Ageless art
graces the Noordam
By Mark Ziegler
Inside Passages
Holland America Line
(This was a sidebar to a main article about the introduction of the ms Noordam to the Holland America fleet.)
A step onto the totally new ms Noordam might feel like a step back in time for many guests, thanks to numerous notable artifacts aboard the ship. Busts of Dutch monarchy. Sculptures of famous composers. Models of 17th-century vessels. Musical instruments from centuries past. Ornate antique lanterns and cabinets.
VFD Interiors, responsible for the interior design of the Noordam, groups the art collection aboard into four main divisions:
• The Royal House of The Netherlands
This 1885 German "Cabinet on Stand" is just one of many antiques on the ms Noordam.
• World of Music
• Various antique objects from the old Noordam
• Various antique objects and modern and contemporary art.
Guests probably will most notice the two main themes -- the Royal House of The Netherlands and the World of Music. According to VFD, the Royal House theme came
about because of sentiment related to current events in The Netherlands. "We're in a
special period over here. The prince who will become king has gotten married, the wife
is beautiful and very popular, and they just had their second daughter. There is a lot of excitement. Also, there are many political changes taking place in Europe."
On the atrium levels, the history of the Dutch monarchy is on display. Prominent kings
and queens are represented in 14 busts. William of Orange, who led the revolt against the Spanish that later brought independence, is depicted in a noble sculpture. These traditional nods to the House of Orange are contrasted by more modernistic treatments elsewhere. Reigning Queen Beatrix appears in two works in the Queen's Lounge: a unique collection of four colorful silkscreens by Andy Warhol and a striking bronze sculpture by Martha Waijop.
Sketches of jazz musicians by Wil van der Laan liven the Crow's Nest.The second main art theme introduces guests to a world of music. Here, again, past contrasts with present. In the main lounge, entertainment will
be conducted amid sculptures of Mozart, a pair of violin chairs and a wall composed of violins. In a different chord, black-and-white photos of jazz icons such as Dizzy Gillespie and B.B. King capture the soul in the Piano Bar, as do colored sketches of jazz artists in the Crow's Nest on Deck 10.
"We had the opportunity to buy two very nice bronze musical chairs and then a couple of other musical pieces," explained VFD. "Slowly, the idea
just grew."
On the Noordam, new is indeed in, but old isn't totally out. A number of items have been brought over from the old Noordam, including intricate antique decorative pieces such as rudder heads (top piece of the rudder), stern carvings and wood reliefs and sculptures. And newly acquired antiques and colorful modern art also will be displayed.