Black Snow is a project about life in the shadow of the Tata Steel factory in IJmuiden, the Netherlands. This coastal region is home to communities caught between economic dependence on the factory and growing concern about its environmental and health impacts. Tata Steel is currently under intense public scrutiny.

Pollution is a major issue, and in early February 2021, snow in parts of the area turned black — most likely due to coal dust and graphite emissions. This striking visual became a symbol of a deeper reality.

The title Black Snow refers not only to this literal phenomenon, but also to a figurative veil — a metaphorical embodiment of the factory’s far-reaching presence. More than just an industrial site, Tata Steel’s influence is deeply embedded in the IJmond region — touching on economic, social, and environmental aspects of life.

The project explores how this presence manifests in the everyday — as a quiet but enduring layer that is complex, contradictory, and difficult to ignore. Through photography, film, and interviews, Black Snow gives voice to residents, workers, and others who live in this layered reality.

The final work will be presented as a solo exhibition at the Verwey Museum Haarlem in January 2026.