ALREADY MORE THAN 300,000 VISITORS WORLDWIDE!

EDWARD
BURTYNSKY


WATER,
THE NEW GOLD

June 7 - Sept. 29, 2024
Cc Scharpoord, Knokke-Heist

THE BEAUTY & SCARCITY OF WATER

The photo exhibition WATER explores the controversial relationship between humanity and water: basic component of our bodies, essential resource for our lives as well as those of our planet. Indispensable and vital. That makes water the most precious liquid; the new gold.

Edward Burtynsky's abstract photographs, sometimes elegant, sometimes haunting, hover between the worlds of painting and photography, forming a compelling portrait of water that presents itself as an open question about man's relationship with nature.

"Wherever you take water out of its natural cycle, there is always a winner and a loser. The one to whom it flows is the winner and the one who misses that water is the loser."

Edward Burtynsky


PHOTO EXPO
WATER THROUGH THE LENS OF BURTYNSKY

"I wanted to understand water, as well as our use and misuse of it. The images show evidence of global thirst and endangered resources. The landscapes I document are clearly not vistas of an inexhaustible, sustainable world."

Edward Burtynsky


Internationally acclaimed Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky traveled to as many as five continents. From the Gulf of Mexico to the banks of the Ganges, he captured the life cycle of water. He followed the course of rivers, studied the seas and also dove beneath the surface, which typifies him.

The expo is structured according to 6 different chapters: In Need, Control, Agriculture, Hydroponics, Source, Bank and Waterfront. This gives visitors a very diverse picture of water. 

Given the vastness of the subject, Burtynsky used advanced technologies. 

Awesome aerial shots (via helicopters and drones) give you a stunning perspective on water. This photo expo will bring you wonder and amazement, leading you from fascination to awareness: because the environment is of global importance and as urgent as our basic needs.


EDWARD BURTYNSKY
HIS POWERFUL VIEW OF WATER

Burtynsky (b. 1955, Ontario, Canada) is known for his stunningly innovative photography. A celebrated photographer for over 40 years, he has witnessed man's widespread impact on the planet. His work challenges an important conversation about its impact, and what it means for the future.

Burtynsky's photographs are in the collections of more than 80 major museums around the world, including the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York, Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Tate Modern in London, Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. 

His images appear annually in numerous magazines, including Canadian Art, Art in America, The Smithsonian Magazine, Harper's Magazine, Flash Art, Blind Spot, Art Forum, Saturday Night, National Geographic, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Walrus, FT Weekend and Vogue.

WATER BY BURTYNSKY
Welcome to the photo exhibition

Opening hours:
June 7 - Sept. 29, 2024
Open every day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Last ticket sales at 5 p.m.

Location:
Cc Scharpoord
Maxim Willemspad 1
8300 Knokke-Heist (on the coast)

Ticket prices:*
Standard ticket: 15 euros
Group rate (group from 10 people): per person 12 euros
Ticket under 25: 12 euros
Schools (school group from 10 people): per person 5 euros 

* plus a one-time 0.89 cents reservation fee per online ticket ordered

Accessibility:

The train station Knokke-Heist is 850m.
The nearest stop of the
coastal streetcar is Knokke: a short 10-minute walk. Coming by bike? This cycling routes pass by Scharpoord. Travelling by car? You can park in the parking lot at Scharpoord (not paying, blue disc (max. 4 hours)).

Tour: even more inspiration

Curious to learn more about the photos and Burtynsky? A guide will take
you on a tour and share interesting additional information in about 90 minutes. This tour costs 95 euros and is available from as little as 1 person, up to a group of up to 20 adults. 

Book the tour in conjunction with your tickets

Art shop: photo books, prints & design

Nice souvenir to enjoy afterward? In the Art Shop you will find the photo book "Water" published exclusively for this exhibition. Or choose
one of the many other beautiful photo books, prints, or merchandising items; great as a gift (also for yourself). The Art Shop is furnished by partners Flos, Vitra and Extremis.

Cafe Culture: cozy afterglow

Also nice: have a chat with a drink and some goodies in the café or on the sunny terrace. Open every day from 10 am (also accessible without a ticket).

Especially for this expo, The Dark Room published its own book with publisher Hopper&Fuchs. 

Edward Burtynsky's abstract photographs, sometimes elegant, sometimes haunting, float between the worlds of painting and photography, forming a compelling portrait of water that presents itself as an open question about man's relationship with nature. And these are reflected in this book! You buy it now through our shop!

BOOK WATER

 FAQs

  • When booking your ticket, you can choose which time block suits you best; the morning or afternoon.

    This gives you plenty of time to walk around at your leisure and get a good look at all the images.

  • Until March 31, you get one euro discount on each ticket sold. Do you book several tickets at once? Then the discount will be settled automatically.

  • Yes, you can. When booking your ticket(s) you will be offered this option. The book will then be waiting for you in the Art Shop, so that you can take it with you right after your visit to the exhibition and do not have to pay shipping costs.

  • Edward Burtynsky will be there for the opening weekend. On June 7, there will be a lecture by him in the evening at the Scharpoord Theatre in Knokke-Heist.

  • Yes, visitors can also use the elevator provided. Parking spaces are also provided in the Scharpoord parking lot specifically for the disabled.

  • Sure! Water captures everyone's imagination. This makes the photo expo fun as a family outing: children will notice very different things from their parents again. Please note that a special rate is available for under-25s (see ticket prices). Children under 16 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

  • Groups of school children accompanied by a docent are welcome. Also be sure to visit

    the education corner! It is wise to plan the visit in time due to available time slots. When booking tickets, select the "schools" option for the special rate (see ticket prices).

The Dark Room brings together photo talent and photo enthusiasts, specializing in organizing unique photo exhibitions. Creative manager Kaat Celis & business expert Dimitri Heirbaut share a passion for contemporary photography:   

THE DARK ROOM
Connecting platform for photography


"Visual language helps to tell important stories, to touch people and bring them together. With pictures you can really understand and feel each other, if you look closely. No matter how young or old you are, no matter where you come from. Photography is a universal language, accessible to everyone."

Kaat Celis


ABOUT KAAT

For more than 20 years, Kaat Celis has been bringing people closer to photography. After studying as a photographer, she worked in the media, including as photo editor at Het Laatste Nieuws, Goedele Magazine and as chief of photography at De Morgen.

Kaat is founder of the AntwerpPhoto Festival and has worked for World Press Photo, Bozar, Red Star Line Museum, MAS, Toneelhuis, C-Mine and Legacy (Helmut Newton). Kaat is also active as a curator and much sought-after jury member at (inter)national competitions and fairs.

ABOUT DIMITRI

Dimitri is a partner within De Donkere Kamer and is in charge of financial and business management. Together with Kaat, he forms a strong duo, making various photography exhibitions accessible to a wide audience.

For this expo Water by Edward Burtynsky, De Donkere Kamer is working with partners Polestar, Vitra, Extremis, Flos, Stockmans Art Books, de Standaard and the municipality of Knokke-Heist.

Do you have a question, want to meet or collaborate?

Email us at info@donkerekamer.com