Exhibition:

Under the Harbour

by Mariko Hori

15 Jan 2026
15 Jan 2027

Have you ever wondered how the underwater smells like? Or what scents surround the aquatic species? Under the Harbour is a participatory exhibition that brings the smell of the Oosterdok from the depths of Amsterdam’s docks to the canals of your ears by translating smell into sound. 

The exhibition unfolds as a gentle sensory ritual - an invitation to pause, attune, and return each month to the same moment of smelling and listening together.

Come by to explore and enrich your scent pallet with the aromas of the underwater realm every second Friday of the month from 12:00 - 15:00!

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Under the Harbour smelling cup-- credits- Mariko Hori -

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Shell music box from Under the Harbor-- Credits- Mariko Hori+ -

Humans are not the only species that experience their world through scent. Living under or close by the waters around Mediamatic, you could discover a rich biodiversity of species who rely on their sense of smell. For example, some fish use special nostrils, called nares, to detect odorants in the water. They use smell to find food, avoid predators and navigate through the water. 

As a Zoöp, Mediamatic is curious about the perceptual world of the other-than-human life including our aquatic companions. It offers us as humans a unique glimpse into the underwater olfactory world, and thus - a better understanding of the species life and experience. 

Twice a month, Mariko Hori's installation will be open for visitors who would like to discover the scent of the underwater and after that translate their scent experience into a sound uniquely created for each participant. 

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Mariko Hori -

Mariko Hori

Mariko Hori is an artist who often works with found objects to represent a certain ambience. She has studied architecture and graduated from Kyoto Seika University in Japan. Her works, consisting mainly of installations, are a study of alternative ways of architecture without building. Her works are characterised by modest but unique choices in materials and very careful and deliberate positionings.

Information

  • Every second Friday of the month
  • 12:00 - 15:00
  • Mediamatic Restaurant 
  • Ask for the host of the day 

 

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Mariko Hori demonstrating the music box -

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Under the Harbour weights and glass jug going into the water-- Credits Mariko Hori -

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Someone smelling the scent from Under the Harbor-- Credits- Mariko Hori -

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Under the Harbour Installation, Mariko Hori, December 2025 -