2023

SLAGROOM-TAART

Publication + Performance

For my birthday, Marlou Beentjes (spatial designer) and I designed a performance, going round and round each other to give three kisses on each cheek. It eventually became a book; with chapters split into hours — reflecting the unique style and environment of a Dutch birthday party. Different typography and photography schemes matched each activity of the day, creating a reproduction of my hatred for this upcoming yearly soiree.

Page 96—97
Page 74 — 75

Page 64 — 65

Page 112—113

Page 104—105

Page 34—35

Page 1—2

Page 28 — 29
Page 10 — 11

The “Oer-Hollandse”[1] birthday party: It starts when you arrive.

You congratulate everyone individually. Or be that one person who stands in the middle of the circle, waving with both hands and loudly proclaiming: “Hallo, ja, ik doe het maar even zo, gefeliciteerd allemaal!”[2] After which the people already seated try to laugh off this awkward — and socially unacceptable — way of entering the party.

Next you’ll hear: “ga lekker zitten joh, ik zal er nog wel even een stoel bijpakken.”[3] And then, when you have said what you would like to drink, and what kind of pie you would like to eat. Then the party starts.

And well, you wouldn’t want to miss that.

[1] Traditional Dutch
[2] “Hello, yes, I’ll do it like this, congratulations everyone!”
[3] “Have a seat, I’ll grab you an extra chair.”