IJ Build

A Pilot Publishing project
commissioned by the Blue House
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2004 – 2008

Its a long story. A documentary made from hand-held video footage filmed during short visits to the Blue House from 2004 – 2008.

Seizing this rare opportunity to roam freely amongst a building site, Pilot Publishing begin to investigate the fabric of a place – the building and construction. The sense of artificial landscape, prompt them to question the raw, natural origins of the construction materials and the impact on nature’s balance as a whole. With this question in mind, they embark on spontaneous interviews and observations.

IJbuild captures the quiet activity of the making of a habitat. The hidden intricacies and craft skills behind construction. IJbuild is an impression of the strange ‘world’ of this place in its pre-historic state. Real and, at times, imaginary.