Oosterdok Sensory Tower

Before the transformative construction of the North Sea Canal (1842-1876), this area pulsed with the energy of maritime enterprise. The air would have been thick with the smells of a bustling shipyard, where Dutch warships took shape; the robust activity of a Naval army base; and the global trade of the VOC shipyard. The Dijksgracht, home to the Reederij der Drijvende Droogdokken, witnessed the birth of Amsterdam's first wooden dry dock in 1842, while later, the temporary Oosterdok station and a central cargo and coal hub added their own distinct character.

Imagine the olfactory landscape of that era: the sharp, salty tang of the water, the pungent animalic notes of civettone, the acrid smoke of coal and industry, the woody scent of timber and tar, the dusty dryness of railway traffic, the metallic tang of copper, the subtle sweetness of tobacco, and the earthy aroma of dry grass and hay, punctuated by the unmistakable presence of horses.

Today, though our garden offers a glimpse of nature's resilience, the soil still carries the imprint of those industrial times. This exhibition seeks to bridge the gap between this heavy past and a hopeful future. We’ve translated the historical olfactory data into a scent installation that embodies the past, the present, and the future of this area.

In contrast, we present a vision of renewal - a future where freshness and vitality prevail. Our envisioned future scent profile offers a refreshing counterpoint to the past's density: the juicy, clean scent of water, the herbaceous notes of thyme and lavender, the sweet warmth of honey with rosy undertones, a light citrusy zest, and the verdant aroma of fresh grass. Subtle metallic hints suggest continuity, while Matilde's herbs, grown in our own garden, offer a tangible link to the present and a hope of a future where we recover what we once destroyed. 

Vergroot

This installation is part of the Expeditie Oosterdok, a brand new walking route around the Oosterdok, that allows residents and visitors to discover the hidden stories of this historic and innovative neighborhood. Along the way, you will learn more about the transformation of the Oosterdok through various games and stories. You can find Mediamatic’s Sensory Tower on the interactive map at ontdekoosterdok.nl

How to access the installation?

To access this exhibition, locate the artwork on the side of our Sluisdeurenloods
building, to the left of our restaurant when you are facing the water. Approach the
installation and feel free to smell the velvet pads on the sticks, which connect the past
and the future; you can enjoy the present by simply taking a deep breath. The sticks are
inserted into terrariums with plants that inspired the scent (they all have a focus on the sense of touch).