Pioneering photographer Ari Versluis unveils “Proximity” at Schlachter 151: A deep dive into 90s social identity and fashion
Renowned photographer Ari Versluis, celebrated for his exploration of social identity and fashion, will present his latest research project, “Proximity,” at Schlachter 151. Known for his iconic art project Exactitudes, authentic fashion editorials, and capturing the emerging Gabber scene of 90s Rotterdam, Versluis’s work delves into themes of identity, individuality, and authenticity.
“Proximity” is an ongoing research project that revisits Versluis’s 90s archives, presenting for the first time a unique perspective on his early casting encounters.
From axes of observation, these nineties-era documentations reflect manifestations of closeness and outward confidence, captured through the lens of Versluis’s ergonomic 35mm Olympus pocket camera.
This exhibition marks the first spatial presentation of “Proximity” and offers a glimpse into Versluis’s upcoming book, ‘Open House.’
Versluis’ work has been published in numerous magazines such as Numéro Berlin, Dazed Magazine, i-d Magazine, Die Zeit, Tank Magazine, Dummy, Zoo Magazine, The Face, Purple Magazine, DUST Magazine and many more.
“With the rise of early hip-hop, especially in the streets of my hometown Rotterdam in the early and mid nineties, Timberlands – not easy to be found at that time – were the absolute signifier of Cool for a new decade to come. As a photographer that deals with street culture, my eyes are always focused on shoes, although I hardly photograph them. Your choice of shoes is in fact the ultimate sign of understanding a style, a dress code, and subcultural meaning making. In how you wear your shoes, Timberlands, especially, offer on top an extra layer of semiotics to play with.” – Ari Versluis
Welcome to the Timberland Family
We all experience moments of remembrance in the sight of our own past and personal encounters. They awaken associations in us, evoke feelings and bring memories back to life. Many of us are familiar with walking through the entrance to a residential for a celebration and finding ourselves surrounded by different pairs of shoes, owned by people who are coming together, and spending time with each other. Even in these small, seemingly insignificant gestures, the way we leave our shoes as we enter a room reveals the individual’s personality.
Do we put them away neatly organized? Do we leave them exactly as we took them off?
Timberland, a cult brand of the 90s and a mirror of the current zeitgeist, makes the brand’s iconic 6-inch boots a tangible part of the exhibition. “Proximity” marks a shared trip through the 90s, but also the personal journey of the individual and the momentum of memory.
“Iconic for me is not so much the individual but the bigger notion of the social self, manifestations of tribalness, closeness, and belonging: Proximity!” – Ari Versluis
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