About this project
Promising Land / Project by René Clement
The goal is to publish a high quality photobook.
I am a photographer in New York. Five years ago I started with a photo project in Orange City, a small town in Iowa that was founded by Dutch immigrants in 1870. Since 1936, the town holds an annual Tulip Festival to celebrate its national roots, with a thousand volunteers decked out in traditional costume. As a Dutch immigrant, I am fascinated by this cultural stronghold in such a remote corner of the US.
I began this project through a series of portraits in the tradition of the Dutch masters, drawing upon their use of soft light and stark, black backgrounds. In a makeshift studio along the parade route, I invited people in costume to have their portraits taken. As I pondered this series of portraits, I began thinking that these photographs possibly depict a troupe of actors ready to assume their position on stage. In reaction to the period-piece elements of the portraits I had already created, I began a series of landscapes in which I took my subjects out of the studio environment and put them, still in costume, straight into modern life, smack in the middle of American culture. I wondered: what would Orange City look like if its inhabitants, like the Amish, had clung fiercely to the past?
I have been working on this project for 5 years. What began as an accidental meander through an unknown town has grown into a love relationship – a love not only for my project, but also for this town and its citizens.
The project is in its last phase, the pictures are taken, now the book needs to get published. The money I am asking for is to cover the publishing and design costs. Part of the money is already backed by pre-sales, but now I need to be Kickstarted to get over the finishing line.
Thanks for Kickstarter to give me this opportunity and thank you! for supporting me.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 17, 2010.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
A ‘Thank You’ note together with 4 postcards with images from Promising Land on the front, hold together by a ‘Greetings from Orange City’ band.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
1st Editon copy of the book, signed. In addition you'll receive a ‘Thank You’ note together with 4 postcards with images from Promising Land on the front, hold together by a ‘Greetings from Orange City’ band. Note: People outside the USA and The Netherlands, please add $20 shipping fee. Thanks
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
1st Editon copy of the book, signed. The book wil come in a Delft Bleu sleeve and a 8.5” x 11” print of Parade Queen with Flag. This is exclusive to Kickstarter and will be a huge collector's item! In addition you'll receive a ‘Thank You’ note together with 4 postcards with images from Promising Land on the front, hold together by a ‘Greetings from Orange City’ band.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
Signed 24” x 30” print of Parade Queen with Flag. 1st Editon copy of the book, signed. The book wil come in a Delft Blue sleeve and a 8.5” x 11” print of Parade Queen with Flag. In addition you'll receive a ‘Thank You’ note together with 4 postcards with images from Promising Land on the front, hold together by a ‘Greetings from Orange City’ band.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Signed 30” x 40” print of an image of choice from Promising Land. ( This seize print of Parade Queen with Flag was actioned off last year for Haiti earthquake fundraiser and was bought for $700 ) Your name will be printed in the Acknowledgements section of the book! In addition you'll receive the 1st Editon copy of the book, signed. The book wil come in a Delft Blue sleeve and a 8.5” x 11” print of Parade Queen with Flag. A ‘Thank You’ note together with 4 postcards with images from Promising Land on the front, hold together by a ‘Greetings from Orange City’ band.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
I live and work for 12 years in New York and I can show you this city in unique ways. I will put a tour together especially for you. Let me know your interests. In a signed 30” x 40” print of an image of choice from Promising Land. Your name will be printed in the Acknowledgements section of the book! In addition you'll receive the 1st Editon copy of the book, signed. The book wil come in a Delft Blue sleeve and a 8.5” x 11” print of Parade Queen with Flag. A ‘Thank You’ note together with 4 postcards with images from Promising Land on the front, hold together by a ‘Greetings from Orange City’ band.
Project By
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René Clement is photojournalist based in New York City. A native of the Netherlands, René is the co-founder of Borax Foundation for Photography in Nijmegen, Netherlands and is a contributor to Hollandse Hoogte Agency in Amsterdam and Polaris Images in New York. His work has been published throughout the world.
Rene’s portrait photography and documentaries have been awarded numerous prizes including Time Magazine Picture of the Year (2003) and the Dutch Silver Camera competition.
Last year he successfully funded (also through Kickstarter) his project Promising Land, which was published in May 2011.
