Academie Minerva pays tribute to Bas Jan Ader

Fifty years ago, artist Bas Jan Ader (1942-1975), originally from Winschoten, Groningen, disappeared on the Atlantic Ocean during a sailing trip. His journey from America to Europe was meant to be the middle part of a triptych entitled In Search of the Miraculous. The third part was to be presented at the old Groninger Museum (now Academie Minerva) on Praediniussingel, but he never arrived. This autumn, his legacy returns to the same place.

Several institutions, including Acadmie Mienrva, are organising a series of activities in tribute. Based on the theme of “falling and failing”, central concepts in Ader's oeuvre, artists and students will create new work. During this year, Academie Minerva is paying special attention to this theme both in its curriculum and in a public programme.

Expected in August and September

• 14-18 August: performance installation at Noorderzon in collaboration with Stichting Gedeelde Verhalen. 
• 19 September 14:00: opening programme exhibition Fall: Five Fails at 5 locations: Koepelzaal Academie Minerva, Kunstruime Block C, ARTisBOOK, Pictura and SIGN. 
• 19-29 September: exhibition Fall-Fail in Academie Minerva's Koepelzaal by eleven students of Autonomous Visual Arts. 
• 19-29 September: exhibition Fall: Five Fails at Academie Minerva, Kunstruimte Block C, ARTisBOOK, Pictura and SIGN.

The full programme will be announced in September. Keep an eye on this page and our social media channels.

The Fall 2025: Bas Jan Ader Revisited

This is a part of The Fall 2025: Bas Jan Ader Revisited - a collective tribute by art institutions in Groningen to pay homage to artist Bas Jan Ader (1942-1975). In exhibitions, performances and public activities, artists and students explore the themes of fall and failure, central to his work.
Collaboration with Academie Minerva, ARTisBOOK, Kunstruimte Block C, Groninger Museum, Pictura, SIGN and Stichting Gedeelde Verhalen.