From 13 September to 3 November, Breda will host the 11th edition of the biennial BredaPhoto Festival, the largest photographic exhibition in the Benelux. Side by side with young talents, top photographers will show their views on festival theme Journeys in industrial buildings, churches, residential houses, parks and the rugged development area ’t Zoet.
Dutch Design Daily highlights a number of Dutch participants during the festival period. Today: Adelheid Roosen & Leendert Vooijce.
Every person carries vulnerable life issues, damage or trauma. Often these stories are not shared with anyone for fear of being judged. Adelheid Roosen (theatre maker) and Leendert Vooijce (artist) give shape to the desire to share them and to be each other’s witnesses.
The French-Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas argues that identity is not formed in isolation, but precisely in relation to the other. Our identity is confronted and challenged by the presence of the other. This encounter is not just a random interaction, but the fundamental basis for ethics and the emergence of identity.
‘I am free only in the face of the Other.’ With this philosophical thought as the ground under their feet, Adelheid and Leendert embarked on the investigation of how to give form to their personal and vulnerable life themes in connection with the Other. Accompanied by 22 truth-loving people from Breda, brought together in pairs for this project, they all witnessed the ‘journey’ of others. How does an encounter with a former stranger lead me to a deeper understanding of myself? What kind of mirror is given to me? Do I dare to share, express and visualise my damage through the eyes of the other?
In ‘Through the Eyes of the Other,’ an installation of photography, poetry and video, they open up to each other and to the visitor. The artists hope to encourage you to find a testimony that really concerns you.
