Amersfoort

Here is an interesting verse and it is God speaking to Samuel the prophet. This is believed to have been written by Samuel.

God speaking: ‘ Don’t look at his facial expressions or appearance, or at how tall he is, because I have refused him: for the LORD does not see as man sees: for man looks on the outside but God looks at the heart.’

1 Samuel 16:17

And here is a definition of faith with Paul speaking:

‘ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen… Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which appear.’ Hebrews 1: 1,3

I found this combination of verses from the Old and New Testament interesting…

There is a tower in Amersfoort, The Onze-Lieve- Vroewentoren, (Tower of our lady) with the nickname Long John. It is said to be at the centre/middle point of the Netherlands. We will no doubt see it often as we walk the streets but lets leave the town for last and answer this question: What would it be like to be locked in a museum of local history which is three Midevil houses joined together and carefully restored?

Come with me.

I am curious and ask a person painting a wall if it is a new murial.’ Yes, I am a painter but I work for the museum.’ I smiled and then asked if I could photograph the painting called ‘Angles.’

This was the start of my being intrigued because what was to follow was an exhibition of Amersfoort’s photographer Karla Kogelman. Her work on display was in black and white and was mostly work with a story. She took time to realise her portfolio and one is encouraged to take time to look. I nearly had until Tuesday.

What she values most is authenticity, sincerety and people who are unapologetically themselves.

It is important to know that she graduated as a social worker with an interest in children. She is still interested in children’s lives and how the environment they grow up in, influences their development. This influence can be seen in her photographs which often include children. Her patience can be seen in a whole body of work where she photographs the same children over a period of time. After her social work years she then went on to become a theater producer. This also gave her a deep understanding of how vulnerable an actor is. With this understanding she then, as a photographer, spent time on sets noticing and photographing the actors and crews. She was fully accepted but more in the way that she was ‘ a fly on the wall.’

Her work is full of stories. One on the brochure is this:

Two girls became friends they were from different parts of the world. One had a father and the other had a mother. The girls wanted to be sisters and they worked at it to bring their parents together. Karls Kogelman photographed them dancing at the wedding of their respective Mum and Dad.

Karla Kogelmant is interested in emotions especially tenderness. It could be a head on the shoulder, a kiss on the hand, a casual embrace.

Mother and daughter.

Well I spent a long time enjoying these photographs, so long that when I pushed an interleading door someone was pushing it from the other side. It was the museum custodian. He had locked the gate over the canal bridge. He had locked the main door and I guess was doing his final check and there was me.

I was let out! The museum is open again on Tuesday. A place to spend time in Amersfoort.

Sandy says that these photographs are a testament to the authenticity, sincerity and love of Karls Kogelman for all that she has worked with and for.

Could I spend much longer there? Yes.

Let us now go over the bridge through the carefully unlocked bridge and into town. It has gardens onto canal, pavement, bicycle lane and road. All neat and finely bricked. There are restraunts and cafés and a little food theater with Oma poffertjes being made and sprinkled with icing sugar and a pat of butter on top. All to eat on a bench in the square/circle. Narrow streets leading from it …

Looking out from the steps of the museum.

Planting in pots on the street.

Gardens with plants reaching down over the walls to the water lily pads of the canal.

A memorable town.

The Karla Kogelman exhibition is on until 30 August 2026.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂

Ah, did I get a picture of the tower, the said centre of the Netherlands?

I did!