From May 2 to July 4, 2018, the Town Hall of Zandvoort became the exclusive domain of Mart Visser. For two months, the couturier and artist took the reins in the historic Town Hall of the seaside resort and the adjacent Zandvoorts Museum. Niek Meijer, the current mayor, temporarily handed over the symbolic key of the Town Hall to Mart Visser, marking the start of 'Mart Visser – The Take-over'.

Haute Couture
The municipality of Zandvoort granted Mart Visser carte blanche for The Take-over. The classicist-style Town Hall was transformed into an immersive experience where Mart Visser presented his latest Haute Couture collection in a surprising and innovative way. Visitors were offered a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the often unknown world of Haute Couture.

The stately offices of the mayor and aldermen were converted into a spectacular high-fashion setting. For Mart Visser, it was the first time he presented his Haute Couture collection to a broad audience. The Town Hall also featured a concept store with the 2018 summer prêt-à-porter collection, accompanied by a team of stylists offering personal advice.

Artwork
Mart Visser’s creativity is not limited to fashion. Since 2009, he has also been a versatile visual artist. His paintings, sculptures, and installations have previously been shown at international art fairs and museum exhibitions. During May and June, the Zandvoorts Museum was temporarily transformed into a 'Mart Visser Museum', featuring an impressive retrospective with a wide variety of heads and faces.

In 2016, the Zandvoorts Museum hosted an exhibition by Frans Molenaar. Mart Visser continues this legacy, now also taking over the Town Hall. The municipality of Zandvoort envisions a new purpose for the Town Hall: it will become a House of the Community, serving as an incubator for innovative cultural events and activities.

Exhibition: Mart Visser – The Take-over
Location: Town Hall Zandvoort and Zandvoorts Museum