Visit time: 30 - 60 minutes
Thijs Wolzak made the photographic series Human Interior for the NRC Handelsblad newspaper. Two questions from the captions that many hundreds of thousands of readers must have pondered were: ‘How many Ikea products do you own?’ and ‘What would you save from a fire?’ The photographs centre around the residents and their interiors, and each one asks: who is this resident and to what extent is the resident also his/her interior? Wolzak looks into people’s homes, allowing us to see into their souls.
Speechless
During his visits, Wolzak was often speechless: he saw how far people go in constructing a home, furnishing their own living space, building their nest. What often seems surprising or even absurd to the viewer is self-evident to these residents, the only logical choice.
Book
Photographer Thijs Wolzak chose the term Human Interior for the project, which, in addition to this exhibition, also consists of an accompanying book. This 120-page book will be published on 13 October by Lecturis, with text contributions by Arnon Grunberg and Coen Simon. Retail price €29.95.
Curator’s note
Design Museum Den Bosch showcases the social significance of design in its exhibitions. And where is this significance greater than in our most intimate living environment: our own homes? Through the exhibition and various activities, we want to encourage visitors to think not only about other people’s interiors, but also about the choices and motives in their own habitats.
With thanks to
The exhibition Inside with Thijs Wolzak has been made possible thanks to Het Cultuurfonds – Noord-Brabant, IKEA Netherlands, Rabobank ‘s-Hertogenbosch en Omstreken, Kossmann.dejong, Neef Louis Design – Amsterdam, NRC Handelsblad, VOF Vogtländer & Van Arum, Karel Boersma, Nina Graziosi, and Bjarne Mastenbroek.
Results of the Inside Look Photo Competition!
As part of the exhibition Inside View with Thijs Wolzak, Design Museum Den Bosch organised a photo competition. The assignment? Take a photo of yourself in your interior. We were looking for interiors that the residents themselves considered special. So it wasn’t just about the beautiful picture, but especially about the story behind it. What unique choices were made? And why does this interior suit the resident so well?
After careful consideration, the jury, consisting of Thijs Wolzak, Fredrik Baas (curator) and Timo de Rijk (director of Design Museum Den Bosch), declared the photo below the winner. The photo was taken by Rene Verwijs. From the jury report: ‘The photo has the limitations of a mobile phone, but is otherwise fine. It is a bit dark, but that seems to suit the interior, and you can see everything clearly. Both residents are in the picture, so it has been carefully considered. The pose is somewhat posed but fits in well with the layout of the interior. The interior has its own atmosphere and everything looks as if it is there for a reason. Eclectic seems an understatement in this case! It is an undeniably quirky interior in a well-considered photo, and that makes it the winner.’ As a prize, Rene’s interior will be photographed by Thijs Wolzak. That photograph will be on display at the Design Museum Den Bosch until the end of the exhibition.
The winners of second and third place also deserve a place in the spotlight. On the left is Marly van de Griendt’s entry, about which the jury said: ‘Perhaps the best photo in terms of lighting, angle and pose. Technically, there is little to criticise. Artistically/in terms of content, however, the photo is a little straightforward. The interior is as eclectic as can be, with a sculpture, jukebox and a telephone box in the garden. The table is unusual and arouses curiosity. Despite the eclectic mix, all the elements are very recognisable on their own: deer head, jukebox, egg chair, statue of Mary.” On the right is Xandra Vellekoop’s entry, about which the jury said: “The photograph is not technically perfect, and there were more exciting entries in terms of artistic merit and content; the interior has a rather eighties feel to it. Nevertheless, the austerity of the interior is intriguing. The occupant does not make things easy for herself. It seems as if she uses her home to impose restrictions on herself rather than as a pleasant place to relax. That is fascinating. The pose is somewhat awkward, but this makes it appear honest.”
