HAPPENING 2–10 OCT '26 | A historic ship will become a live musical instrument in Rotterdam this October when Klankexpeditie Oostenwind arrives in the city centre. The 25-minute audiovisual performance will take place aboard De Oostenwind in Wijnhaven on 2 and 3 October, before moving to Oude Haven on 9 and 10 October.
De Oostenwind becomes the instrument
The project’s Dutch name, Klankexpeditie Oostenwind, translates roughly as Sound Expedition Oostenwind. Created by sound artist Daniel Maalman’s Foundscape Orchestra, the performance uses the historic vessel itself as part of a temporary sound and light installation.
Rather than simply staging a concert aboard the ship, the musicians will use its metal structure as an instrument. Self-built sound sculptures and mechanical devices interact with the vessel, drawing on its materials, acoustics and history to produce the performance.
“The project transforms the ship De Oostenwind into a temporary sound and light installation, bringing together sound, space and heritage,” says Maalman. “Using self-built sound sculptures, unique machines and the ship itself as an instrument, we bring its past and the distinctive physical qualities of its metal to life.”
The performance is played live by Daniel Maalman, Jasper Schütz and Jaap Mutter of Foundscape Orchestra. The experimental sound-art project normally works with buildings and other spaces, using mechanical and electronic sound sculptures ranging from pneumatic hammers to vibration motors.
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From Wijnhaven to Oude Haven
Klankexpeditie Oostenwind begins in Wijnhaven on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October 2026. The ship then moves to Oude Haven for Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October.
Friday performances start at 20:00, 20:30, 21:00 and 21:30. On Saturdays, you can board for performances at 16:00, 16:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00 and 21:30. Each performance lasts approximately 25 minutes.
Both harbours form part of Rotterdam’s network of historic inner-city waterways managed by Stichting Erfgoedhavens Rotterdam. The organisation manages historic harbour areas stretching from Schiedamsedijk towards Oostmaaslaan, including Wijnhaven and Oude Haven.
Tickets and accessibility
Tickets cost €5 for adults and €4 for children and VriendenLoterij participants. Reservations can be made through the Klankexpeditie ticket shop.
The organisers advise that the performance is less suitable for children under 10 because of the sounds used during the show. De Oostenwind also has numerous small stairways, meaning the performance is not accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
More information is available at erfgoedspektakel.nl.
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Maritime heritage meets sound art
Klankexpeditie Oostenwind forms part of Erfgoedspektakel, a programme created by heritage organisation BOEi that pairs cultural makers with distinctive heritage locations.
Earlier editions have taken place inside buildings including the former Sodafabriek in Schiedam and Biesboschhal in Dordrecht. De Oostenwind takes the concept onto Rotterdam’s maritime heritage, using a working historic environment rather than a conventional cultural venue.
The Rotterdam performances are supported by VriendenLoterij and the Province of South Holland through its Maritime Industry heritage programme. Erfgoedhavens Rotterdam is providing the ship and locations.
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