“Rotterdam”

Rotterdam -  Godian, our guide for the day, comes from Nigeria, a vast country with numerous natural resources and a population whose size, despite its poverty, makes it an interesting market. I saw that with my own eyes when I was there not so long ago. I met an English family that had grown rich on the glue for Guinness bottle labels. In the tubs of water that people use to keep the bottles cold, the glue turned to go. The Englishman found a solution and, since Nigerians drink more Guinness than any other nation, his invention proved extremely lucrative. A Swedish entrepreneur has made a killing with toothpicks; there is lots of tough meat in Nigeria. There is no shortage of such inventive entrepreneurs and in the early 1990s Godian and his brothers conceived a plan to begin a charter flight company to fly these businessmen from one meeting to another, a good idea in a country with poor roads and constant traffic jams.In order to get his pilot licence, in 1993 Godian went to Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands. He was a quick and eager student. The flying instructor frequently invited Godian to his home to eat with his family. All that was left was to pass his exam and he could go home. During the exam flight everything went smoothly until both engines suddenly failed. Things didn’t look good. The instructor despaired for his wife and children if he were not to survive. Godian began to pray and promised God that he would devote his life to serving the Lord if he survived. With no clear explanation, the engines kicked in again and they landed safely. Then Godian realised that he had made a promise. And for the second time. Once before he had miraculously escaped a life-threatening situation. He could see no option but to live up to his promise this time: he reported to the Bishopric of Haarlem, where he took his training to become an ecumenical pastor. You don’t imagine such a thing: a Nigerian development worker who becomes a missionary devoted to the welfare of Dutch cities.
Lino Hellings – Rotterdam Lab

Rotterdam -  Look the new heart from Rotterdam is pounding here. This slogan sounds full of excitement but I don’t see it. It is a fantasy that never happens. …
Erika Blikman – Rotterdam Lab

Rotterdam -  Inside the Surinamese shop there is another shop a videotheque, your special supplier of Bollywood CDs and DVDs. On the yellow sign on the ceiling it says ‘Do not bring…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

A bike, four people and a tree. That fascinates me. You see it dancing through the small space. Forbidden to go there and yet nobody looks up. Everybody is minding…
Erika Blikman – Rotterdam Lab

Unintentional New Urban Undefined Space. Lino Hellings the 12 of April Rotterdam Pattern inside/out.…
Lino Hellings – Rotterdam Lab

Standing with my back to the City Hall. Looking at a picture of the City Hall.A blossoming cherry tree, a 50ft woman and a gigantic bird.Artist impression it…
Maurice Bogaert – Rotterdam Lab

There are many shops in shops. That keeps the costs low for everyone. Some of the owners sit, talk and drink Fanta and Cola at the end of the day…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

This shop sells outfits for Hindu weddings. The bride, groom and guests can buy their dresses, jewellery, shoes and handbags in this colourful shop. There is a wide variety of…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

Young skippers are trained in Maashaven. Lars de la Rie (one more week of school to go before he will be inland skipper) told me he was born only 5…
Nies Medema – Migrationpapa

When arriving at Rotterdam Centraal by metro, one arrives at the top of these stairs. Standing on the stairs one overlooks the site of the station under construction. And the…
Maurice Bogaert – Rotterdam Lab

The new policy of the authorities is not to report anymore about the bad things that happen in the Tarwewijk. Radiomaker and DJ Eric does not agree. Bad news and…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

Our work was shown on location for six weeks from the end of November 2010 till half January 2011. Sandra Smets, art critic in NRC newspaper Cultural Supplement…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

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Robin van 't Haar – Rotterdam Lab

Another 50ft woman, an angry man and a headless mannequin. …
Maurice Bogaert – Rotterdam Lab

October next year, no pools no puddles. The future is bight and shiny. I wonder if the guy coming down the stairs is wearing a red jacket. I can’t wait…
Maurice Bogaert – Rotterdam Lab

As soon as the evening falls around five the traffic lights, streetlamps and shopwindows add colour to the grey public space. People come home from work and school and go…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

A way to store your bicycle in the streets. Most bicycles embrace lanternpoles and/or other bicycles in a touching and affectionate way though. ‘Fietstrommel’ sounds like candy box. On the…
Lino Hellings – Rotterdam Lab

Except for the carpenters and painters it’s really quiet in Kiefhoek. Where did everybody go?…
Maurice Bogaert – Rotterdam Lab

Rotterdam, a real workers city. Maurice, April 13 2010…
Maurice Bogaert – Rotterdam Lab

Athur cannot walk but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t make himself usefull. Every morning he gets up at 5 . Collects the free newspapers in the metro station. The minibusses with…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

In the Tarwewijk I do see many barbershops too. So many cultures, so many different kinds of hair and hairstyles do explain the amount of shops. But like in Lagos…
Lino Hellings – Migrationpapa

Everywhere you look, there are bicycles embracing lanternpoles, bridges and each other. Lino Hellings the 7th of April Rotterdam.…
Lino Hellings – Rotterdam Lab

This sign says that the city of Rotterdam has recently dismantled an illegal cannabis plantation in this apartment. (a profitable way for people with a low income to make extra…
Robin van 't Haar – Rotterdam Lab