Gelukzoekers

Project

A grid of portrait photos showcasing diverse individuals across various ages, ethnicities, and styles. They stand against dark backgrounds, wearing different outfits and expressing a range of emotions. The portraits capture a rich tapestry of humanity.

A young woman stands against a dark background, looking slightly to the side. She has dark hair tied back with a headband, wears a sleeveless patterned dress, and a beaded necklace. She has a calm, composed expression with a touch of red lipstick.

A young boy wearing a bright yellow "New York City 23" T-shirt sits against a dark blue background. The lighting highlights his facial features and the details of his T-shirt. He has a calm, neutral expression.

A woman stands against a dark background, wearing a bright pink, knitted top and a black head wrap. She appears confident, with a subtle smile and direct gaze. The lighting emphasizes her facial features and the texture of her clothing.

A middle-aged man and woman are posing against a dark background. The man, with gray hair, is standing and has his hand gently resting on the woman's shoulder. The woman, who is sitting, is wearing a patterned top and a beige hijab, looking directly at the camera.

A man with short, dark hair and a salt-and-pepper mustache is wearing a black t-shirt. He has a serious expression and is set against a dark, plain background. The lighting creates shadows, emphasizing the contours of his face and arms.

A woman is shown against a dark background, wearing a traditional white headscarf and a white garment with red and orange embroidery. She has dark hair and is looking directly at the camera with a calm expression.

An elderly man with short gray hair is facing the camera. He is wearing a black Reebok jacket with logos on the chest. The background is dark, highlighting the subject's serious facial expression.

A young girl with dark, curly hair and a slight smile is posing against a dark backdrop. She is wearing a navy blue dress with white polka dots, a red ribbon around the waist, and floral patterns on the skirt. The lighting highlights her face and upper body.

Over dit project

Soms is er niet veel nodig om gelukkig te zijn, maar wat als alles van je wordt afgenomen omdat je je huis moet verlaten vanwege oorlog of een natuurramp?

Tijdens je vlucht verlies je je geliefden, je kinderen en zelfs je status. Als leraar, architect, ingenieur, dokter, bouwvakker, tandarts, enz. word je plotseling als ‘vluchteling’ bestempeld. Als individu word je gegroepeerd in een gesloten kamp, levend in onzekerheid in een land dat jouw taal niet spreekt. Van ‘gelukkig’ naar ‘gelukszoeker’. Iedereen in de wereld is van nature op zoek naar zijn eigen geluk, waardoor we allemaal gelukszoekers zijn.

Wat maakt je gelukkig? Ga je naar Frankrijk met je partner en caravan? Het aantal likes op je laatste bericht? Eindelijk uit de ellende van een scheiding? Of gewoon een status hebben, de erkenning dat je bestaat en het recht hebt om hier te zijn?

Voor de vijftig geportretteerden is dat laatste momenteel een prioriteit. Het gevoel van warmte, gezien worden en een veilig bestaan opbouwen. Vrijheid en veiligheid. Dat is de rode draad binnen elk asielzoekerscentrum.

We hebben een Europa gecreëerd waar alles gewoon goed is. Vrijheid, veiligheid en geluk zijn bijna vanzelfsprekend. Anderen moeten er harder voor werken; zij komen van verder weg. Ook zij verdienen het om gezien te worden. Zij moeten gezien worden.

Ontmoet vijftig mensen met dromen, vastberadenheid en levenslust. Kijk naar ze en realiseer je…

Stadsroute

Tegelijkertijd met de tentoonstelling werd een serie foto’s van voormalige migranten tentoongesteld in een stadsroute door Alkmaar (Nederland). In tegenstelling tot asielzoekers kwamen deze mensen hier voor studie, een eigen bedrijf of gewoon een beter leven.

We bezochten en fotografeerden onder andere een barbier uit Suriname, een bloemist uit Oekraïne, een Schot die een typisch Schots restaurant heeft.

A woman in a red sleeveless top, smiling and holding a blue comb near her hair, looks at her reflection in a large mirror. Various hair care products are placed on the wooden counter in front of the mirror, and the background suggests a cozy salon setting.

A woman sits at a sewing machine in a cluttered tailor shop, wearing a green dress and a measuring tape around her neck. A man sits in the background, smiling. The shop is filled with hanging clothes, sewing materials, and various tools.

A person with long hair and glasses sits on an upside-down orange chair in a sunlit room filled with a variety of plants and flowers in pots. The room has shelves with vases and pots, and a window lets in natural light.

A man with white hair and beard sits confidently on a chair inside a cozy, dimly lit pub, wearing a plaid kilt and black shirt. His hands rest on a cane. The pub is decorated with various memorabilia, wooden furnishings, and low-hanging lights.

A woman with glasses is sitting at a table in a cozy pub. She is smiling and wearing a blue blouse with white polka dots. The pub is warmly lit, with various posters and decorations on the red and brown walls. Other tables and a bar are visible in the background.

A man dressed in a dark shirt sits alone at a table in a well-lit, spacious restaurant with wooden beams and a lush, green vine canopy. Surrounding him are tables with white checkered tablecloths, and the ambiance is cozy and inviting.

Two people sit and chat in a warmly lit restaurant with beige chairs and red tablecloths. The walls behind them feature large, colorful murals depicting a scenic coastal village, giving the space a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.

Two men in a clothing store, surrounded by clothes on racks. One man stands on a staircase, while the other sits on the bottom step, wearing a measuring tape around his neck. The store has wooden floors and various hanging garments.

A man with a friendly smile sits in a barber chair inside a modern barbershop. The shop has warm colors, large mirrors, neatly arranged hair products on shelves, and another barber chair in the background. The space has a clean, inviting atmosphere.

Two women stand closely together in front of three large portrait photographs hanging on a brick wall inside a building with high windows. The portraits depict different individuals, and the setting appears to be an art exhibition or gallery. The scene is in black and white.

A person with short, curly hair stands with arms crossed, viewing a large board displaying a world map. Papers with text are pinned around the map, each connected to specific locations with string. The setting appears to be indoors.

A group of people sit at round tables inside a grand, high-ceilinged hall with arched columns and large windows. The black-and-white image captures the space's intricate architectural details and the people engaged in conversation or activities.

A person in military attire stands in the center of a historic, cathedral-like room with tall, arched windows. The individual wears a cap and sunglasses and holds a camera. The room features a large touchscreen display and ornate wooden paneling on the walls.

A black and white image of a diverse group of people seated in a circle inside a large, ornate church. One person stands in the center, speaking or singing, while others play various musical instruments such as guitars and drums. The atmosphere appears communal and artistic.

Black and white photo of three people standing at a buffet table in a large hall with arched ceilings and chandeliers. One woman is serving herself food, a man is holding a plate and bowl, and another woman, wearing a headscarf, is also serving food.

A group of men and women sit in a circle inside an art gallery, engaged in a discussion. Behind them hang large, black-and-white portrait photographs on white walls. The room has tiled flooring and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

A black and white photo captures the interior of a large, historic church with high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and tall pillars. A group of people is seated in a circle in the center, while others are scattered around the space, engaged in various activities.

A group of four men are seated in a semi-circle inside a large, ornate hall with high vaulted ceilings. Three of them are playing stringed instruments, while the fourth man listens. Various drums and percussion instruments are placed on the floor around them.

A spacious room with large windows, featuring a brick interior and high ceilings. Six large portrait photographs are displayed on the walls, showcasing diverse individuals. Sunlight streams through the windows, casting patterns on the floor. A door is visible in the back.

A black-and-white photo shows a group of six smiling people standing close together in what appears to be a kitchen. Several individuals are making peace signs with their hands, while one person leans forward noticeably, holding a phone. The background reveals kitchen equipment.

A gallery room with high ceilings and an antique chandelier features five portrait photographs displayed on a light-colored wall. The portraits depict individuals with varying expressions. Sunlight filters through tall, arched windows, casting shadows on the stone floor.

De afsluitende tentoonstelling

De afsluitende tentoonstelling Gelukszoekers en de stadsroute was een groot succes. Met ongeveer 40.000 bezoekers in drie maanden tijd kun je wel zeggen dat het meer dan geweldig was!

Een verscheidenheid aan mensen met verschillende achtergronden kwam op bezoek en sommigen waren erg onder de indruk van de verhalen en de foto’s. De opening was een groot feest van herkenning met samen eten, praten en muziek maken.
Mensen brachten allemaal iets te eten mee uit hun eigen land.

Feiten:

2016 | De Grote Kerk | Alkmaar, Nederland | Bezoekers Ca. 40.000

Dit project werd mogelijk gemaakt door:

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