Tobias de Haan
Internship: Simon Roberts
Read Thesis
www.tobiasdehaan.net
De Kloof is a walk-in house for people who are experiencing homelessness in Amsterdam (NL), situated in the souterrain of a monumental building at the canals of the city. While it remains unseen by many, its activity plays a fundamental role in the life of most of the daily visitors. In this function, De Kloof, amongst other walk-in houses, establishes itself as one of the last possible places to turn to, for those who have nowhere else to go.
The on-going work is made in a year of volunteer work with an aim to contribute to this community through visual language. The resulting video-installation explores the complex and dynamic world inside De Kloof, told through recorded one-on-one conversations, in which visitors, employees, and volunteers share their connection with the place. The photographs are established through collaboration, functioning to highlight the voices of people who are experiencing homelessness.
The created space functions to present an insight, asks attention and advocate recognition to the unseen community of De Kloof.
Iulian creates his images with his tablet, which he got with the help of De Regenboog Groep. A lot of time is put in the work he makes, waiting for the right moment and in editing the image. For Iulian, photographing is a method to calm down and disconnect from the rush of the city. With his work, he is finding ways to emphasize a feeling of positivity and aliveness.
Photography: Iulian
Text & edit: Tobias de Haan
Rick photographs the city of Amsterdam daily, using his phone. With this, he seeks to find unique moments, which go unnoticed for the average passer-by. Catching moments that exist briefly, as an attempt to slow down in the ever-changing city environment.
Photography: Rick Webb
Text & edit: Tobias de Haan
Tout ouïe, j’entendais son orchestre et le vent était le chef d’ochestre, comme spectateurs la création et un couple d’amoureux, les visages d’arbres charmaient par la mariée de la fontaine en les accompagnants avec une flûte traversière, je suis enchanté....
All ears, I heard his orchestra and the wind was the conductor, as bystanders the creation and a few lovers, the faces of the trees charmed by the fountain’s fiancée, accompanying them with a flute, I am enchanted....
Photography & text: Jacques Vedel
Edit: Tobias de Haan
Yousef is born and raised in Amsterdam, and became a regular visitor of De Kloof recently. With participating in this project, he wanted to take the opportunity to show his city in a different way than it is usually presented. Yousef’s images show him patiently wandering, allowing time to pass and wait for the photograph to present itself.
Photography: Yousef Ibrahim
Text & edit: Tobias de Haan