Better late than never, our review of Le Petite Nuit Blanche.
The origins of this nocturnal festival of the arts are disputed between Paris, St Petersburg and Berlin. Since 1997 it has spread around the world from Montreal to Madrid and Lima to Leeds. But before we proceed to quote anymore info stolen from Wikipedia, let us give you our highlights:
As this was a new experience for yours truly and our esteemed photographer we had more fun than a drunk with a slinky! The audience, the performers, the organizers, security, the night mayors, we were welcomed candidly and were given carte blanche (pun not very ingenious but intended) to roam around the event(s) grounds. Besides the logistic and practical matters of this various events, we were touched (not by a creepy old man in the darkness of the Illusiereis) by the passion and dedication everybody involved put into the events.
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The beer was free and the performers were very friendly. I must admit I got goosebumps during the general rehearsal as well as during the show.
We were in all places, though not at the same time, but let us start at the beginning. At the Illusiereis (Illusion Trip for you non dutch speakers) held at the Kadasterpand across Central Station. This brilliant event was presented by Job, Joris-Jan Reuten ("What is Happening Here") and Egbert Jan Weeber. The men behind "What is Happening Here" are best described as artists, party organizers, décor designers and theater makers.
We got to see the general rehearsal we saw the show twice with little differences. We got to take some exclusive shots (with flash!) of the performers and event grounds. The beer was free and the performers were very friendly. I must admit I got goosebumps during the general rehearsal as well as during the show.
It was amazingly well done, the fact they messed with our heads by changing the pathways so the building seemed bigger made it even better. Or was it the beer we'd been drinking? Anyhow, as we giggled our way through the haunted hotel the second time around I couldn't but notice how people reacted to the show and I think it can be considered a great success. That and the hour-long line we cut (cause that's how we roll!) was immense with hour long waiting times!
After the rush of Illusiereis we went to Paint the City at CS.
This partly interactive project consisted of two parts. Drawing on the building with a laser pointer and videomapping. Using laserpointers to tag coordinates on a landscape and beamers to result in a picturesque projection. Videomapping seeks interaction between buildings by means of video pictures. In the darkness of the night a totally different picture of the building arises giving them a mysterious and artistic interpretation. This project was set up by Simme Andriesma, creative, producer, conceptualist.
We met Keez from Pipslab, a genious among men. Nuff said. We spoke to Laser 3.14 about graffiti common sense and respect among veteran and new artists. This gave me a bunch of ideas that'll develop soon here at CFYE.
From afar, we looked like a bunch of drunk wackos on the square at CS. But talking to all these artists gave us a sense of how far street art has come and how even further it will get.
After loads of beer, loads of very interesting conversations, it was time for us to stumble home.
I'd say this general rehearsal of Le Nuit Blanche in Amsterdam was a success and we are looking forward to next year.
Here at CFYE we would like to thank Simme Andriesma from A46K, Shera, Kim, Josine, Club Zonderfilter and everybody involved in Le Nuit Blanche that gave us free beer and the opportunity of being there.
