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 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.
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.
Last month the I Am Gay and Muslim
project was involved in a lot of activities. Chris visits various
international film festivals for the documentary and the photo series is
on display in two exhibitions.
I Am Gay and Muslim documentary Banned in Kyrgyzstan
The film documentary makes its way well through the festival circuit. After festival screenings in South Africa, Italy, USA and Portugal, Chris went to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where the film was programmed as closing film at the Bir Duino film festival.
Kyrgyz military prevents screening I Am Gay and Muslim documentary at Bir Duino film festival. September 28th, 2012, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
What should have been the first screening in an Islamic country turned out otherwise. The film got banned by the Prosecutor General’s office after the Kyrgyz State Committee on Religious Affairs determined it to be “extremist,” “offensive to Muslims,” and “inciting interreligious hatred”.
On October 6th there was the opening of the Gay & Muslim Exhibition at Mooiman Gallery, Groningen. This gay and Muslim themed exhibition features the photo series (and film) next to the works of Dutch photographer Diana Blok and Secret Garden Foundation.
Exhibition Gay & Muslim, Mooiman Gallery. October 6th – November 26th, 2012, Groningen
The combination of our series and the series See Through Us by Diana Blok (portraits and stories of gay women/men and transsexuals in Turkey) works very well and i am thrilled because i was a fan of this series from the start.
A review in Dagblad van het Noorden, Dutch regional newspaper, on October 8th, 2012:
Review exhibition Gay & Muslim, Dagblad van het Noorden – October 8th, 2012 (click for bigger image)
Gay & Muslim Exhibition October 6th – November 26th 2012 Mooiman Gallery, Groningen > website Mooiman Gallery
I Am Gay and Muslim photo series at Pride Photo Award 2012
At last, but not least, there was the Pride Photo Award 2012, for which the I Am Gay and Muslim project was rewarded with a special mention. The Pride Photo Awards focuses on LGBT-issues and gathers a lot of attention on the subject with a exhibition in the Oude Kerk and huge displays throughout the city (on no less than seven locations!).
Exhibition winners Pride Photo Award 2012 at Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam. Middle; the project I Am Gay and Muslim by Chris Belloni and Bram Belloni (Photography). Right; project Moms and gays by Diederick Habermehl. Amsterdam, September – November 2012.Exhibition winners Pride Photo Award 2012 at NDSM Werf, Amsterdam. Right; the project I Am Gay and Muslim by Chris Belloni and Bram Belloni (Photography). Left; project Moms and gays by Diederick Habermehl. Amsterdam, September – November 2012.I Am Gay and Muslim project, opening exhibition Pride Photo Award 2012. Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, September 28th, 2012. Photo: (c) Wim SalisI Am Gay and Muslim project, opening exhibition Pride Photo Award 2012. Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, September 28th, 2012. Photo: (c) Wim Salis
Besides exhibition of winners, there was also a side-programme to bring up discussion like Meet & Greets with the makers and the incorporation of the PPA in other events like De Donkere Kamer.
Pride Photo Award Meet & Greet, with makers I Am Gay and Muslim, Chris & Bram Belloni. Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, October 14th, 2012.
Congrats to all winners, who made this year’s PPA one of surprisingly diversity!
Pride Photo Award 2012 Exhibition September 29th – October 28th 2012 Oude Kerk, Amsterdam > website Pride Photo Award
read more on the award and see the winners > on Le Journal de la Photographie – which, btw, also features ours here (with many thanks to Christian Caujolle!)
Parallel to the film documentary I am Gay and Muslim, i made a photo series of the men who are in the film or contributed to it.
With this photo document we wanted to create an opportunity where they can show themselves, in addition to the many dilemmas young, gay Muslims are struggling with in their quest for identity and acceptance by society.
The series is commissioned by the producer of the film, Dutch foundation Stichting art.1.
Some pictures who made it through the final selection and are in exhibition -for now- at screenings of the film:
Morocco, Marrakech, 31 October 20Rayan, Sebastien – Marrakech, Morocco October 2011, Bram Belloni for Stichting art.1
Brahim – Rabat, Morocco February 2012, Bram Belloni for Stichting art.1
Azar – Rabat, Morocco December 2011, Bram Belloni for Stichting art.1
