18 Views of the IJsselmeer
Around 1830, the Japanese artist Hokusai made a series of woodblock prints entitled 36 Views of Mount Fujiyama. While Mount Fujiyama indeed features in each of the woodblock prints, the real focus of attention in the 36 Views is on the scenes in the foreground, showing everyday life on and around the mountain in the first half of the 19th century.
Hokusai’s representations of the everyday goings-on around him are merciless and affectionate at the same time. In a light footed style, the countryside and its people are boldly portrayed in all their ugliness and backwardness. On the other hand, Hokusai does not spare the onlooker the hardship and gravity of 19th century existence around Mount Fuyijama. The countryside is what it is because whatever happens there, happens because it needs to. The city scenes, which also feature in this series, are in stark contrast: so unpolished and raw as the countryside is, so refined and civilized is the city. And everywhere, the great white capped volcano appears on the horizon. Hereby, the series is also an indication of greatness, beauty and the connection of the land with its inhabitants. One could see the 36 Views as an alternative travel guide.
The photos shown here are part of an ongoing project entitled 18 Views of the IJsselmeer. They are made with Hokusai’s 36 Views in mind. In the series, the IJsselmeer is both the setting and the element that binds all the scenes. In the foreground are items that evoke admiration, emotion, and in some cases, irritation. And just as with Hokusai, 18 Views of the IJsselmeer can also be regarded as an alternative travel guide, providing images of places that remain in ones memory long after the main attractions are forgotten.