THE DARKROOM
Nederlands Fotomuseum
De Donkere Kamer (The Darkroom) is the first permanent display about Dutch photography history in the Netherlands. A space of 250 m2 in the basement of the Nederlands Fotomuseum (Dutch Photo Museum) in Rotterdam has been transformed into a special darkroom. Some fifty development trays are basking in red light. A light wall opposite the entrance that contains a timeline looks like a large strip of negatives. In this modern and interactive darkroom the visitor discovers the development and history of over 185 years of Dutch photography through 22 short stories. From daguerrotypes to Polaroid, from stereo photographs to flickr.com.
- Location
- Rotterdam (NL)
- Client
- Nederlands Fotomuseum
- Year
- 2011
By putting a white sheet in a development tray, like in an old darkroom, the visitor activates the stories, which are being told by photographers, friends, family members, connoisseurs, and Dutch celebrities.
The visitor activates the stories
By putting a white sheet in a development tray, like in an old darkroom, the visitor activates the stories, which are being told by photographers, friends, family members, connoisseurs, and Dutch celebrities such as Hans Dorrestijn and Thom Hoffman. The stories have been made accessible for a wide audience, with secondary school children as main focus. All the photographic material is derived from the museum’s rich collection. The stories are complemented by objects, such as cameras, original and new prints and special photographic accessories.
Awards
Gouden Reiger 2012
- Spatial design, winner
Design Week Award 2012
- Exhibition design - honorable mention
IDEA Award 2012
- Environments, finalist
International Design & Communication Awards 2013
- Best Exhibition Layout - winner
