Play it First: Museumnacht010 at Kunstinstituut Melly

Play it First!

Join us at Kunstinstituut Melly for Museumnacht010, an evening of play, music, and exhibitions that bring the entire building to life. In collaboration with House of Knowledge, SPARK, and Radio Tornado, we present a participatory program where live improvisations interact with Melly’s current exhibitions.

Visitors are invited to participate in a live, improvised game developed by SPARK, a Rotterdam-based improv community. Inspired by I Breathe, You Breathe by donna Kukama, this playful activation responds to breath, presence, and collective movement, echoing Kukama’s approach to history as a living, transforming body.

On the ground floor, CLiP #7: Garage School of Prepping Otherwise invites participants to share performative interventions exploring community preparation and care, while a quiet, Low-Sensory space is available in the Auditorium for reflection and rest.

Meanwhile, Radio Tornado curates an inclusive musical program combining live and electronic performances. Live music comes from Ripa na Tulipa, a Rotterdam-based Brazilian bloco band formed by Codarts alumni, complemented by a DJ set from Radio Tornado featuring world music and disco.

Upstairs, House of Knowledge hosts musical improvisations on the third floor, creating a dialogue with Marilyn Nance’s Spirit Faith Grace Rage exhibition.

Program

GROUND FLOOR – Education & Participation Space

20:00 – 21:30 | CLiP #7: Prepping Otherwise

Participants from CLiP #7: The Garage School of Prepping Otherwise present performative interventions exploring urgent social issues and collective forms of prepping and care. Visitors are invited to engage, observe, or reflect on these interactive, community-focused practices.

22:00 – 01:00 | Radio Tornado Live & DJ Set

Radio Tornado curates an inclusive musical program combining live and electronic performances. Live music is performed by Ripa na Tulipa, a Rotterdam-based Brazilian bloco band formed by Codarts alumni, followed by a DJ set exploring world music and disco. The ground floor comes alive with a festive and immersive sound experience.

1ST FLOOR – Auditorium

20:00 – 01:00 | Low-Sensory Space

Throughout the night, a quiet, Low-Sensory space is available for visitors who wish to rest, reflect, or pause from the evening’s lively programming.

2ND FLOOR - I Breathe, You Breathe Exhibition

20:00 – 22:00 | Melly x SPARK – Improvised Storytelling

Visitors are invited to take part in a live, improvised game developed by SPARK, a Rotterdam-based improv community. Inspired by I Breathe, You Breathe by donna Kukama, this activation explores breath, presence, and collective movement, reflecting Kukama’s approach to history as a living and transforming body.

3RD FLOOR – Spirit Faith Grace Rage Exhibition

20:00 – 22:00 | Play it First – Musical Improvisations with House of Knowledge

Together with House of Knowledge, musical improvisations activate the third-floor galleries in dialogue with Marilyn Nance’s Spirit Faith Grace Rage. Local musicians and improvisers respond to the exhibition space and each other, creating a dynamic, immersive, and playful musical experience.

Step into Play it First! and experience an evening where art and music come alive in unexpected and playful ways.

Don’t miss out: get your tickets today!