'No' Title (2012)

I wanted to do a project about the Dutch nobility. Why did I choose this subject ? Because both my grandfather, after whom I am named, and my mother are of the nobility. I am not. Because of the fact that this subject does not seem to play a role in my life. Because I realized that I do not know much about nobility. Because I am curious about what nobility actually entails. What does it mean nowadays? I started by making appointments with people who know my family and know me. We talked about all sorts of things. I wanted to get closer and catch the essence. But I was dealing with a group of people who would rather not be photographed. If you are from the nobility you keep it to yourself. You don’t make it public to everyone. How can I make portraits of a group of people who would rather not participate? “The enigmatic aspect of nobility is in the grey area of objective traits and perception”, writes Ileen Montijn. During my quest, I attended a funeral where there were a lot of people of nobility. I felt a distinct atmosphere. The clothes, the heads, the group exuded something. And suddenly I saw it. Recently I had seen pictures made by a Polaroid SX70. A camera which looks like a stylish leather cigar box. This is what it should be. A charming, old fashioned camera which instantly produces photographs. No reason for mistrust, because the person who was photographed could, on the spot, say if they liked the picture or not. No big camera in between myself and my subject. Proximity, but the quality of the photographs is picturesque and detached. The distance which is appreciated so greatly by this group of people.