NYC through Dutch eyes
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to be here tonight because in the last couple of days I have been privileged to see so many things produced by Dutch artists world wide. Photography, video, but also Dutch artists of the 17th century. And if you look at our communities in the world today I think the biggest challenge for all of us is to determine our own position. Who are we? Where do we stand? In what continuum are we now and today? What do we need to do to change the society with the huge challenges we face today? Societies are changing so fast that many people have lost their bearings. They don’t know who they are, they don’t know where they come from, and they don’t know where we’re heading.
Gelegenheid: Openingstoespraak foto-expositie ‘Dutch Seen’ (NY400)
If you’re here today, looking at the Hudson exhibition depicting people in the 17th century you get the impression they knew exactly who they were, where they belonged, with an open eye for change. Who had this craving for opportunity, who had this strong zeal to recreate the world in the way they wanted it to be. And if you look at the exhibition Dutch Seen in the other wing of the museum, you will see the work of young Dutch artists who got the opportunity to look at New York and shoot pictures of New York through their eyes. These works of art show you New York ‘prima facie’. If you look again, if you blink once and look again, you will see Holland. You will see who they are, you will see their identity. Because if there’s one thing we need to understand and rediscover, is that you can only define who you are by seeing who you are not. You can only find who you are by seeing what is different, by seeing the world through the eyes of the other.
And this has been a constant element in Dutch art since the 17th century. We had the opportunity to see some amazing works of art of Frick this afternoon. And if you look at the works of Johannes Vermeer and the looks in the eyes of the people looking at the artists, you will see exactly the same looks here at this exhibition, organised by FOAM. If we are to find a way out of our challenges of today; If we are to shape the world according to our values; If we are to stay true to the spirit of the first settlers here in New York, we need to rediscover this craving for the others’ vision, this interest, this openness, this fascination for what is different. In order to shape our world according to our own wishes. And I think if everyone of you takes the time to look at these pictures, you will see an interest, an openness and a craving for opportunity that has been the constant element in 400 years of relationship between New York and the Netherlands.
Please enjoy this exhibition, it is worth your while and I’m very proud to be standing here today on behalf of the Dutch government and tell you: guys, these are really Dutch people making these pictures.
Thank you.