A series of conversations lead by Markus Miessen, injected into the project framework alongside the construction of Maasvlakte 2, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

2009

Project Links: www.portscapes.nl & www.skor.nl
Introduction by the Curators:

Why Portscapes

At the extremity of The Netherlands, to the west of Rotterdam, an extension to the port of Rotterdam has been underway since September 2008. With the construction of Maasvlakte 2, The Netherlands will become 2,000 hectares larger and the port, already the biggest in Europe, will increase in size by 20%. The construction of Maasvlakte 2 prompted the Port of Rotterdam Authority to join with SKOR (Foundation Art and Public Space) in asking artists to reflect on the port, its expansion and its function. Under the title ‘Portscapes’, an artistic voyage of discovery will take place throughout 2009, touching on the port’s architectural, political, social and ecological past, present and future.

Artists

Portscapes involves artists from The Netherlands, China, Mexico, Austria and the United States. By creating events varied in scale, temporary art works, performances, excursions and screenings in the port area, for example, Portscapes will evolve as a kind of cultural guidebook to the port area, focusing on the future and Maasvlakte 2.

Programme

Portscapes’ projects will take place at different times and locations. The launch takes place during Art Rotterdam in February. The opening of Futureland, the information centre for Maasvlakte 2, is a further occasion around which art works will be presented (end of April). Other projects will be realized to coincide with the World Port Days and the Rotterdam Architecture Biennale (September, October). Check the agenda on this site. Construction work on Maasvlakte 2 will continue until 2013. Following 2009 as a pilot year, the Port Authority plans to commission art projects annually during the next four years in cooperation with SKOR. Through the diversity of artists taking part in Portscapes and the different perspectives their work will suggest, a range of possibilities for future artistic engagement will be explored.

Organisation

Portscapes is a Port of Rotterdam Authority initiative developed with advice from SKOR (Foundation Art and Public Space) and programmed by the curatorial duo Latitudes (Max Andrews & Mariana Cánepa Luna). Latitudes is invited on the basis of its international experience with exhibitions and publications in the field of land art and ecology.