Wasteland, fetish-fantasyparty, Morad Bouchakour, 2002 © Morad Bouchakour

In the diary he kept during the entire period he writes how he struggles to keep up with the party schedule, as most parties take place at night until early in the morning. Although Morad has traveled all over the world he now discovers places he hardly knew existed relatively near by. People situations and customs that come as total surprises. By no means this project was an easy one, but if anything, it was greatly rewarding.

41ste Nationale Haringparty, Morad Bouchakour, 2002 © Morad Bouchakour

The book that accompanies the exposition was made by 020 in Amsterdam, a design quartet that made just the perfect translation to print for his photographs. Upon opening the book confetti drops from the pages, the photos are all positioned full page and the sheer amount of images shows the comprehensiveness of Morad’s endeavor to capture to true spirit of Holland’s party culture.

Carnaval, Morad Bouchakour, 2002 © Morad Bouchakour

Unfortunately due to my own delay in writing this article the exhibition in the Rijksmuseum has ended… However, I say, get the book “Morad Bouchakour: Party! in The Netherlands” is even better and it comes in three languages (Dutch, English and Japanese).

Morad Bouchakour “Party! in The Netherlands”
Date: October 26th, 2002 – January 5th, 2003
Place: Rijksmuseum
Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 674 7000
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl