Rotterdam: Highs and Lows
Usually, around this time of the year, I’m preparing to head to the awesome Reggae Rotterdam festival. Whilst this festival has been the main reason for my visits over the past three years, there are more reasons to visit Rotterdam. In this post, I’ll be sharing what makes Rotterdam special to me.
Highlights
Reggae Rotterdam
Growing up, I was introduced to reggae legends before I knew their actual names. As I got older I began to appreciate the pioneers of this genre and how this sound travelled to the UK. And inspired generations of music I listen to today. Back in 2017, I visited my sister who was on a summer placement and we ended up at the Reggae Rotterdam festival. I saw the line-up and I was stoked! For a new festival to secure Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder and Sister Nancy was definitely impressive. Last year, Spice headlined. And I was so looking forward to seeing Chronixx and Proteje this year…
For anyone who enjoys reggae, dancehall and dub, this is one (of many European) festivals that should be on your radar.
Public sculptures
Across the city, there are sculptures of all shapes and sizes on public display. I loved seeing different art forms as I strolled through the city. I know there are challenges with caring for art, in the natural environment. But I think there’s a real beauty in encountering art on a journey and pausing because of it.
I realise that I have many more sculptures to see on my next trip.
Formally Known as Witte de With
This Centre for Contemporary Art was where I was introduced to two incredible artists: Firelei Báez and Lawrence Abu Hamdan.
Báez’s work explored different aspects of Blackness using vivid imagery, in paintings and a large installation.
This installation made use of patterned fabric which was dotted with several icons associated with Blackness (such as Afro combs, community and the Black Power fist). The use of lighting (from above and below) immediately drew my attention to different parts of the installation. Which also included two paintings, partly obscured by plants.
Abu Hamdan explored the term ‘earwitness’ ( a testimony based on what a person hears) and applied this to the context of an earwitness enquiry of former prisoners at Saydnaya in Syria.
FYI this Centre for Contemporary art is undergoing the process of changing its name — as part of a three-year process. ‘Witte de With’ was named after Witte Corneliszoo de With — a Dutch naval officer who worked within the machinery of Dutch colonialism: the Dutch West India and Dutch East India companies.
BIRD
Another reason I ended up in Rotterdam was to see Saba in concert, whose a rapper from Chicago. As expected, tickets in London sold out very quickly. And I thought to myself which city would not only be the easiest to get to? But also, had things going on beyond the concert? Rotterdam answered both these questions and was the reason I visited the city for the first time outside of the Reggae Rotterdam festival. As a venue, BIRD is quite an intimate setting, which was great if you want to feel more connected with the artist. Of course, the audience needs to be energised and if they don’t…well, I’ll go into that in a sec…
Lows
Lack of energy
Despite the venue being a great setting to see Saba, the audience had absolutely no energy. And I really couldn’t understand why someone would choose to be in this space and bring no energy. I’m not going to sit here and say people attending concerts need to know all the words of an artist’s entire collection. But at least vibe with the artist. Show them that their presence has some meaning. Especially when considering Chicago is across the Pond. I’m not sure if the content of Saba’s lyrics had anything to do with this. As his recent album (Care For Me) explored life after the death of a close family member. It was deep, of course. And some people may not have experienced this. But I think being energised is one way an audience can show an artist we resonate with their words. Saba really tried to engage with the audience. But his efforts were futile. It was a strange situation to be present in….
Overall, Rotterdam is a city worth visiting. I enjoy being in a space where the emphasis on culture and art seems to run across the city. Within this, it’s been interesting observing how cultural organisations are reflecting on their position within society in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement. Perhaps by the time I next visit, the role of culture may differ to my previous experiences…
