I present here a small selection from my on-going photographic project about the Port(s) of Rotterdam that tries to describe the diversity of conditions and scales, and to captivate the functional and unintended beauty of some of those hyper-industrial spaces.
The choice of black and white photography was a natural choice to give coherence and some uniformity in such diversified context.
Some of the above mentioned aspects are described and presented through details that focus the attention on relevant topics like water pollution, biodiversity, environmental implications. In other, industrial details cranes and other structures can become abstract compositions.
The industrial structures found within the Port have a strong presence even within the city center. Somehow they can be seen as site specific installations that punctuate and define the skyline of Rotterdam and the other territories touched by the port, where architecture, landscape and industrial infrastructure merge.
Another example of that idea is “The poetic of oil tanks”, in the cozy port of Vlaardingen just waiting for gentrification. These structure, portrayed from a certain angle and with a certain light, became outstanding contemporary architecture that can easily compete with those the city center of Rotterdam.
The photographic essay is opened by a map that serves as a cover and visually explains my personal trajectories trough the Port. It is realized with GPS points that I was taken every time I was stopping to portrait some aspects that have captivated me.
The images are presenting very “dry” and “technical” captions with the aim of giving specific information about naming and geographical location, while leaving space to personal imagination for who’s seeing them. I make this choice because it is a very personal project, a sort of industrial meditative journey that implies an extensive amount of hours and thoughts.
For my background in spatial research and design, I believe it is very important to give precise information about geographical locations giving some tools for everyone interested in discovering this complex entity called “Port of Rotterdam”.
I strongly believe that several location within the Port are exceptional attraction, well known by locals, but still unknown from a touristic point of view. Rotterdam and the other municipalities that host and are crossed by the port could embody even more this identity of Port-territory and unfold this potential of industrial tourism.
Cranes in Charlois Doklaan, Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2017).
Wiltonhaven, view from the south bank of Neue Maas, Vijfsluizen – Schiedam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2017).
Vopak Terminal in Vlaardingen, Vlaardigen. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2018).
Container deposit, cable reels and ship repair at Eemhaven, Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2018).
Landtong and Calandkanaal. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2018).
Sliksloothavem at Stormpolder, Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2019).
Wind Farm Installation Vessel at Waalhaven, Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2018).
The Iconic “Mammoet” HD at Wiltonhaven, Schiedam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2018).
Rotterdam center skyline from Waalhaven, Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2019).
Shipyard in Marineweg, Alblasserdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2019).
Docking in the center of Rotterdam, Parkkade – Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2019).
Water taxi pier ramp in the Maas. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2019).
Linear Windfarm at Langtong. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2020).
Water pollution at the Port of Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2020).
Cycling under the maas, Benelux Tunnel, Schiedam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2018).
Continental juice terminal, Ljsselhaven, Rotterdam. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2020).
Oil terminal, Vlaardigen. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2019).
Maas promenade, Vlaardigen. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2020).
Waste materials storage, Vlaardigen. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2020).
Industrial detail, Maasluis. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2021).
Water, Maasluis. (© JGF|ph. Jacopo Gennari Feslikenian, 2021).