Oosterdok Sensory Tower
by Expeditie Oosterdok & ARCAM
![]()
![]()
![]()
This exhibition invites you to journey through time, exploring the layered history of Mediamatic's waterfront location. Here, where the scent of the water blends with the lingering echoes of Amsterdam's industrial past, we ask: How can we reconcile the weight of history with the promise of a better future?
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.
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
Text: Laura Sanz Rosal, photogrpahs: Skaiste Venckevi
Scent & historical research & design: Maria Ilieva
Below: Images from the opening of the Oosterdok Tour, with scent presentation, courtesy of Expeditie Oosterdok, photographed by Maarten Nauw
