The city of Rotterdam has a lot of gems, including this futuristic architecture from 1977!
Some weeks I simply get stuck in a single country while going through my photos. I guess it’s the Netherlands for this week, as this installment of iPhone Friday gets us to Rotterdam. During a visit in 2017, I found myself walking through the city of my birth. There’s always something new to see in the city!
Here’s one of my favorite views that you don’t see everywhere…
Plan C
Although these houses were already 40 years old at the time of this photo, they still look futuristic. Architect Piet Blom came up with this design, of which there are several locations. The first set were built in the city of Helmond in 1972, and these in Rotterdam started in 1977. The Rotterdam collection has 38 cubes and 2 super-cubes, all of which are attached to each other.
As they were (and are) quite the novelty, residents were often asked by passers-by to let them see the inside. So one of the residents opened their house as a “show cube”, and makes a living offering tours of their interesting abode. I have taken the tour and can tell you that hanging art on the walls requires additional attachment points!
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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Something that has caught my attention in recent years, is the architectural structures in the Northern countries. I hadn’t seen this before, it’s very interesting. You shot it from a very nice angle. But believe me, want to explore more. It’s magnificent. Thank you, Love, nia
Hi Nia, yes, some of the Nordic architecture is rather different as environmental factors drive decision processes in all of our varied climates. I noticed some interesting techniques while in Egypt to keep houses cooler with classic design methods.
Most unusual architecture
Yes, leave it to the Dutch to come up with something like this 🙂
In some ways, it reminds me of the ISS (or space structures they show on movies).
I like your interpretation. Thank you!
Something that has caught my attention in recent years, is the architectural structures in the Northern countries. I hadn’t seen this before, it’s very interesting. You shot it from a very nice angle. But believe me, want to explore more. It’s magnificent. Thank you, Love, nia
Hi Nia, yes, some of the Nordic architecture is rather different as environmental factors drive decision processes in all of our varied climates. I noticed some interesting techniques while in Egypt to keep houses cooler with classic design methods.
These are all intriguing.
Hope you’re doing great