DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY, 2008
Say My Name Rotterdam
This visual intervention foregrounds women in Rotterdam by prominently displaying their portraits. SMNR was made on an architectural scale: XXL images of various women appear in the streets of Rotterdam and amidst the city’s buildings — where the portraits communicate about their lives, demand recognition and their rightful place in the urban environment.
“Love is my battery”
—Rosie
Although she calls Rotterdam ‘home’, Rosie’s visits to her family back in Cameroon are what energize this strong African woman. Each time she returns from Cameroon she returns unstoppable, ready to turn her fire into a passionate pursuit of her professional singing career. Staying close to her family and singing about her own truth keeps her grounded and inspired — ready to battle whatever struggles come her way.
“Without warmth you have no base and without a base you fall apart”
—Samila
“When you get here, you don’t just sit on your lazy ass, you start working so people learn who you are.”
—Dorina
Dancing saved Dorina’s life. It took her from illegal immigrant to self-sufficient hip-hop phenomenon and teacher. Finding herself living in a ‘Blijf van mijn liif huis’ - literally a ‘stay away from my body’ shelter – with her abused mother, and becoming a mother herself at 19 didn’t slow her down. Instead, it made her an advocate for more girls’ activities in South Rotterdam: “Cool stuff saves girls.” No one knows this better than she does.
—Dorina
“My body was screaming for children, but it didn’t match my feelings”
—Emma
At the age of 6 Emma chose to live with her dad and his boyfriend. At 8 she declared she would like to have a career when she grows up. As a young woman in art school she bought vinyl records and experimented with mixing. Growing up around men helped her learn how to deal with a man’s world and now Emma, better known as Monica Electronica, DJs all over the globe. She creates her own music and is known for her remixes. Now she’s 30, she feels she is ready to balance career with having children.
“If you’re still surprised about seeing a veiled woman in Rotterdam, then you must have had your eyes closed for a long time.”
—Alia
Alia’s open and curious mind gives her an air of disarming calm. She began wearing a veil in high school, both in solidarity to a persecuted friend and out of curiosity about the fashion statement it made. From there, Alia has become a proud ambassador for a religion she knows will only be understood if people truly begin to talk to one another and share information directly. To her, the web and the newspapers are filled with discussions about Islamic and Moroccan culture that are full of stereotypes she can’t identify with.
“I’m not done fighting for my daughter.”
—Linsey
Pregnant at 16 by a man now in prison for murder, fighting to survive in the chaotic world of Pendrecht (Rotterdam South), and losing her daughter to foster care — Linsey’s story had only just begun. Instead of giving up, Linsey, now 18, has gotten her own apartment, found herself a job as a cashier in a supermarket, and is determined to battle the system to get her daughter back. Keeping herself busy is what she believes will keep her off the streets and out of trouble.
“Brazilian ladies are way too busy with their looks but Dutch women should enjoy life more, like the Brazilians.”
—Patricia
Patricia knows exactly who she is. She learned Brazilian dancing from her mother, won Rotterdam’s ‘Miss Carnival’ at the age of 22 and then went on to travel the world as a lingerie model. Although she never did enjoy the make up or the high heels, she didn’t fall into any of the pitfalls of the modeling world. Comfortable in her skin, she’s never questioned any of the decisions she’s made. At 28, she’s moving on to become an event organizer and is ready to begin the next stage of her life.
“If you try to solve everything, you loose the mystery of life.”
—Jacqueline
Never having known the true love of her father, Jacqueline’s own losses give her a special connection to the refugees she helps as a student of cultural and social studies. She realizes that people who have lost everything come the closest to knowing themselves. As the women she works with regain their self-esteem they inspire her to feel more confident. By observing their profound strength, she creates personal philosophies that help her heal and find joy in life’s smallest things.
“Break dancing doesn’t choose between boys and girls. The only thing that matters is if your mind is strong enough.”
—Kimi
At 12, Kimi found her purpose in life, she was going to break dance like Aruna (a local break dance heroine). Her determination became her grandfather’s determination and he began driving her to Hiphophouse training center several days a week, sometimes waiting up to 3 hours for her to finish. An athlete himself, her grandfather knew that hip-hop would help Kimi build her self-esteem and create her own identity. Now 16-years-old, she battles and performs as hard as she studies.
“I find it hard to say ‘daddy’ to my father, he never played that role.”
—Özlem
Özlem’s cheerful and positive attitude hides a long and difficult childhood. After her father left the family, her mother became very emotional and physically ill, and began living half the year round in Turkey. Determined, Özlem found a secret weapon - she set goals for herself. Surprisingly, her biggest inspiration is still her parents. Their sadness and love made Özlem to who she is today: a fashion designer, a social worker, and a force of optimism.
- Photography
- Nirit Peled, Dave Hemmingway
- Producition
- lard breebaart, Mamamess
- Graphic Design
- Hans Foks, Vuurrood
- in Collaboration With
- Liane Van Der Linden, Caró van der Pluijm , Karin Akkerhuis, Aruna Vermeulen
- Supported By
- CBK Rotterdam, Rotterdam Cityhall, Kosmopolis, Mondriaan Fonds
