STRAAT – 20 years of street photography by Z! / photo book
Horse butts, bridge houses, still lifes, carnival princesses, sleeping places (inside and outside), window stories, statues, portraits of Z! vendors and other people of Amsterdam. This photo book, assembled from photos taken over the last twenty years for street magazine Z!, reveals a special view of the capital. The images are straightforward but nowhere blatantly, often raw but never disrespectful, of great beauty but never cliché’d. In short, the book is the undeniable result of Z!’s opinion that life in Amsterdam is interesting and that the interacting solidarity of Amsterdam’s citizen is of indispensable influence on life in the city. Striking example of the latter: STRAAT is funded by 72 crowdfunders enabling with their contribution that Z! vendors not only earn some money by selling this publication, but also making contacts and meeting with people while doing so. (Hans van Dalfsen / chief editor)
Concept, art direction, design and layout for STRAAT, a publication of Stichting Z, a foundation that aims to help homeless to help themselves. By selling this publication the homeless can earn a modest income and (re) build a base of rhythm, social contacts and self-esteem. The foundation is also the publisher from Z!, Amsterdam’s street magazine, which is as well sold by homeless vendors in Amsterdam and surroundings since 1995.