xxx ♥ – Hang Youth

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Since the 2020 Corona pandemic I started documenting random encounters in the city of Amsterdam. The city I live in and the city I love.

In November 2021 the pandemic hits hard. The much anticipated concert of Dutch band Hang Youth was scheduled the day a stringent Covid lockdown became in force – noticed only two days in advance.

The venue Paradiso pushed the sold-out show to afternoon, just an hour before lockdown. Fans took their chance, unknown when the next opportunity to go out would arise.

Hang Youth billed the afternoon as The Last Show on Earth.

Hang Youth Concert, The Last Show on Earth in Paradiso - documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Concert billed as The Last Show on Earth by Dutch band Hang Youth in Paradiso. The concert has been pushed to the afternoon to meet the COVID-19 lockdown, announced two days before. Stage diving the pit in a sold-out Paradiso.
Amsterdam, November 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Hang Youth Concert, The Last Show on Earth in Paradiso - documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Audience at The Last Show on Earth by Dutch band Hang Youth in Paradiso.
Amsterdam, November 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Hang Youth Concert, The Last Show on Earth in Paradiso - documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Singer Abel van Gijlswijk at The Last Show on Earth by Dutch band Hang Youth in Paradiso.
Amsterdam, November 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Hang Youth Concert, The Last Show on Earth in Paradiso - documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Audience at The Last Show on Earth by Dutch band Hang Youth in Paradiso.
Amsterdam, November 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Hang Youth Concert, The Last Show on Earth in Paradiso - documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Audience on stage at The Last Show on Earth by Dutch band Hang Youth in Paradiso.
Amsterdam, November 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Hang Youth Concert, The Last Show on Earth in Paradiso - documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Audience at The Last Show on Earth by Dutch band Hang Youth in Paradiso.
Amsterdam, November 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Hang Youth Concert, The Last Show on Earth in Paradiso - documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Frontrow audience at The Last Show on Earth by Dutch band Hang Youth in Paradiso.
Amsterdam, November 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni

The concert was a blast.

About the series

In the series xxx ♥ – Amsterdam encounters I document the city through random encounters on the streets and in places, with fellow Amsterdammers.

xxx ♥ – Oosterpark Rollerskating, Amsterdam Encounters

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Documentary photography Amsterdam Encounters – Since the 2020 Corona pandemic I started documenting random encounters in the city of Amsterdam. The city I live in and the city I love.

This is for the people on the streets, in places, going out, wandering, live, protest, celebrate, love & hate, winning & losing, or just be – in the city.

Amsterdam Encounters Oosterpark Rollerskating - Documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Amsterdam Encounters – Femke and Guno at Oosterpark Roller-skating.
Amsterdam, July 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni

Oosterpark Roller Skating

In Oosterpark was Worldwide Rollout Day with the Skate Heroes Dance School present.

Amsterdam Encounters Oosterpark Rollerskating - Documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Amsterdam Encounters – Cosmo and Renda and Guno at Oosterpark Roller-skating.
Amsterdam, July 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Amsterdam Encounters Oosterpark Rollerskating - Documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Amsterdam Encounters – Shadow at Oosterpark Roller-skating.
Amsterdam, July 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni
Amsterdam Encounters Oosterpark Rollerskating - Documentary photography by Bram Belloni
Amsterdam Encounters – Amanda and Abygail at Oosterpark Roller-skating.
Amsterdam, July 2021 – Photo: Bram Belloni

About the series

In the series xxx ♥ – Amsterdam encounters is a documentary photo series in which I document the city through random encounters on the streets and in places, with fellow Amsterdammers.

Marokkaanse Boot in Amsterdam Museum

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The Amsterdam Museum exhibition ‘De Mooiste Stad – Amsterdam door de ogen van Eberhard van der Laan’ is an ode to the city of Amsterdam. Curated by mayor Eberhard van der Laan. This, very sadly, in light of his soon to be pass away.

As guest-curator, Van der Laan chose 80 pieces from the Amsterdam Museum and Stadsarchief (city archive). To show how Amsterdam did cope with previous challenges as fast growing city. And with the intention to open discussion on future ones.

Among the works chosen was an image of the Marokkaanse Boot. Taken during the Amsterdam Pride 2018.

Impression of exhibition Amsterdam door de ogen van Eberhard van der Laan at Amsterdam Museum, featuring the image Marokkaanse Boat by photographer Bram Belloni.
Impression exhibition Amsterdam door de ogen van Eberhard van der Laan at Amsterdam Museum. Middle: photograph titled De Marokkaanse Boot, by Bram Belloni.

With caption reading:

PROUD OF PRIDE – ‘Pride Amsterdam is not so much an event, it is a symbol of the open and tolerant city we want to be. We celebrate the freedom to be ourselves.’ When Van der Laan was mayor he joined the Canal Parade almost every year. This photograph shows the Moroccan boat.

Tearsheet of Dutch news paper Het Parool June 16th, 2018, review exhibition De Mooiste Stad at Amsterdam Museum, featuring image De Marokkaanse Boot by photographer Bram Belloni.
Tear sheet of Dutch news paper Het Parool June 16th, 2018, with review by Geert Mak of exhibition De Mooiste Stad at Amsterdam Museum. Featuring image De Marokkaanse Boot (below, 2nd left) by photographer Bram Belloni. (click for bigger image)

I felt honored that this image was noticed and chosen by ‘my’ mayor – a great mayor and man. And was proud that this specific topic, advocating the freedom to be ourselves, is something the city stands for.