Noorderhoofd [51.98021° N, 4.11153° O]

“Noorderhoofd [51.98021° N, 4.11153° O]” is a field recording soundscape, experienced through the ears of its aquatic and surrounding wildlife, adapted to the petrochemical industries of the Maasvlakte and the cargo traffic of the Port of Rotterdam.

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The Noorderhoofd pier is located along the busiest waterway in Europe, in Hoek van Holland, The Netherlands. The waterway is a ship canal called de Nieuwe Waterweg, which makes the Port of Rotterdam accessible for seagoing vessels from and to the North Sea. It’s the largest port in Europe and specialised in the petrochemical industries and cargo transshipment handlings. Across the water of Noorderhoofd are the Maasvlakte and Europoort, which are very heavily industrialised with also petrochemical industries, aswell as coal- and biomass-fired power plants, styrene- and propylene-oxide production and transhipment of ore, coal and palm oil.

This industrial area is surrounded by beaches where crabs, shrimps and starfish can be found. By dunes with foxes, rabbits, lizards and moles. By the air with sandpipers, polecats, buzzards and seagulls. And by the water with seals, sea bass’ and garfishes.

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The auditive beauty of these surroundings is abruptly disturbed by increasing buzzes, noise and suddenly appearing rhythmical radar frequencies presenting itself through electromagnetic signals. The infrasound from the petroleum industries across gets supported by a slowly growing even intenser engine rumbling. The waves crashing on the pier are rising, each one followed by a greater force.

An interference of low and high increasing frequencies, as a collaboration between human and nature, is resonating through a pole standing on the pier. Beholding the industrial infrasound and coastal acoustics, responding in the creation of abrasive metallic harmonics. This pole is holding a warning sign, to contain our behaviour on the pier.

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“Dangerous waves from shipping. Enter at your own risk.”