Freedom in isolation: Visual artist Casper Faassen makes short film

Leiden (The Netherlands), 3 June 2020 – Today, globally people struggle in isolation, while we commemorate 75 years of freedom in Europe and beyond. That juxtaposition inspired Casper Faassen to explore the beauty in isolation, fear, hope and freedom. Together with choreographer and dancer Marne van Opstal of the internationally renowned NDT, he made a short film combining these elements in an installation with dance. 

Installation and choreography
In this choreography of Van Opstal we recognize the different stages we go through during isolation. Besides the internal limitations of an unknown threat, the dancers are literally confined and separated from each other by two semi-transparent cubes. These form a triptych with the 14th century pulpit. One of the archetypical aspects of a traditional triptych like Lucas van Leyden’s ‘Last Judgement’, is that it can close its panels, covering its story. Halfway through the 4 minute film, these confinements fade and we experience the emotional release, picking each other up and looking for ways to carry on. 

Casper Faassen about his work: “Several themes come together in this installation, just like in my photographic work. Appearing, disappearing, censorship, beauty and transience. This year the theme freedom is present on several layers. It made me want to create a 3D installation combined with dance.” Photographer and painter Faassen has worked with dancers before. In 2016 he successfully joined efforts with the Dutch National Ballet for a fundraiser called Dance4Life.

Collaboration with dancers and musicians
The music for this film was written and recorded by Edison Award winning Bart Wirtz and Oscar de Jong, known for his part in the electronic collective Kraak & Smaak. Marne van Opstal asked Chloe Albaret who has worked with NDT since 2010, to dance with him in this piece. Last year she was nominated for the Swan award honouring best dance performance. Marne was also nominated for the prestigious Swan together with his sister Imre van Opstal for their production ‘Take Root’.

Pilgrims
The installation is staged in Pieterschurch in Leiden, exile for more than a decade for the group that were referred to as the founding fathers of Plymouth Colony, laying the basis for what now is the United States. Today, there are around 25 million descendants of this group, nine presidents of the United States are descendants among them Barack Obama. The actions of The Pilgrims upon arriving are up to debate. The film also refers to which side of history we find ourselves on through The Last Judgement triptych, not only when it comes down to the Pilgrims and their history but also now, after the global reset. Where do we take it from here?

About Casper Faassen
Casper Faassen ('75) is a visual artist who grew up in Leiden, where, inspired by the classical paintings of 17th century painters such as Rembrandt and Jan van Goyen, he developed his love for drawing and painting. 

His style, combining transparent layers of photography with layers of paint, gained both critical acclaim and attention from the public. 

Faassen’s work has been exhibited at numerous international art fairs such as Photo London, Photofairs Shanghai, Unseen, Paris Photo New York an Photo Basel where he received the ALPA award in 2019. . His work is included in private as well as public collections such as the Frans Hals Museum (Haarlem), Museum de Lakenhal (Leiden) and The Hague Historical Museum. Exhibitions include venues such as the Fotografiska Museum in Stockholm and Japan Museum Sieboldhuis in Leiden. 

casperfaassen.com