Thuisblijvers – 1%

“Stay-at-homes”

A grid of 42 black and white portraits featuring a diverse range of individuals of various ages, genders, and expressions. Some people are smiling, others are serious, and a few are making playful faces. The background is uniformly black in all portraits.

Black and white photo of a young child with light blonde hair, wearing a dark shirt, making a playful face by sticking out their tongue and squinting their eyes slightly. The background is solid black, highlighting the child's expressive gesture.

Black and white portrait of an elderly woman with curly, short hair and a gentle expression. She is wearing a collared shirt and facing the camera against a black background.

Black and white portrait of a smiling person with curly dreadlocks and a beard. The person has a joyful expression. They are shirtless, and a wooden object hangs around their neck. The background is dark, emphasizing their facial features.

Black and white portrait of a woman with light hair styled in a loosely tied back manner. She is playfully posing with pursed lips, her chin resting on the back of one hand, and she is wearing a denim jacket adorned with small studs.

Black and white portrait of an elderly man with a long beard and wild hair. He is wearing a zip-up jacket and has a gentle smile. The background is dark, emphasizing his expressive face.

A black-and-white portrait of a person with shoulder-length hair and earrings, resting their chin on their hand while looking into the camera with a gentle smile. They have a tattoo on their hand and are wearing a tank top. The background is black, creating a stark contrast.

Black and white close-up photo of a smiling child wearing a striped shirt. The child has short hair and dimples, and the background is completely black.

Black and white portrait of a young child with curly, tousled hair. The child has an inquisitive expression and is wearing a sleeveless top with delicate lace trim. The background is completely black, highlighting the child's face and features.

Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with short hair and wearing a collared shirt and a backpack. He is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression, set against a dark background.

A black-and-white close-up photo of a person with Down syndrome, smiling widely. They have freckles and wear their hair in small pigtails, secured with hair ties. They are wearing a hooded jacket over a top, and the background is solid black.

A black and white close-up portrait of a person with curly hair, wearing sunglasses, large over-ear headphones, and a hoodie. They are smiling and looking directly at the camera against a dark background.

Black and white photo of a person with fluffy, spiky hair wearing aviator sunglasses. They are smiling widely and dressed in a checkered shirt. The background is solid black.

A bearded man with a receding hairline looks slightly upwards with a concerned or perplexed expression. He is wearing a black shirt and is set against a black background. The image is in black and white.

Black and white portrait of a person with long, curly hair, looking directly into the camera against a dark background. The expression is neutral and the lighting highlights the texture of the hair and face.

Black and white close-up of a person with curly hair and glasses smiling against a black background. They wear a dark shirt and their face is well lit with a joyful expression.

A young, shirtless boy with an expressive face and tousled hair wears a headband. He holds his hands up near his face, fingers spread wide, as if acting or making a playful pose. The background is black, emphasizing his animated expression and gesture.

A black and white portrait of a person with light skin, straight dark hair, and fringe. They are looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background is completely black, highlighting the person's face and upper shoulders.

A black and white photo of a young child with light hair, looking distressed and crying. The child is wearing a long-sleeved top with ruffles on the shoulders. The background is completely black, making the child's expression stand out prominently.

Black and white portrait of an elderly woman with short, wavy hair, wearing dark sunglasses and a textured cardigan. She is smiling gently at the camera against a black background.

Black and white portrait of a young boy with short hair, wearing a striped shirt. The boy has a neutral expression and is looking directly at the camera against a solid black background.

Black and white photo of a young girl with long blonde hair making a funny face by squishing her cheeks with her hands. She is wearing a short-sleeve shirt and has one eye partially closed while her mouth is twisted into an exaggerated expression.

Black-and-white close-up portrait of a woman with long, wavy hair. She is gazing slightly downward with a subtle, contemplative expression. She is wearing a patterned blouse and layered necklaces, and the background is plain black.

About this project

1 city, 16 villages, 4 hamlets and 110,000 people, that’s Alkmaar!

Every person has their own story, a past that brought them to this place and a future with hopes and dreams. Thuisblijvers collected their faces….and stories. Rick Akkerman photographed 1.100 people, that’s 1% of Alkmaar (Netherlands).

Thuisblijvers was conceived and performed by Rick Akkerman and Hollandse Luchten in response to the difficult corona-period in which loneliness and polarization grew. If anything became clear during that time, it is how important it is for people to come together, meet and share stories. Thuisblijvers literally turned the living rooms in the streets inside out and created intimacy on the street. Local residents were tempted to come out of their homes, share stories and show themselves. Rick made a portrait of everyone, the story catchers engaged in conversation.

Everyone is welcome, everyone participates, that’s Thuisblijvers!

Driving around….

Throughout the summer of 2022, the Thuisblijvers-bus with photographer Rick Akkerman and story catchers Elke de Graaff, Reineke Jonker and Lisa Templon drove through the city. The surrounding villages, such as Graft, De Rijp, Schermer, and Marken, were not forgotten either. In 41 days, the bus visited 72 locations.

Wherever the Thuisblijvers-crew settled, they built an open-air living room. Whether on a square, next to a shop, or sometimes right on the sidewalk, there was coffee and tea, fresh cookies from Brownies & Downies, a comfortable sofa, and an invitation was simple: “Would you like to join us for a cup of coffee?”

The conversations that were held were about all sorts of things. About why you feel at home somewhere, about your past or your future wishes and what special things have happened in this street. After all, isn’t it the everyday moments that lead to the most beautiful conversations?

You can read the all of the stories at www.thuisblijvers.com.

People sit and converse under a wooden structure resembling a house frame, set up outdoors near a white truck. The truck features various artwork and posters. A few buildings and greenery are visible in the background. Various items like chairs and a lamp decorate the area.

A grassy park with a white bench in the foreground, a small wooden structure with people sitting underneath, and a white food truck nearby. There's a yellow playground equipment on the left and a blue playground equipment on the right. Trees and houses in the background.

A group of people gathers at an outdoor neighborhood event. Some are sitting on chairs and sofas under a makeshift tent canopy, chatting and eating. Others are standing and conversing. There are parked cars and residential houses in the background.

A mobile library truck is parked next to an outdoor reading corner with wooden tables and chairs under a pergola. Readers, including adults and children, are seated, enjoying books. A modern red-brick building and green trees are in the background.

An outdoor scene features a white van parked next to a wooden frame resembling a small house. Several people, including children, are seated and standing around the setup under large trees. A multi-story residential building with balconies is visible in the background.

A unique outdoor setup features a minimalistic, open-frame wooden structure with a few chairs and a table, situated beside a river. Two bicycles are parked nearby, and an industrial building is visible across the water under a partly cloudy sky.

People gather under a wooden canopy structure on a cobblestone street. The area is adorned with a Dutch flag, string lights, and a yellow sign reading "Doorgang Verboden Afgezeten". Tables with items are around, and a van is parked nearby amidst a sunny sky.

A peaceful suburban scene featuring two modern, boxy houses made of wood with large windows. In the foreground, a white food truck with an awning has a small seating area. Lush green grass and plants surround the area under a partly cloudy sky.

A group of people sit under a wooden frame resembling a house structure, placed on a quiet street next to a large brick house. They are relaxed on sofas and chairs, with a small table holding drinks nearby. The frame is decorated with string lights and a swing hangs from it.

A group of four people sit at a table under a wooden gazebo with mismatched chairs and vintage lamps hanging above. Nearby, a baby stroller is parked. Behind them, a white truck is visible, parked under the shade of a large tree.

A group of people sits and stands under a wooden frame resembling a house outline, featuring cozy furniture like sofas and chairs, in an outdoor setting. Trucks are parked in the background, and there are trees and greenery around. A scooter is parked nearby.

A group of people are joyfully gathered in an outdoor seating area in front of a building with "TAQA THEATER DE VEST" signage. Some are sitting on couches, while others are standing, all with exuberant expressions and hand gestures suggesting celebration.

A crowded room in an art gallery with many people gathered around, observing a large wall display of black-and-white portraits. The space features high ceilings, white walls, and a chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling.

A large audience seated inside a historic stone cathedral, focusing on a stage where several speakers are seated at a table. The cathedral features high arched ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and intricate wooden and metal designs. A person in a wheelchair is in the foreground.

A black and white photo showing a diverse group of people sitting closely together in an audience. In the forefront, a woman and a man sit with their arms crossed, attentively watching something off-camera. Other audience members appear engaged and reactive.

A person holds a smartphone in a brown wallet case, taking a photo of a black-and-white portrait displayed on a wall filled with similar portraits. The phone's screen shows the captured image, while another person partially appears in the foreground.

A person takes a photo with their smartphone of a large black-and-white portrait displayed on an easel in a gallery. The portrait features an older woman with curly hair and glasses. There is descriptive text about the portrait on a piece of paper next to it.

The closing exhibition

The closing exhibition “1%” of all portraits, a selection of stories, and the screening of the documentary was on display from April 1 to June 2 of ’23. The exhibition was opened by Mayor Anja Schouten, who had also spent an evening in the mobile living room and had her portrait taken by Rick. The opening was well attended, with over 450 people present, and featured a talk show with some notable Alkmaar residents we met during the journey, after which everyone could admire the portraits. We are proud that the exhibition reached more than 30.000 people during its run. The last day of the exhibition was also special; anyone who wished could come and collect their own portrait. This opportunity was widely embraced, making it a day filled with many pleasant encounters and conversations.

Photos of opening by: Dave Weij

Facts:

2023 | De Grote Kerk | Alkmaar, Netherlands | Visitors Approx. 30.000

Numbers: