Opdrachtgever: Gemeente Amsterdam
A canon, according to princeton, is a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy. After the dutch national canon Amsterdam followed in its wake with the Canon of Amsterdam, initiated by mayor Job Cohen of Amsterdam. The canon is to raise historical awareness for the city of Amsterdam among its 700 thousand inhabitants and increase their mutual bond with their hometown. The Amsterdam local government is responsible for the Canon of Amsterdam and asked us to develop its center staged website.
The Canon of Amsterdam contents
De Canon is is a collection of 50 'portraits' displaying the history of Amsterdam of the last 700 years. A special committee lead by Prof. Dr. Piet de Rooij (professor in dutch history at the University of Amsterdam) established the contents for the Canon. The Amsterdam TV network AT5 will be translating a canon portrait each week. Viewers will be able to stream broadcasts from the website.
Website
The website is the central portal for communication on all aspects revolving the Canon of Amsterdam. The website will show the 50 portraits in detail and will show a new television broadcast for one of the portraits, each week. The citizens of Amsterdam will also be able to respond on the Canon, the portraits and they will be able to create their own Personal Canon.
The website is a fine example of a contemporary Drupal website for a fairly large governmental institute. With all aspects involved in such a project, dealing with many visitors, this project pushed the Drupal limits to its fullest extend and the website literally became an online application. We also had to design the Canon of Amsterdam logo used within the website and all online and offline campaigns. It has been published in print, works of art and other campaigns supporting the Canon.
Opening
During the public showing on 3 september 2008, the Canon of Amsterdam was officially handed over to the mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen.
In the media
- Algemeen Dagblad
- NRC Handersblad/NRC Next
- De Wereld Draait Door
- Het Parool
- NOS Journaal
- AT5
- Reformatorisch dagblad
- Afbeeldingen Opening woensdag 3 september (©Maartje Pronk)
More resources
