Exhibition
The Darkroom: Extraordinary stories from the history of Dutch photography
9 Jul 2011 – 31 Dec 2016
Address
- Las Palmas building
- Wilhelminakade 332
- Rotterdam
South Holland - 3072 AR
- Netherlands
The exhibition The Darkroom in the Nederlands Fotomuseum is the first and only permanent presentation in The Netherlands about the history of Dutch photography. Drawing from the museum's rich collection, the exhibition brings over 185 years of Dutch photography to life.
About
Realising plans by the renowned exhibition architects Kossmann.dejong, 250m2 of the museum have been transformed into a darkroom. By placing a paper in a developing tray, just as photographers once did in the darkroom, the visitor activates the narratives, which relate the story of the still comparatively recent history of photography with photographs, films and music. The stories are recorded by photographers, their friends, family members, scholars and well-known Dutch figures like Hans Dorrestijn and Thom Hoffman.
All forms of photography pass in review in The Darkroom: from albums to stereo photos, from autochromes to glass negatives, from daguerreotypes to digital photo files. The stories are complemented by objects like cameras, original and new prints, and unique objects used by the photographers. The visitor discovers how the first photographs were made, follows the romance of Ed van der Elsken in Paris, and goes hunting with the camera. The Darkroom has a total of 22 stories. In the years that the exhibition will be on show, new ‘pearls’ from the museum's treasure house will regularly be added.
Activity book 5 x springen
Children also live in a world that is unimaginable without photography. They are already busy taking photos, and are beginning to learn the outlines of Dutch history. For children from 7 through 12, the activity book 5 x springen has been developed especially to accompany this exhibition (for sale after 24 September, 2011, in the museum shop and online). In it children can 'jump' through the history of photography, based on photographs. Includes photos by Ed van der Elsken, Hannes Wallrafen and others; with activities and tips for at home too.
Education
The Nederlands Fotomuseum offers an educational programme for young and old to accompany The Darkroom, with workshops, guided tours and lectures. Web lessons relating to The Darkroom are to be found on Fotoleren.nl, the free digital educational environment on photography.
Concept Kossmann.dejong, Amsterdam | Nederlands Fotomuseum | Graphic design Kossmann.dejong, Amsterdam | Audiovisual Experiences Tungsten Studio, Amsterdam | AV technical support Phanta Vision, Amsterdam | Voice-overs Flip Bool, Hans Dorrestijn, Thom Hoffman, Anna Martens, Multivoice Audio Buma / Stemra, Shockwavesound, CD Play – Carel van Hees
Special thanks to BankGiro Loterij, Erasmusstichting | SNS REAAL Fonds | Stichting Bevordering van Volkskracht |VSBfonds
