False Bottoms

An exhibition where nothing was what it seemed

26 May – 28 October 2018 

This exhibition was all about objects in which smugglers past and present hid their contraband. The stories behind the smugglers’ objects ranged from walking across the border for a few dimes to organised crime involving millions. In False Bottoms, illusionist Jochem Nooyen used a touch of magic to take visitors through the objects smugglers used. A cupboard full of tricks was opened, allowing visitors to discover the many dimensions of smuggling.

Dutch Customs had seized all the objects: a hollowed-out Bible in which tobacco was smuggled, a decorative wooden elephant with a secret storage space for smuggling narcotics, a packet of cigarettes in which money was smuggled, shoes made for smuggling, musical instruments and many more unexpected items. For instance, a cargo of footballs intercepted at Schiphol Airport with contraband hidden inside every ball. And how about a pouch with 12 compartments, in which a traveller tried to smuggle hummingbirds under his clothes. The craziest smuggling methods and objects were displayed in this exhibition.