Haagse Kunstenaars

Historic reflections from 1883 to the present What has changed in half a century? How do we experience recreation and relaxation? In each image we see, in different ways, metaphors of the past, present and future. Water plays a central role in our free time activities, during moments of relaxation. For this reason, the setting for this series is a pool which was built in 1883 and which has been brought back to its original style. We can almost see and feel the waters of the 1880s. This shoot took place at ‘De Mauritskade’ in The Hague, the Netherlands, in what is now ‘Caesar Fitness & Spa Resort.’ It was the oldest swimming pool in The Hague and the first covered one in the Netherlands. Officially, it was called ‘s-Gravenhaagsche zwem- en badinrichting Mauritskade’ (The Hague pool and baths Mauritskade). Originally built in 1883, it was restored to its original form in 2013. Flore Zoé “Construction was in full force during the photo-shoot, yet, in between the dust and construction workers, scaffolding and construction material the team and I were able to find the perfect spots for this series of five.”

Historic reflections from 1883 to the present What has changed in half a century? How do we experience recreation and relaxation? In each image we see, in different ways, metaphors of the past, present and future. Water plays a central role in our free time activities, during moments of relaxation. For this reason, the setting for this series is a pool which was built in 1883 and which has been brought back to its original style. We can almost see and feel the waters of the 1880s. This shoot took place at ‘De Mauritskade’ in The Hague, the Netherlands, in what is now ‘Caesar Fitness & Spa Resort.’ It was the oldest swimming pool in The Hague and the first covered one in the Netherlands. Officially, it was called ‘s-Gravenhaagsche zwem- en badinrichting Mauritskade’ (The Hague pool and baths Mauritskade). Originally built in 1883, it was restored to its original form in 2013. Flore Zoé “Construction was in full force during the photo-shoot, yet, in between the dust and construction workers, scaffolding and construction material the team and I were able to find the perfect spots for this series of five.”

The goal was to create a series in which synergy was created between fashion, interiors and people in order to convey a collective story: of going back to basics, back to mother, but in today’s world. From an artistic point of view a sense of well-being was sought. The two female models and the child model share the lead in this series. The exceptionally characteristic setting is complemented by glamorous items of high-fashion. Flore Zoé “This series is a literal ‘reunion’ with Marcel Wanders, as it was the second time I used his interiors as the décor of my series.”

The goal was to create a series in which synergy was created between fashion, interiors and people in order to convey a collective story: of going back to basics, back to mother, but in today’s world. From an artistic point of view a sense of well-being was sought. The two female models and the child model share the lead in this series. The exceptionally characteristic setting is complemented by glamorous items of high-fashion. Flore Zoé “This series is a literal ‘reunion’ with Marcel Wanders, as it was the second time I used his interiors as the décor of my series.”

The beautiful, original rooms of the Military Hospital were the central characters of this series. The former function of the rooms inspired the situations captured by the images. The spaces set the atmosphere and draw people in. An unusual combination of space and people, where tension and eroticism play a role. From today’s perspective, a glimpse of the nuns, who worked and lived there, and the soldiers who were taken care of during WWI and WWII. Flore Zoé “The Military Hospital lays silent and abandoned. I knew this was where I wanted to do this series, as an honour to those who were here.”

The beautiful, original rooms of the Military Hospital were the central characters of this series. The former function of the rooms inspired the situations captured by the images. The spaces set the atmosphere and draw people in. An unusual combination of space and people, where tension and eroticism play a role. From today’s perspective, a glimpse of the nuns, who worked and lived there, and the soldiers who were taken care of during WWI and WWII. Flore Zoé “The Military Hospital lays silent and abandoned. I knew this was where I wanted to do this series, as an honour to those who were here.”

Women, and the way they hide behind make-up throughout the centuries. Does the make-up separate them from the rest or does it make them one of many? In trying to be unique, are we not submitting to mind-numbing uniformity? Flore Zoé: “Both the research and work involved in this series was far more extensive than for others. Studying the faces for symmetry and proportion took a lot of time. As far as I am concerned, this series is not yet complete, I would love to capture so many more!”

Women, and the way they hide behind make-up throughout the centuries. Does the make-up separate them from the rest or does it make them one of many? In trying to be unique, are we not submitting to mind-numbing uniformity? Flore Zoé “Both the research and work involved in this series was far more extensive than for others. Studying the faces for symmetry and proportion took a lot of time. As far as I am concerned, this series is not yet complete, I would love to capture so many more!”

In 2002 Flore Zoé confronted intense grief when she lost a friend to cancer. This extremely challenging time resulted in this series ‘NU!’. It is about a topic we all know we will one day be faced with, death. She tried to illustrate it as something undefeatable, yet not necessarily negative, atrocious or gloomy. Flore Zoé “Throughout the years I made five portraits within this series, three of which I finally selected. These three tell the story, my story, as I saw it in 2004.”

In 2002 Flore Zoé confronted intense grief when she lost a friend to cancer. This extremely challenging time resulted in this series ‘NU!’. It is about a topic we all know we will one day be faced with, death. She tried to illustrate it as something undefeatable, yet not necessarily negative, atrocious or gloomy. Flore Zoé “Throughout the years I made five portraits within this series, three of which I finally selected. These three tell the story, my story, as I saw it in 2004.”