Oorsprong van Rotterdam

Luuk Bode

"Roots of Rotterdam"

Blaak, Rotterdam, Netherlands. June 27 - august 13, 2007.

Where are the Rotterdam's roots?

Right here!

This is the spot where a small river -De Rotte- flowed through the polder. It is on this spot a dam was placed in the river and the settlement called Rotta was created.

In the year 1340 Rotterdam received the municipal law and city arms. The selltement had about 2000 inhabitants at the time. Beneath this square (Binnenrotteplein), the roots of Rotterdam has started.

Artproducer Mothership asked artist Luuk Bode (a native of Rotterdam) to visualize the importancy of this spot in a special way.

“The work of art shows us the grow of the city from it's start in the 7th century up till now. It looks like an abstract painting, but if you look very well you can see that it is a recognizable accumulation of the city through the years. The energy in the city of today, was already there for 1200 years. I've tried to catch the atmosphere and energy of the city." -Luuk Bode-

This huge "paint by numbers" work of art stretches almost 3000 m2 (32300 ft2). The work of art and the information presented in the tower gives an insight of the origins of Rotterdam and its fight against the water. It shows the explosive growth of the city and its the harbor and the increased importance of infrastructure in the second half of the nineteenth century. The ring of fire is a symbol for the enormous destruction in 1940 due to the German bombardments. After this event the face of Rotterdam was permanently changed, along with its atmosphere.

When standing on the 16 meters (52,5 ft) tall tower, you will have a panoramic view of the painting in "Trompe L'oeil".

Climbing the stairs to the top of the tower, you will see illustrations and pictures of Rotterdam's history, present and future. It's a taste of what is in store for the visitors of this unique painting.

"Roots of Rotterdam" is an initiative of Rotterdam 2007 City of Architecture.