Metinides focuses not only on accidents and human violence, but also on the people bound together because of a disastrous situation. His photographs occasionally resemble staged film fragments, unreal but above all human. They show us how quickly people arrive at the scene of a disaster, either to take action, to help or simply to watch.
Vulnerability
It is tempting to compare Metinides' work to that of the American photographer Weegee: they both share a passion for the dark side of human existence. But where Weegee's best work only covers a period of ten years, Metidines' work extends for five decades. Metinides zooms in on people who come to help and those who hurry to the scene just to watch the drama unfold, and without knowing it, become part of the same scene. He mingles with this group of people, watching the disaster tourists, following the relief workers, and is not one to ignore the dead and injured. He witnesses fires, floods, plane crashes, car accidents, train derailments, bus accidents, murder and suicides. Metinides works as a photographer with a wide-angle lens and flash, and records the disaster scenes in carefully chosen stills. His photographs appear to be staged. They are almost surreal, their reality hard to grasp.
About your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip listThe Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.
Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.
Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.
In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.