OpZicht: Yamuna Forzani

12 October - 3 January 2017
Location: Hogewal 1-9, The Hague
Open:
Monday - Friday, 11-5 pm; Saturday - Sunday, 12-5 pm (closed Sunday 25 thru Tuesday 27 December and Sunday 1 January)

Thursday 24 November 2016, 16-18 hrs
Yamuna Forzani Tea Party & Book Launch
See album on facebook

OpZicht is a presentation space in the lobby of Stroom Den Haag for newly registered artists from The Hague. The wall unit functions as a stand or platform where the artist can share his or her work, passion or interest with the audience. Each presentation runs for approximately 7 weeks.
Archive OpZicht presentations 2013-present

Text by Yamuna Forzani herself:

I want to live in a queer utopia. The world I am fighting for is where we stop making assumptions about everything - where we allow people to self narrate their bodies. I think that is a profoundly radical act.

I think gender evolution is really important and society needs to get rid of binaries and embrace the spectrum. I think it is vital that one is willing to ask questions in order to work on shifting the way we think about how people identify. I am still learning and unlearning a lot of things. During my graduation from the fashion and textile department of the KABK (Royal Academy of Art The Hague), I wrote my thesis on the ‘future of gender' and my conclusion was that I don't really know what the future of gender is, but I wanted to create my notion of a utopia and that is why I put my name on it. I don't think this is the right answer, it's just my answer.

I feel that the concept of a classic fashion show and fashion collection is outdated, I reject this elitist, esoteric approach. I create my own catwalk and my own collections. Where I cast my friends who are my real inspiration, open-minded people with their own personalities and attitudes.

I am a strong believer in the power of collaboration. I feel that when people come together it creates something bigger than ourselves, something greater than one's own ego. If you can find the right connections and balance there are boundless possibilities. Fighting alone can be consuming and draining and it's easy to burn out.

For this project I collaborated with three graphic designers mostly: Gilles de Brock, Ieva Valule and Joeri Woudstra. Along with a lot of other inspiring, incredible people such as: Tycho Posthumus, Kolbrun Lilja Torfadottir, Tommy Smits, Anna Klevan, Guðlaug Mía Eyþórsdóttir, Jonah Lamers, Eduardo Leon, Afra Eisma, Samuel Isaac Snyder Rynearson and of course the Das Leben Am Haverkamp.

Stroom Aanmoedigingsprijs 2016
(Encouragement Award)

Yamuna Forzani is the winner of the 2016 Stroom Aanmoedigingsprijs for her graduation project at the Royal Academy of Art The Hague (KABK). The jury had high praise for her installation and fashion collection and wrote: "Her work immediately leaves an impression and her imagery grabs you by the throat. Her work challenges our notions about haute couture. Forzani speaks street language without turning into a cliche." >> read more

LINKS
http://yamunaforzani.com

PRESS
Trendbeheer, 17 December 2016 (in Dutch)

OpZicht: Yamuna Forzani
photo: Myung Feyen, courtesy Stroom Den Haag
OpZicht: Yamuna Forzani
photo: Myung Feyen, courtesy Stroom Den Haag
Yamuna Forzani Tea Party & Book Launch
photo: Connie van Driel
Yamuna Forzani Tea Party & Book Launch
photo: Connie van Driel
Yamuna Forzani Tea Party & Book Launch
photo: Stroom Den Haag
OpZicht: Yamuna Forzani
photo: Myung Feyen, courtesy Stroom Den Haag
OpZicht: Yamuna Forzani
photo: Myung Feyen, courtesy Stroom Den Haag
OpZicht: Yamuna Forzani
photo: Myung Feyen, courtesy Stroom Den Haag
Yamuna Forzani, presentation KABK, 2016
photo: courtesy the artist
Yamuna Forzani, presentation KABK, 2016
photo: courtesy the artist
Yamuna Forzani
photo: courtesy the artist
Yamuna Forzani, presentation KABK, 2016
photo: © Jan Hoek
Yamuna Forzani, presentation KABK, 2016
photo: courtesy the artist
Yamuna Forzani, presentation KABK, 2016
photo: courtesy the artist
Yamuna Forzani, presentation KABK, 2016
photo: courtesy the artist
Yamuna Forzani, presentation KABK, 2016
photo: © Katarína Gališinová