Hometown exhibition

(English below)

Na een aantal weken het wat rustiger aan te hebben gedaan, is het tijd voor iets nieuws.
In het weekend van 31 januari exposeer ik in mijn eigen dorp—het dorp waar ik ben opgegroeid en waar ik nu woon.

Op een prachtige locatie, de voormalige Meisjesschool in Bovenkarspel, waar ik ook mijn studio heb, zal ik het hele weekend mijn werk exposeren.
De expositie toont beelden uit mijn boekproject Where the Spirit Meets the Bone, samen met een introductie en experimenteel werk uit mijn huidige project In Search for Nijinsky. Daarnaast presenteer ik een tweeluik getiteld Treading Water, alles verbonden door het overkoepelende thema Inner Movement.

Het is de eerste keer dat ik in mijn eigen dorp exposeer, en eerlijk gezegd vind ik het een beetje spannender dan normaal.
Misschien is dat ook de reden dat ik het zo lang heb uitgesteld. Toch ben ik blij met deze beslissing—mijn werk komt mooi tot zijn recht tegen de oude muren van de school. De ruimte voegt echt iets bijzonders toe en is een van de weinige plekken in ons dorp die beschikbaar zijn voor kunstenaars.
Dat ik 17 jaar lang mijn theaterschool in dit dorp heb gerund, maakt het extra speciaal om hier nu te exposeren.

Vernissage:
31 januari
19:00–21:00

Te bezoeken:
1 & 2 februari
12:00–17:00

Adres: Hoofdstraat 201, Bovenkarspel - Atelier op de 1e verdieping (geen lift)
(Parkeren aan de achterkant en station Bovenkarspel - Flora op 5 minuten loopafstand)

After taking it a bit easier for a few weeks, it's time for new things again.
On the weekend of January 31st, I’ll be exhibiting in my own village—the place where I grew up and where I still live.

At a beautiful location, the former Girls' School in Bovenkarspel, where I also have my studio, I’ll be showcasing my work throughout the weekend.

The exhibition features images from my book project Where the Spirit Meets the Bone, alongside an introduction to and experimental work from my current project In Search for Nijinsky. Additionally, I’ll be presenting a diptych titled Treading Water, all connected by the overarching theme of Inner Movement.

This is the first time I’m exhibiting in my own village, and I must admit, it feels a little more exciting than usual.
Perhaps that’s also why I’ve postponed it for so long. Still, I’m glad I made this decision—the work fits well within the old walls of the school. The space adds a unique atmosphere and is one of the few places available to artists in our village.

Having run my theater school in this village for 17 years makes it feel even more special to exhibit here now.

Vernissage:
January 31
19:00–21:00

Open to visit:
February 1 & 2
12:00–17:00

Address: Hoofdstraat 201, Bovenkarspel - Studio on the 1st floor (no elevator)
(Parking at the back and Bovenkarspel - Flora station within 5 minutes walking distance)

Update about my Exhibition 'Inner Movement': Two upcoming events!

August 10 | Photo Book Table with Wies den Ouden | Self Publishers United

I am thrilled to announce an event that I've been organizing in collaboration with Self Publishers United and atelier K84. If you have a passion for photography and dream of turning your work into a book, you won't want to miss this.

Event Details:

Join us on Saturday, August 10, from 15:00 to 17:00 at Atelier K84 (Keizersgracht 84, Amsterdam) for an inspiring afternoon. We have the pleasure of hosting a lecture by Wies den Ouden, who will share the fascinating story of how she co-founded Self Publishers United. Her love for unique photo books is contagious, and she'll be diving into the nitty-gritty of self-publishing your own book.

What makes this event truly special is the opportunity to engage directly with Wies during a Q&A session. It's not every day that you get to learn from someone with such a rich background in self-publishing, and I can't wait to hear her insights and advice.

As a bonus, we’ll have a variety of books from members of Self Publishers United available for you to browse and purchase. This is a great chance to see some beautiful work and maybe even take home a new treasure for your collection.

Admission is free, and we’ll be serving coffee and tea to keep things cozy and welcoming. While entry is free, I do ask that you register through the link to help us manage numbers.

If you’re in the area, the exhibition will be open from 12:00 on the same day, so you can make the most of your visit.

I’m genuinely excited about this event and believe it will be a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in photography and self-publishing. I look forward to seeing you there and sharing this inspiring afternoon together.

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August 30 | Live Music, Spoken Word, and Dance Performance | Sarah van Eijk & Saskia de Vries

I am incredibly excited to share an event that promises to be a truly unique experience, blending live music, spoken word, and dance performance. Violinist Sarah van Eijk and performance artist Saskia de Vries are collaborating on a live performance inspired by the themes and images of the photo exhibition 'Inner Movement'.

Event Details:

On Saturday, August 30, from 16:00 to 17:00 at Atelier K84 (Keizersgracht 84, Amsterdam), we will witness a captivating interplay of sound and movement that brings the exhibition's images to life in a powerful and unique way.

This is not just a performance; it is an experience you won’t want to miss.

When? Saturday, August 30, from 16:00 to 17:00

Where? Atelier K84, Keizersgracht 84, Amsterdam

Admission: Free, including coffee and tea

I believe this event will deeply resonate with anyone who appreciates the cross-pollination of different art forms and the profound emotions they can evoke. The exhibition will also be open for visits from 12:00 onwards on the same day, so feel free to explore it before the performance begins.

I look forward to sharing this unforgettable experience with you.

About Saskia de Vries

Saskia Johanna de Vries (1996) is afgestudeerd als professioneel danseres en beweegt mensen net zo lief met haar woorden. Ze bracht een eigen zine uit, publiceerde in bundels en treedt op met spoken word. Haar werk belichaamt dat wat zich eigenlijk niet in woorden laat vangen, maar gehuld in een vleugje eigenzinnigheid probeert ze het toch.

About Sarah van Eijk

Sarah is een veelzijdige zangeres en violiste die begon met viool spelen op 7-jarige leeftijd. Ze studeerde klassieke viool in Vicenza en Groningen, waar ze ook jazz ontdekte. Ze stapte over naar Jazz Vocals en studeerde in 2022 af aan het Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Sarah heeft in diverse interdisciplinaire projecten opgetreden en is nu actief in de band EUPNEA.

Review in a German Magazine: Dance for You Magazine

Dance for You Magazine is a German Magazine. I was very pleased and happy with the review of my book by Volkmar Draeger. Translation in English below.

Englisch translation

BOOK: "Where the Spirit Meets the Bone"

Monique Belier's Body Impressions

Monique Belier seeks those fleeting moments in the transition between movements when dancers are unaware of their actions. In one of her bass-colored commentaries on otherwise empty pages. "Where the Spirit Meets the Bone." The title, inspired by a poem from the late American poet Miller Williams, who passed away in 2015, encapsulates Belier's artistic essence—connecting mind and body, depicting the essence of human movement, and narrating stories through the language of the body.

A 2023 graduate of the Photo Academy in Amsterdam, Monique Belier reassures viewers that she, like a young farmer adapting to nature, captures the essence of the moment. Her photographs are not posed but rather capture fragmented moments, dissolving into unique body parts. Some shots evoke the spontaneity reminiscent of François Truffaut's "Wild Child," whether it's the flowing hair in the breeze or the tense stillness within the growing grass. The body, always integrated into its surroundings, appears against the backdrop of a woodland or a masonry. Hands speak, bodies bend and twist, legs stretch between the ground and a tree, and one foot connects with the earth while another points toward an object, telling a story of shattered narratives.

The portrayed subjects wear clothes, yet the focus is not on the attire but on the ritual's revelation. The photographer captures what is essential, uncovering the nuances revealed in "Tanzer am Strand" or the woman pressing against a peeling wall in "Elea." Belier's double-blessed photos, predominantly in black and white, offer a photographic panorama of discreet sensitivity. The book, featuring almost 120 illuminated pages and showcasing nearly 50 photos, spans a range of moods, from contemplation to agitation, encapsulating the diverse forms of expression that characterize Belier's work.

In this collection, Belier, connected to the third decade of the 21st century, brings forth the essence of the past two decades. The photographs, arranged with a keen sensibility, convey a variety of expressions. The book, a testament to Monique Belier's artistry, invites viewers to delve into the silent stories captured behind the lens.

Volkmar Draeger

My book at Foam!

I was very happy and proud to receive an email from Lotte Klösters, the manager of the Bookshop at Foam (Foto Museum Amsterdam) that they wanted to add my book ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ to their collection of books. Something that was on my wishlist for a while.

Monochrome Photography Awards 2024

Very happy to announce that my submission is rewarded with an Honorable Mention in the Professional Conceptual Category from the Monochrome Photography Awards (international Black & White Photography Contest.

Go to the: Winners Gallery

The best according to PS (Parool, newspaper)

I found my work in the Dutch Newspaper this weekend!

English translation of the article: In this exhibition, which is composed of photographs from her graduation project, Belier focuses on the body as a means to express thoughts and feelings, just as a dancer can convey inner feelings in a dance. The exhibition also includes a photo book with the same title

till 12 November, Café de Engelbewaarder

Publication in the Dansdocent.nu Magazine

Just before I graduated from the Photo Academy I had this beautiful, large publication in the Dansdocent.nu Magazine!

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Hands of Linde Wagemakers

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Lena Niessen

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Kevin Croes

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linde Wagemakers

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Alkis Barbas

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Saskia de Vries

A Portrait in Playboy

For an interview in Playboy with André Dongelmans (Dutch Actor, Artist) They used a Portrait I took for my project: Small Town Boy.