Before one could speak of mass tourism, our vision of the world was expanded by painting, photography and film. Paintings actually gave us the first depictions and representations of places that were different from our immediate surroundings. In the 19th century, throughout Europe and the United States there were hundreds of panoramas, some permanent and some travelling or temporary, of the most diverse landscapes and cities.
Two other 19th century inventions, the train and photography, have drastically altered our way of seeing the world. The train was the first means of transportation that made travel possible on a large scale. The invention of the moving picture camera also made it possible to show images taken of a previously unknown world to a (cinema) audience. The ‘phantom ride’, a film made with a camera that was affixed to the front of a moving train, offered the audience the experience of travelling; the beginning of a trend that would eventually lead to attractions in theme parks including Disney World and Universal Studios.
For Atelier HSL, Jan de Bont created a four-screen, three-dimensional video installation. Fully surrounded by large screens at close distance, the viewer will experience the amazing power of ‘Dutch light’, combined with high speed. The three-dimensional images make this experience even more unique as it puts the viewer right ‘inside’ the landscape.
Surfing on Light can be viewed in Rotterdam, October 6-23 2011.
Location:
LP2
Wilhelminakade 326
3072 AR Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10:00-17:00
Saturday-Sunday 11:00-17:00
Entrance fee 4,- including 3D-glasses
