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<b>Artist statement - Love and Connection</b><strong><br>
</strong>The subtle movements and facial expressions that accompany our climate of thought, reflect a precious realness that I experience as both sensitive and universal. When we make an emotional connection with ourselves or with someone else, I see authenticity unveil itself. A natural harmony arises when both elements required to connect – mutual trust and respect – coincide with human nature.<br>
In my autonomous work, I combine intuition with coincidental meetings; strangers who sometimes become close friends. It is my aim to spend real time with the people I meet. The energy of the image manifests itself in the natural surrounding of a person, along with the available light in the room. To discover the potential of love, explore relationships and unravel our own climate of thought, is an endless journey that will inspire me for many years to come.<br>
In my work I try to collect moments of truth and my wish is for you to experience some of the ineffable: that what is too intense to be expressed in words.<br>
<em><br>
<strong>Marleen Noordergraaf</strong> (1977) studied photo journalism and developed her passion for photography while working for a newspaper in South Africa. After establishing herself as a professional photographer with reportages in South Africa and India, she broadened her field of interest by initiating several autonomous projects, which show a more artistic approach of photography. Her work is characterized by personal involvement, disclosing a natural, undisturbed reflection of people and places.<br>
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</em><strong>Autonomous</strong><em><br>
<strong>Vivian</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: Inneraction • Support: Quartier21, cultural institution (Vienna)<br>
<strong>Alexandra</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: Inneraction • Support: Quartier21, cultural institution (Vienna)<br>
<strong>Doz</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: Inneraction • Support: Quartier21, cultural institution (Vienna)<br>
<strong>Momo</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: Inneraction • Support: Quartier21, cultural institution (Vienna)<br>
<strong>Hedy & Linda</strong> (Zwolle, The Netherlands) • Project: The Potential of Love • Support: </em>FOTOGALERIE WIEN and EIKON<em><br>
<strong>Vincenc & Momo</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: The Potential of Love • Support: </em>FOTOGALERIE WIEN and EIKON<em><br>
<strong>Julia & Helmund</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: The Potential of Love • Support: </em>FOTOGALERIE WIEN and EIKON<em><br>
<strong>Two Lovers</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: The Potential of Love • Support: </em>FOTOGALERIE WIEN and EIKON<em><br>
<strong>Hannah-Lisa & Stefan</strong> (Vienna, Austria) • Project: The Potential of Love • Support: </em>FOTOGALERIE WIEN and EIKON<em><br>
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</em><strong>Exhibitions</strong><em><br>
</em><strong>> Featured exhibitions</strong><em><br>
</em><strong>LOVE II</strong> – Being<br>
FOTOGALERIE WIEN (www.fotogalerie-wien.at)<br>
Währinger Straße 59 / WUK, 1090 Vienna, AustriaOpening: Monday, 1 September 2008, 19:00 h<br>
Duration: 2 September – 1 October 2008<font face="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">In this exhibition, 11 artists examine, analyze and encircle love as a state of being. They unite the oddly dissimilar facets of this beautiful and at the same time difficult topic: the extreme happiness, the search for tenderness and respect, intimacy, lust, devotion...<br>
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</font><span class="quote">Marleen Noordergraaf<br>
<strong>The Potential of Love</strong><br>
Noordergraafs photographical journey focuses on the absolute, in reference to R. Barthes 'punctum' of love. As in a mythical narration, Noordergraaf manages to catch the fleeting moments that make the guise of love. After inviting herself into the surroundings of people in love, she slowly dissolves into the background awaiting her chance to capture the ineffable. Her work presents itself as analytic, sensitive, and authentic.<br>
</span><i class="quote">Source: Bilder, fotogalerie wien 230 / 2008<br>
</i><i><strong>Hedy & Linda</strong> (The Netherlands 2007) • Baryta print, 20x30 cm</i><em><br>
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</em><strong>> Previous exhibitions<br>
</strong><strong>RAUM im BILD</strong>: <strong>Inneraction I</strong> – Installation existing of photography, super-8 film and audio. Fotok, Vienna Austria, March 2008. (www.fotok.at)<br>
<strong>I appreciate You</strong> – Theatrical journey with performance, super-8 film, photography and audio. Oerol Festival, Terschelling, The Netherlands, 2007. (www.oerol.nl)<br>
<strong>LoveFirst</strong> – Super-8 movie. The Netherlands, 2006.<br>
<strong>My secret Place</strong> – Theatrical journey with performance, photography, slideshows and audio. Oerol Festival, Terschelling, The Netherlands, 2005. (www.oerol.nl)<br>
<strong>Secret</strong> – Sound installation. The Netherlands, 2005.<br>
<strong>Home</strong> – Photo reportage. The Netherlands, 2004.<br>
<strong>Receive</strong> – Installation with slideshow, writing and audio. The Netherlands, 2003.<br>
<strong>Press photography</strong> – Art festival, South Africa, 2000.<br>
<strong>Life</strong> – Photo reportage. The Netherlands, 1999.<br>
<i><strong>I appreciate You</strong> (The Netherlands 2007) • Still from Super-8 film.</i><br>
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<strong>> About The Potential of Love<br>
</strong><b>The Potential of Love<br>
</b>Since 2004 I am looking for the potential of love in the city of Vienna. It is a journey in which I question existing concepts and beliefs within our love relationships. There seems to be a discrepancy between what we want to experience and what we are in fact experiencing.<br>
From time to time, I spot couples in love and I ask them if they want to spend an evening with me to talk about their relationship. I collect their stories and I take pictures at moments when there seems to be no awareness of my presence. With my camera I try to capture the fleeting moments where feelings of love and connection become evident, as these moments reveal a part of the potential of love. The stories however uncover the inner conflicts that originate from our unexplored concepts and believes on love and relationships. There is an exciting interaction between the images and the stories – both equally important.<br>
I constantly reflect on new methods to present the images and stories in the most complete and profound way. For the <span class="quote">Love II</span> exhibition, a combination of grainy black and white baryta prints and handwritten texts.<br>
> Love diary fragments: Vincenc & Momo | Julia & Axel<br>
<i><strong>Hedy & Linda</strong> (The Netherlands 2007) • Baryta print, 20x30 cm</i><strong><br>
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Vincenc & Momo</strong><br>
"Before I met her, I was afraid of love. I was scared to loose love as soon as I found it. I am still afraid to lose her but I know that my love for her will never be lost and this reassures me."<br>
He carefully chooses his words and when he almost whispers that the mere experience of love makes everything that arises out of this relationship worthwhile to live through, a tear is running down his cheek.<br>
"For the first time I dare to be emotionally naked in a relationship. She knows me because I am able to expose my vulnerability. I think it is beautiful to see how this love is opening me." Vienna, May 2006<br>
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<strong>Julia & Axel</strong><br>
During this encounter, I felt almost invisible because the nature of the conversation between them was so intimate, that it almost seemed impossible to me that I was allowed to be present.<br>
Julia fell in love with another man and she wanted to have a relationship with both of them. Her husband Axel loves her deeply and didn’t want to share her with another man. They manage to talk and listen without accusing one another, fully respecting each others beliefs and values.<br>
It is a tangible beauty in which two hearts become visible through the willingness to remain open for each other. The whole situation was so sensitive that the innocence within the moment appeared magical to me. They put their heads together and closed their eyes until the whole room was filled with a precious silence. Only the soft dancing of the candlelight reminded me that this wasn’t a dream. Vienna, May 2006<br>
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<strong>> About Inneraction<br>
</strong><b>Inneraction<br>
</b><span class="quote">Inneraction</span> reveals the emotional and expressive connection we have with ourselves. Since 2005, I am portraying women who I meet by chance. We spent time together to share our dreams, vulnerability and challenges in life.<br>
I capture them in moments when they are connected to their hearts. Their facial expressions reveal part of their sensitive and passionate character.<br>
Since 2008 I have combined these photographs with Super-8 film and audio. The Super-8 film is projected on the photograph (150 x 100 cm), where both film and photograph show the same woman. The projection creates a three-dimensional effect that implies a fysical presence and draws the viewer into an intimate closeness with the portrayed woman.<strong><br>
</strong><i><strong>Still from Inneraction I</strong> (2008) • Photography, Super-8 film and audio</i><br>
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</em><strong>Reportages</strong><em><br>
<strong>San people</strong> (Schmidsdrift, South Africa) • Project: Dancing Dust • Publication: Marie Claire (South Africa)<br>
<strong>Kliptown Market</strong> (Soweto, South Africa) • Project: Sunrise • Publication: Sowetan Newspaper (South Africa)<br>
<strong>Bangelore</strong> (South India) • Project: Traditional Games • Client: NCDO (The Netherlands)<br>
<strong>Madras</strong> (South India) • Project: Families • Client: Terre des Hommes (The Netherlands)<br>
<strong>Boarding School</strong> (South India) • Project: Go-Getter • Client: Terre des Hommes (The Netherlands)<br>
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</em><strong>Portraits</strong><em><br>
<strong>Rebecca Bijker</strong> • Publication: IS • Client: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br>
<strong>Marike Jager</strong> • Publication: IS • Client: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br>
<strong>Patrick Lodiers</strong> • Publication: IS • Client: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br>
<strong>Cindy Pielstroom</strong> • Publication: IS • Client: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br>
<strong>Jansi</strong> • Publication: IS • Client: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br>
<strong>Jan Douwe Kroeske</strong> • Publication: IS • Client: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br>
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</em><strong>Art Projects</strong><em><br>
</em>As artistic director of the foundation Openblik (Openview) I develop interactive art projects that typically involve the participation of children and adults. In my art projects I explore new methods of communication, stimulating others to express that what is of importance to them. Using photography, film, sound and interactive media, I try to interpret the beauty of personal expression in every day live.<br>
At present I am working on a new community art project called ‘Ik Laat Jou Zien’ (I Will Make You See). It’s about detailed and intimate observations of people seen through the eyes of children and adults. Can we communicate our appreciation of those around us in a personal and intimate way? The results of the projects will be exhibited at the 2007 edition of the Oerol festival, the international 8mm festival and the SHOOT-ME film festival in The Netherlands.<br>
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<b>Mijn Geheime Plek</b> (My Secret Place)<br>
In 2005 I closed a secret pact with 115 children of the North Sea island Terschelling, which forms the natural stage of the European theatre festival Oerol. Together we explored the importance of having ones own secret place. The adventure resulted in a magical exhibition held on eight (secret) locations on the island.<br>
The children photographed their own secret place to inspire others to remember the ones they had as a child. Some of them allowed me to (blindfolded) visit their secret place where I could take some macro shots that would add to the adventurous nature of a secret place. Seven of the children recorded an audiotape, telling their audience about the reasons for having a secret place.<br>
During the festival, passers-by received a personal performance and were handed a map, which helped them find the secret locations of the exhibition.<br>
The pictures shown here are just a small part of the total collection of secret place photographs that the children and me made during our adventure. More impressions will become available at the future Openblik website.<br>
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<em><strong>My Secret Place</strong> (Oerol Festival, The Netherlands)<br>
Top: Secret Place Jan-Thijs (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Arco (Arco)<br>
Top: Secret Place Jan-Thijs 2 (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Arent (Arent)<br>
Top: Secret Place patrick (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Dieder (Dieder)<br>
Top: Secret Place Tijs (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Johan (Johan)<br>
Top: Secret Place Max (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Mark (Mark)<br>
Top: Secret Place Max 2 (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Rinske (Rinske)<br>
Top: Secret Place Bart (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Steyn (Steyn)<br>
Top: Secret Place Bart 2 (MN) • Bottom: Secret Place Tijs (Tijs)<br>
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</em><font face="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><b>Copyright notice<br>
</b>All rights, including copyright, in the contents of these web pages, including all photography, are owned or controlled for these purposes by Marleen Noordergraaf. In accessing Marleen Noordergraaf's web pages, you agree that you may only download the content for your own personal non-commercial use. You are not permitted to copy, broadcast, download, store (in any medium), transmit, show or play in public, adapt or change in any way the content of these web pages for any other purpose whatsoever without the prior written permission of Marleen Noordergraaf.<br>
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<b>Credits<br>
</b>Design and production: <a href="http://www.beelders.nl">Beelders</a> - graphic communication, The Netherlands.<br>
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<b>Key words</b></font><br>
Marleen Noordergraaf, marleen noordergraaf photography, photography marleen noordergraaf, marleen noordergraaf photographer, photography, photographer, fotografie, fotograaf, fotograve, fotographie, fotograph, professional photography, personal involvement, disclosing, natural, undisturbed, reflection, people, places, to catch the ineffable, amersfoort, the netherlands, reportage, south africa, india, portrait, portraits, IS, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rebecca Bijker, Marike Jager, Patrick Lodiers, Cindy Pielstroom, Jansi, Jan Douwe Kroeske, Paul Rosenmöller, autonomous, <em>vienna, austria, zärtlichkeit, tenderness, </em>art projects, artprojects, art, oerol, oerol festival, terschelling, my secret place, mijn geheime plek, appreciation, waardering, ik waardeer je, Tillefoan, Oerol, children, kinderen, openblik, ogenblik, open blik, <a href="http://www.stichtingopenblik.nl">stichting openblik</a>, stichting open blik, michiel stoop, beelders.<font face="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><br>
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© 2011 Marleen Noordergraaf</font>
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