Dark Harbor
Enjoy a very special and private theatrical experience in this augmented reality based installation. Become part of the world of Typhoid Mary, who spent a large part of her life in quarantine on North Brother Island near New York.
During an hour, you will be the only visitor in one of the buildings of the former Quarantine station in Rotterdam. Once separated from the outside world, you will become part of the world of Typhoid Mary, who spent a large part of her life in quarantine on North Brother Island near New York. As time progresses, you experience the isolation and Rotterdam and New York intermingle.
The adventurous visitor who dares to go ‘in quarantine’ explores the interactive environment and responds to the challenges presentend. The building (the former sick-bay of the station) transforms the visitors’ behavior into a unique scenario for the visit. The narrative lines employed are based the life of Mary Mallon, aka Typhoid Mary (1869–1938). As a private cook for the nouveau riche in New York, she spread typhoid among her employers, who got ill and died. Refusing to change profession, officials had no other choice but to put her in quarantine for the rest of her life. She died after 23 years of solitude.
The installation offers a unique mixture of theatrical elements, exhibition and interaction.
The visitors’ experience will be shaped by the specially designed rooms and objects, video image, light, text, sound and music.
Each visitor makes a reservation for an hour ‘in quarantine’ on the dedicated reservation site: www.nidda.nl.
Concept, design and realization: Angelika Oei and R.A. Verouden
The Rotterdam Quarantine Station is a Dutch cultural heritage monument, set in a park in the middle of the harbor area.
Dark Harbor is supported by the Dienst Kunst en Cultuur, Rotterdam.
