Rotterdam 1857 - lost cityscapes

I intend to look up these places and compare the current and the historic views. But I know it will take some research and some time. But I'm so in love with these historic views of the city that I cannot resist putting them online.

All of this has disappeared in the meantime. The only thing still there is the St. Lawrence's Church (Laurenskerk) - the only official power place (krachtplek) in the city. A few of the street names are still present. 

I mourn all the history that has been obliterated. I miss the old city.

Museum - Leuvenhaven - Noord-Blaak - Beurs - Zuid-Blaak - Beurs Brug - Beurs Plein

Groote of St. Laurens Kerk - Koorn Beurs - Open-Rijstuin - West-Nieuwland - Kleine Draaisteeg

Fransche Koffijhuis - KLeine draaibrug - Mosseltrap - Nieuwehaven - Geldersche Kade

Spaansche Kade - Koestraat - Zee Kantoor - Episcopale Kerk - Geldersche Kade

Source:
Panorama van de noordelijke Provincien der Nederlanden,
bevattende de schilderagtigste-gezigten, kerken, hoofdgebouwen, gedenkteekens,
de belangrijkste straten en pleinen der steden, benevens de wandelingen in en om dezeve.
Naar de Natuur geteekend en gekleurd.
Eerste aflevering.
's Gravenhage,
bij gebroeders van Lier, boek- en kunstplaathandelaren,
Korte Houtstraat, Wijk L, No 26.
1837

Will o' the wisps - a performance by xname

We wait for darkness. No shape without shadow.

Start of performance - at sundown.

I will : not take part - observe - report.

Nature / physics needs an observer.

The performance pitches culture against nature :

 - it will get dark - we will make lights,

- dew and moisture will gather on the grass - we will light fires in aluminum bowls.

Nature will take revenge.

Just sitting.

"Listen to sounds around you."

First only silence - we think.

Later - emerging sounds from stillness.

Sea waves, lonely birds, cars in distance, wind.

Some sounds will be identified never.

How different from the city.

Two hooded figures walk the circle.

The fires are lit - one by one.

Nature resists - darkness, wind, moisture - victorious first.

Gas-lighter culture beats nature's resistance.

The kite sees everything.

A nylon line connects heaven and earth - a conductor of theoretical death.

We fear nature's lightning.

The circle burns.

Islands of green aluminum flame light the marshes.

Toxic chemicals impersonate spooklights.

Modern alchemy is victorious.

We listen more - watch the circle burn.

Dark shapes walk the circle - opening portals - disappearing in darkness.

The fires burn out - want more light - more liquid fuel.

Open portals - release entropy.

The sky darkens - the bottle explodes.

Cries of panic - theoretical damage.

Loss of control is a sign of weakness.

Loss of control frees the spirit.

Lesson of nature.

---

Will o' the wisps 

by xname
with assistance by Stephen Fortune, Luke Jordan, uair01 

and the Psychogeophysics Summit Participants