The sounds of Katendrecht: science and art come together at NOISE exhibition
Katendrecht, once Rotterdam’s historic harbour district, has transformed over the years, evolving socially and culturally. These changes resonate profoundly in its soundscape, offering a unique lens to explore how auditory environments shape identity and community. From 2-13 December, an exhibition by the NOISE® research team captures the sounds and rhythms of everyday life in Katendrecht.
Integrating Soundscapes and Community Experiences is an exhibition by NOISE®, a research project supported by the Resilient Delta Initiative. The exhibition, on view from 2 until 13 December 2024, delves into Katendrecht’s auditory landscape and reveals how sounds—from ship horns and distant traffic to local chatter—convey the rhythms of urban life and influence how people connect with their surroundings.
Through a combination of fieldwork and conversations with the local community, the NOISE® research team investigated the relationship between sound and place. This research highlights how layers of auditory cues and urban rhythms define the experience of a neighbourhood, shaping collective memory and individual perceptions.
The exhibition resulted in a multi-layered artwork by Nadia Nena, featuring several drawings that reflect the complexity of Katendrecht’s soundscape. The artwork weaves together three interconnected layers—space, sound, and perception—to capture the essence of how sound uniquely shapes place, identity, and memory in this vibrant, evolving neighbourhood.
More information
Opening on 2 December at 4.30 PM, the exhibition can be seen in the Zuidserre (BK, TU Delft) until 13 December.
NOISE® research team: Vincent Baptist, Sahar Asadollahi Asl Zarkhah & Rosa de Kruif
Advisors: Maurice Harteveld & Mariëlle Beenackers.
Thanks to: Maurik Stomps, Bas Vahl & Jesse Verdoes
Read more about the NOISE® research project here.