Cees Noort

Twenty years ago, Noort visited an exhibition by Eva Besnyö at Museum Kranenburgh. Besnyö portrayed, among others, Charley Toorop and her husband John Fernhout during the time they lived in Bergen. This special exhibition was the source of inspiration for the Kunstkoppen series in 2004. The series became a document of that time, capturing a variety of artists. At that time, the artists gathered in Bergen in a group called Jonge Wilden. Etcher and graphic artist Hans van Draanen was the first Kunstkop to be photographed. Jeroen de Carpentier, Jos Peperkamp, Harald Vlugt, Nico van Stralen, Thé Lau, Sjoerd Kuiper, Adriaan van Dis, Simeon ten Holt, Joost Zwagerman, Youp van ‘t Hek, and many others followed. Mart Min was photographed for his paid account, a mural in Café de Taverne. Noort said, ‘It was fantastic; this series is a kind of tribute to that time.’

Cees Noort was born and raised in Bergen. His father was an architect and art collector. Artist friends Wiegman, Ten Holt, Min, and De Carpentier often paid with artworks. Art was everywhere around Noort as he grew up, at home and in the village. The pubs in Bergen were meeting places for the artists, who engaged with each other and inspired one another. KunstenaarsCentrumBergen was located in the center, and the openings of the exhibitions were grand celebrations. Noort said, ‘It would be good if art in Bergen received the appreciation it deserves again. Bergen would not be Bergen without art and artists.

Now, 20 years later, he is completing the Kunstkoppen series for the photo exhibition at Landgoed Het Hof, featuring a diversity of artists who are either from Bergen or connected to it. Noort said, ‘The first series was shot on analog film, 4 by 5 inches, very classic. The artists really had to stand for it, and then you get the portraits that look right back at you. The series I’m creating now, with the help of my photographer friend Kees Rijken, features mainly artists I didn’t know well before. Not just established artists but also young artists, whom I photograph on location. Carolien van der Heijden, John Breed, Hellen van Meene—there is a broad group of internationally known artists active in and around Bergen. Not only visual artists but also musicians, photographers, and writers. For example, Luuk de Haan photographs uniquely geometric light forms and amplifies the unwanted side effects of digital photography. These effects become an essential medium in the production of his images. I photographed Steven de Peven at ‘the new beach of Bergen.’ My grandchildren Julia and Matthieu Schellekens will also be featured in the exhibition. Charlotte Caspers is not only a restorer; she showcases her love for color in her artworks. A coffee table magazine will be published alongside the exhibition, which is co-curated by Roy Kahmann from Kahmann Gallery.

Photographer Jaap Schoen gave Noort a Leica camera when he applied for a job with him 60 years ago. He was tasked with returning a week later with a photograph. Noort took a picture of Dini, his wife, producer, and business partner, and was hired. Over the years, he exhibited various series in and around Bergen, including Fathers and Sons and Men of Bergen. Outside of Bergen, he exhibited his works in the Heineken Gallery, at Sony, and at Schiphol Airport, where he exhibited alongside Jos Peperkamp and where Carel and Mathilde Willink opened the exhibition. In this photo exhibition, Cees Noort pays tribute to his hometown and the many artists who bring color to Bergen.