Openluchtmuseum van de Trippin' Tuna bij Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort op Bonaire.

Trippin’ Tuna

The Traveling Artist: The Adventure of the Trippin’ Tuna.

The Trippin’ Tuna is an impressive traveling artwork, made of steel and measuring 4.5 meters in length. It is a creation by visual artist Fred Ros, who took his special art project on a unique journey through the Netherlands and beyond in 2023.

In May 2023, the Trippin’ Tuna embarked on an adventurous journey through the Netherlands, both over land and sea. The artwork visited iconic locations along the way, such as Leeuwarden, Harlingen, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Den Helder and even the island of Terschelling, where it was literally launched and “captured” again.

Ter water lating en daarna weer gevangen Trippin' Tuna bij Terschelling
Te water gelaten en opnieuw opgevangen Trippin' Tuna bij Terschelling.

After a spectacular journey through the Netherlands, the Trippin’ Tuna was picked up in Hoek van Holland and taken by tugboat to the inner harbour of Rotterdam. Here the artwork found a temporary home at the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, where it attracted a lot of attention.

Art & culinary world.

The Trippin’ Tuna then became a source of inspiration for a series of photo shoots with some of the best chefs in the Netherlands. They posed with the artwork in their own restaurants, including the renowned restaurant De Librije in Zwolle.
After that, the Tuna shone at the hospitality trade fair in Rotterdam.
During this entire period, people were asked to take photos of the Tuna on the road and share them on social media.

De Trippin’ Tuna werd een inspiratiebron voor een reeks fotoshoots met enkele van de beste chef-koks van Nederland. In hun eigen restaurants poseerden zij samen met het kunstwerk
De Trippin’ Tuna als inspiratiebron voor fotoshoots met Nederlandse topchefs, poserend met het kunstwerk in hun restaurants.
De Trippin’ Tuna als inspiratiebron voor fotoshoots met Nederlandse topchefs, poserend met het kunstwerk in hun restaurants.
De Trippin’ Tuna als inspiratiebron voor fotoshoots met Nederlandse topchefs, poserend met het kunstwerk in hun restaurants.

On the way to Bonaire.

In October 2023, the Trippin’ Tuna was sent out to the North Sea by ship from Rotterdam, a symbolic start of her journey to Bonaire. The artist dreamed that his artwork would become an icon for Bonaire: the most famous underwater monument.

In December 2023, the Trippin’ Tuna arrived on sunny Bonaire, where it was initially displayed at the Van den Tweel supermarket.

After this introductory period, the Tuna found a new home underwater, at various locations around Bonaire. Here she slowly became one with nature. The steel of the Tuna changed, while the underwater world covered her with sponges, tunicates and coral polyps. Fred Ros encouraged snorkelers, divers and swimmers to film and photograph the artwork as they saw it underwater.

Het reizende kunstwerk Trippin' Tuna geplaatst in de zee bij Bonaire.

The traveling rest.

From April 2024, the Trippin’ Tuna could be admired temporarily in the check-in hall of Flamingo Airport on Bonaire. Here she became part of the travel experience of visitors and departing travelers. If you looked closely, you could see why the Tuna deserved this rest: her journey had already taken her far.

Het reizende kunstwerk Trippin' Tuna tentoongesteld op Flamingo Airport, Bonaire.

A new generation.

In September 2024, something special happened: the Trippin’ Tuna “gave birth” to ten small tunas at the Fundashon Maridal hospital, each one a unique work of art. These small tunas were put up for sale, offering art lovers a chance to bring a piece of the adventure into their homes.

De Trippin' Tuna, 'bevallen' van 10 kleine tuna-kunstwerken in het Fundashon Mariadal ziekenhuis op Bonaire
Collaboration and new adventures.

In November 2024, Fred Ros approached me with the question if I wanted to help him with the organization, marketing and PR of this special art project. I said “yes” wholeheartedly.

The Trippin’ Tuna was then picked up at the Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort, where it was temporarily on display as part of a kind of open-air museum.

Openluchtmuseum van de Trippin' Tuna bij Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort op Bonaire.
Openluchtmuseum van de Trippin' Tuna bij Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort op Bonaire.

From there she was transported to the highest swimming pool in Bonaire, at the home of family doctor Schräder in Rincon. Here, with the help of two divers who ensured the right buoyancy, the Tuna was given a spectacular spot with a view over Rincon.

De Trippin' Tuna, vervoerd naar het hoogste zwembad van Bonaire bij de woning van huisarts Schräder in Rincon, met uitzicht over Rincon, geholpen door twee duikers voor het juiste drijfvermogen
De Trippin' Tuna, vervoerd naar het hoogste zwembad van Bonaire bij de woning van huisarts Schräder in Rincon, met uitzicht over Rincon, geholpen door twee duikers voor het juiste drijfvermogen

After a few days of enjoying the breathtaking view, the Trippin’ Tuna continued her journey. The artwork can now be admired at restaurant Maçaroca, where a museum has been set up entirely dedicated to the Trippin’ Tuna art project. Here you can learn all about her special journey and transformation

De reis van de Trippin' Tuna, is te bewonderen bij restaurant Maçaroca, waar een museum is ingericht dat volledig gewijd is aan het Trippin' Tuna-kunstproject en haar bijzondere reis en transformatie.

Follow the journey of the Trippin’ Tuna and learn more about visual artist Fred Ros.

The Trippin’ Tuna is not just a work of art; it is a symbol of travel, transformation and connection. The art project brings people together, both above and below the water, and shows how art can meet nature. Are you curious about its next destination?

Keep following the adventure: Trippin’ Tuna, icon of Bonaire