“Fifty-two percent of the population of The Hague feel some degree of loneliness.” This headline shocked a lot of people this spring. But it also raised a lot of questions. What is lonely, and what is alone? There’s no simple answer to this question. Young or old, living in isolation or surrounded by loved ones; anyone can have feelings of being lonely or alone at some time. Loneliness can blow over and make you stronger, but long-term loneliness is a cause for concern and can even be life-threatening. The exhibition Solo&Happy?! shows a range of different people from in and outside The Hague, all of whom are alone and/or lonely – either because they have chosen to live alone, because of their circumstances, or simply because that’s how life turned out.

A pet brings happiness, stories and energy into people’s lives. In her project A cuddly home, Sanne Gielens (1991) made portraits of people living on their own in The Hague with their pets. What role do these dogs, cats, and other animals play in the lives of our fellow-residents?

Lotte van Gaalen (1990) makes audio stories. In this exhibition, Lotte is presenting an audio-installation recounting the stories of only children from different generations. 14-year-old Anna, 29-year-old Abel and 67-year-old Margo talk about the desire to shake things up and having to care for parents on your own.

Moved by the story of a man from Rotterdam who died alone, Minsook Kang (1985) decided to explore what it is like to die alone in the Netherlands. In her multimedia installation, the South Korean-born artist takes visitors on a journey through some of her discoveries and observations.

‘Himono onna’ is the term used for Japanese women who are not actively looking for love or commitment; a group that is steadily increasing in numbers. The fact that these women do not want a relationship does not necessarily mean that they are against marriage. On the contrary, many of these Japanese singles are keen to experience their dream wedding. And this is precisely what they do – on their own. The New York-based photographer Naomi Harris (1973) made portraits of some of these Japanese solo-brides.

From home gardens to Christmas dinners; Fonds 1818 supports countless projects run by organisations and committed residents, designed to combat loneliness in the region. In the exhibition, we are highlighting one of the more recent projects in words and pictures: the School for Oneness. At this school, which opened in June 2019, experiential experts teach you to deal with feelings of loneliness using their own specially developed method.

Watch, talk and listen during the live programme. Featuring performances, film screenings and interviews during Hoogtij and Vol Lof. Loneliness is also the theme of the Fonds 1818 Magazine, which you can order free of charge on this website from early October onwards.

Sunday 24 November marks the end of our monthly Kamera Kultura programme. Every last Sunday of the month for the last ten years, we’ve been host to guests with a vast array of interests, areas of expertise and talents. From passionate scientists and engaged innovators to up-and-coming writers and musicians (most of whom later found fame and fortune).

Although the guests and topics have been hugely diverse, they have always had one thing in common: they exude passion and inspiration. In order to maintain this thread in our very last edition, we will sign off with the help of an essential part of the entire programme: our regular audience. Or, if we want to be sentimental about it (and why on earth not?): the Kamera Kultura family.

So the programme for the final edition will feature as many ‘finest moments’ as possible. Alongside contributions from staff and regular guests – including presenter Jellie Brouwer, producer Ida van Esch, programme maker Mirjam Zweers, musician Melle de Boer and writer Helena Hoogenkamp – we are presenting a poignant procession of contributions from our audience. Songs, film clips and visual artwork that will touch you to the core. Magical places on the opposite side of the world, or that special bench under the apple tree in a garden in The Hague. Come and be amazed by all the wonderful, and delicious, things on offer on this very special day. The final edition obviously wouldn’t be complete without a delicious, freshly made brunch at Juni.

Join the Hoogtij art route through The Hague and remember to visit Het Nutshuis. Young or old, living in isolation or surrounded by loved ones; everyone can feel lonely or alone at some time in their life. In the exhibition Solo&Happy?!, photographers Sanne Gielens and Naomi Harris, podcast maker Lotte van Gaalen and artist Minsook Kang portray a range of different people from in and outside The Hague, all of whom are alone and/or lonely – either because they have chosen to be, because of their circumstances, or simply because that’s how life turned out. The exhibition will be open all evening during Hoogtij.

On November 29 we will show the widely acclaimed short film Uitzicht in the presence of maker Femme ter Haar. “People talk about loneliness as if it were something that only concerns others. But we should all realise and accept that none of us is immune to these feelings. I hope that the film opens a door and raises questions with the viewers: am I perhaps lonely, and why is that?” These are the words of Femme, who graduated from HKU University of the Arts Utrecht in summer 2018 with her animated documentary. This film examines, questions and portrays the term loneliness in a very unique way and from a broad range of perspectives. During Hoogtij we will show the 13-minute film several times and Mirjam Zweers will have an interview with Femme.

‘I’m afraid to ask people over for dinner. I can’t really let them nibble on a raw carrot.’ Harrie Jekkers is very straightforward in his thirty-year-old song about a mother from The Hague on welfare. Despite poverty numbers slinking down over the last six years, the song still rings true for too many people.

Yara Jimmink, Nina Schollaardt, and Louiza Charitonidou – three photographers in their last year of the Royal Academy of Art – took a closer look at those most vulnerable: elderly, children, and migrants. Next to the photo projects of the RAAers, De Paardenberg is featured in this miniature exposition. This Fonds 1818 supported community center and church is located in a district of The Hague where many of the residents live below the poverty line: Transvaal.

Beginning of December you’ll find more information on this site about the mini-expo Stuck.