Rotterdam is shown in diverse ways by photographers throughout history. In post war Rotterdam Cas Oorthuys, Henk Jonker and Aart Klein show an orderly, bright and modern city where empty spaces symbolize progress. Photography from the 1960s and 1970s by Carel Blazer and Onno Meeter, offer a new colourful perspective on the city and reflect the social and economic challenges of the time. In the 1980s and 1990s, Jannes Linders and Gilbert Fastenaekens shattered the myth of orderly Rotterdam. They captured industrial estates, vacant buildings and forgotten places allowing the "urban landscape" to flourish as a photographic genre.
See how Rotterdam’s city centre has developed into a place of icons and spectacular architecture.
The striking skyline, the Erasmus Bridge and contemporary high-rises like the Zalmhaven Tower come to mind. Photographers such as Lou Muuse and Janine Schrijver capture the city from unique perspectives – revealing both the aesthetics and the social significance of the urban environment. Their images pose the question: “Who owns the city?” and demonstrate how photography contributes to the collective memory, urban identity and engagement of residents.
Archival gems and special loans
Many vintage photographs are being shown for the first time, including 42 rare stereoscopic images from a private collection. There is also a six-metre-long panorama by Siebe Swart on display, which has never been displayed in Rotterdam. Special loans include photographs from the Dutch Royal Collections, the Rotterdam City Archives and the Maria Austria Institute.
Participating photographers and filmmakers
Hans Aarsman, Freek van Arkel, Johannes Baer, Iwan Baan, Gabriele Basilico, Henri Berssenbrugge, Eva Besnyö, Carel Blazer, Hans Bol, Kim Bouvy, Florian Braakman, Stijn Brakkee, Gaston Braun, Kees de Bruin, Gerrit Burg, Wouter Cool, John Davies, Niek Deuze, Karel Doing, Sanne Donders, Loes van Duijvendijk, Ossip van Duivenbode, François Henri van Dijk, Bernard F. Eilers, Gilbert Fastenaekens, Eric Fecken, Willem Ganter, Fototechnische Dienst van Gemeentewerken Rotterdam, Gebrs. Pieterman, Jacobus van Gorkom jr. & Carl Philip Wollrabe, Hendrik Ferdinand Grimeijer, Johann Georg Hameter, Rob ’t Hart, Frank Hanswijk, Carel van Hees, Walter Herfst, Jacob van der Hoeven, E.A. Hof, Barend Hooykaas jr., Herman van der Horst, A. Jager, Martijn Jaarsveld, Janssens & E. Radermacher, Henk Jonker, Annette Kisling, Rubén Dario Kleimeer, Aart Klein, J. Klein, Gebr. Klumpes, Charlie Koolhaas, Helena van der Kraan, Peter de Krom, Jan Kuipers, Luuk Kramer, Jannes Linders, Cary Markerink, Wies Meertens, Victor Meeussen, Kees Molkenboer, Munnich & Ermerins, Lou Muuse, Jaap d’Oliveira, Cas Oorthuys, Evert van Ojen, Pieter Oosterhuis, Cas van Os, Leen van Oudgaarden, Nirit Peled, Georg Carl Julius Perger, Henry Plaut, Katja Poelwijk, Frans von Pöppinghausen, Bas Princen, Tiemen van der Reijken, Jan Roovers, Frits J. Rotgans, Stacii Samidin, August Sander, Daria Scagliola, Kees Scherer, Gerrit Schilp, Janine Schrijver, Paul Schuitema, Harry Sengers, John Sherrington, Hans Sibbelee, Otto Snoek, Elian Somers, Hans Spies, Sara Lydia Stahl-Van Hoboken, Jan Pieter Strijbos, Edward Susanna, Siebe Swart, J.H.C Vermeulen, Jan Versnel, Jan Vrijhof, Hans Werlemann, Ed van Wijk, Hans Wilschut, Ad Windig, Louis Jacques van de Winkel, Peter Wotke, Steef Zoetmulder, Piet Zwart, Kim Zwarts, and a number of photographers who’s names are unknown.