Open-hearted video portraits of transgender elders
Despite all the attention given to the diverse group of transgender people, until now the older generation remains somewhat underexposed. While they in particular, with their personal history of struggle and growing up in a world that lacked acceptance and knowledge, have so much to tell.
Eveline van de Putte and Erik Alkema present a video installation at IHLIA containing five open-hearted documentary portraits of transgender elders. In these, older transgender people tell their life stories. In this way, the issues transgender people face are made understandable and palpable.
These trans women, men and non-binary transgender people, who now finally have the opportunity to be themselves, tell firsthand what it was like in an earlier time not so long ago. Their stories illustrate what was fought for and won and why today’s positive developments are so important.
With these personal stories of people, who had to discover their feelings in a time without examples, the creators want to show what being born with gender dysphoria and binary gender thinking, means for a life, for a person and for their environment.
The films are in Dutch with English subtitles.
About Erik Alkema (1974)
Erik Alkema is a visual artist, film and theater maker. He also initiates and organizes social artistic projects in which storytelling, documentary and co-creation play a prominent role. Before beginning his studies in Audio Visual at the Rietveld Academy, he studied cultural anthropology. A background that is an important inspiration for his work.
In addition to his autonomous visual work (textile sculptures and wall hangings), in recent years he has made a series of documentary portraits and has been involved as a maker in several (youth) theater productions.
About Eveline van de Putte (1966)
Eveline van de Putte is an inspired storyteller and author of such works as Stormy Silent, life stories of pink elders – and New Names, life stories of transgender elders.
In addition to being a writer , Eveline is a trainer and photographer. She uses art as a tool to break taboos and give unknown groups a voice and face.
Since March 2014, Van de Putte has been traveling through the Netherlands and Belgium with the Tour d’Amour, a dialogue meeting to discuss sexual diversity and gender identity within health and welfare.
Location: IHLIA Plaza, Oosterdokskade 143, 3rd floor (OBA Oosterdok)
When: 8 November 2019 – 27 January 2020
Photo: Still from Dochter – Daughter – Erik Alkema
More information: This exhibit is part of the Transgender Elders Project, which also includes the book New Names, Life Stories of Transgender Elders. More information can be found here (in Dutch)
Made possible by: the AFK (Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst), Club Church, Roze50+, IHLIA and OBA
