Van Gend en Loos transhipment yard (now: Funenpark), Amsterdam 1988
Peter Spaans – Amsterdam Photographed from the Railway Tracks
Date: Friday 22 May 2026
Time: 5.00–7.00 pm
Venue: Buurtkamer Over de Brug, Isaac Titsinghkade 123, 1018 LL Amsterdam
Cities have always been the starting point for Peter Spaans’ photography. Whether Amsterdam, Berlin or New York, he looks for ways to capture the essence of the city — not as a tourist, but as someone who immerses himself in its rhythm and structure.
In 1988 and 1989, with permission from and accompanied by employees of Nederlandse Spoorwegen, he walked along the railway tracks of Amsterdam. From there, he photographed the city from a different, quiet perspective: without the bustle of the streets, with a clear view of the changing surroundings. Sounds such as passing cars, children’s voices or music from open windows formed a background symphony that connected the city.
For this new series — thirty years later — Spaans once again walked the route between Central Station and Cruquiuskade, this time with permission from ProRail. The city has changed: noise barriers close off certain areas, trees and shrubs have grown, and buildings have been restored or replaced. Yet his approach remains the same: quick, intuitive shots that capture the dynamics of the city, without searching for perfect compositions.
The two Amsterdam series connect with Spaans’ earlier projects, such as New York from the Yards: The Real Line of New York (1986). There, he photographed the city from subway yards: large, enclosed open spaces where he could observe the raw, unpolished side of New York. As in Amsterdam, the aim was to capture the city from a distance in order to better understand its urban fabric.
Whether Amsterdam, Berlin or New York, the subject is always the same: the city as a living organism.
Peter Spaans – Biography (abridged)
Peter Spaans (1953) is a Dutch artist, photographer and video artist. His work includes photography, installations, books, collages and video, with a strong focus on urban environments, architecture and everyday life.
Spaans has exhibited worldwide, including in New York, Paris, Glasgow, Copenhagen, Turin and Vancouver, and has worked with renowned curators such as Okwui Enwezor, Hou Hanru and Jan Hoet.
