rest of the world to know... Something that is close to your Rotterdam heart.

"I personally think listening with compassion is important; being open to the needs of others without losing sight of yourself." Shares Charlotte.

Is your insight not put in the display case? Together with the organization of Rotterdam Centre, Charlotte is looking at the possibility of bundling life insights at the end of the year.

We are curious about your input! Submit your insight of a maximum of 1 A4 via hetcollectievebrein@gmail.com, and who knows, your life insight may soon be included here.

Het collectieve brein vitrine 1
Het collectieve brein vitrine 2

De Lijnbaan showcases

The Lijnbaan showcases are not new to Rotterdam Centre. In the 1950s, when the Lijnbaan became a car-free shopping area, there were various showcases with all kinds of beautiful things to entice customers to enter the shops. Over time, the showcases have disappeared from the street scene, but at the initiative of the real estate owners and shopkeepers of the Lijnbaan they are back!

In the three showcases you will find changing exhibitions throughout the year. The next time you shop on the Lijnbaan, don't forget to take a look at these creative glass boxes!

Mathilde Simon profiel Rotterdam Centrum
Written by Mathilde Simon
April 7, 2024
Frontrunner