It is a dream to present my retrospective in Amsterdam, my birthplace and hometown, especially at Foam where I had my very first museum exhibition in 2008.

For information and visual material please check www.foam.org/press or contact the Press Office of Foam on +31 (0)20 5516500 / pressoffice@foam.org

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Viviane Sassen - PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

 comprises more than 200 works of the Dutch fashion photographer and artist Viviane Sassen. It is the first large-scale retrospective of the Dutch fashion photographer in the Netherlands, revealing over thirty years of her multifaceted career and bringing together photography, collage, painting and video. 

Botter, 2022

Foam

Self Portrait, 1990

Blue Alchemy, from the series Modern Alchemy, 2022

Adidas x Pharell, 2017

Dior, 2019

“With her imagery full of surreal poses, Sassen is able to evoke a mood, feeling or story with a single image. Even if you think you are familiar with the work, this retrospective reveals a fresh page, exposing a new outlook of 'exquisite corpse.' ”

Eudocimus Ruber, from the series Of Mud and Lotus, 2017

AI Walk-in Workshop Carlijn Jacobs

Every Sunday afternoon, Foam offers free walk-in workshops inspired by Viviane Sassen's current exhibition 

In this workshop, you will use your own photos and blend them with captivating images from magazines to create a unique collage. Afterwards, you can bring your artwork to life using various painting techniques. This workshop is suitable to all ages and skill levels.

Eudocimus Ruber from the series Of Mud and Lotus, 2017

Acid Lime from the series Heliotrope, 2016

Luxaflex from the series Of Mud and Lotus, 2017 C Viviane Sassen and Stevenson

The Flicker Phase, 1950

Viviane Sassen Walk-in Workshop

Join us on Saturday 30 November for a special artist talk with photographer 

 will dig deeper into the work and the journey of her practice, including her use of shadows and how her mental health impacted her as an artist. 

Viviane Sassen artist talk

Foam is thrilled to present the first large-scale retrospective of Dutch artist and fashion photographer Viviane Sassen in the Netherlands. The exhibition will be opened on Friday 20 September in the presence of the artist.

You are welcome at Foam from 18.30 - 21.00 hrs for this official event with free admission to the museum.

Opening Viviane Sassen - PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

visible in

works in Foam Collection

Viviane Sassen

Foam offers Foam Fund shareholders the unique opportunity to visit the studio of photographer Viviane Sassen.

The work of Viviane Sassen (Amsterdam, 1972) stands out by the expressiveness of color, the unique use of shadows and the slightly surrealistic atmosphere. She intuitively approaches her models, who almost become sculptures in her images. Her intriguing play with perception, form, color and shadow has also made her a leading fashion photographer, in addition to her autonomous work.
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/113697/595x476/aa1cf09475/595vivianesassendora.jpg" alt="" width="595" height="476" /> &copy; Viviane Sassen During our visit, Viviane will talk about how she works in her broad oeuvre, ranging from series and artists' books to campaigns for fashion houses such as Carven, Stella McCartney, Adidas and Missoni, and editorials for magazines such as Num&eacute;ro, Double, Another Magazine and Dazed &amp; Confused. This visit is exclusively for Foam Fund members and takes place from 6 until 7.30pm.&nbsp; SIGN UP There are only twenty places available. You can sign up by sending an e-mail to mathilde@foam.org. NOT A FOAM FUND MEMBER YET? <a href="http://www.foam.org/about/foam-fund">&gt; Read more and sign up</a>
Foam is supported by the BankGiro Loterij, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Gemeente Amsterdam, Olympus and the VandenEnde Foundation.

<div class="sidebar__content">Studio visit info 
Thursday 25 January 2018 6 - 7.30pm
&nbsp;
This visit is exclusively for members of <a href="/about/foam-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foam Fund</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
WANT TO JOIN?</div>

Studio visit Viviane Sassen

Lilac from the series Flamboya

 series. Using C-print on  as the medium, the artwork is displayed at 80 x 65 cm.

Codex from the series Parasomnia, 2010

Foam is supported by the VriendenLoterij, Foam Members, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, the VandenEnde Foundation and the City of Amsterdam.

In 2021 Foam receives additional support from the Mondriaan Fund and Kickstart Cultuurfonds

more artworks

 shows a young Kenyan man standing in a white shirt with a pink book on his head. He's looking up, but his face is not visible. The photograph is part of the 

 series, which for a large part consists of portraits of young Africans in Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania. They were often constructed as part of an intuitive collaboration with the subject. Remarkably, it is often impossible to see the subject’s expression: the face and parts of the body tend to be wrapped within a shadow, turning away from the viewer or only display the lower half of the body. This makes it hard to identify with the subject in the photo. The (in)ability to properly register a person’s identity, the limitations preventing the viewer from forming an accurate picture, and the role of photography are recurring themes in Sassen’s work. She plays an intriguing game with perception, undermining our assumptions and stereotypes.

Codex from the series Parasomnia

 series. Using inkjet print on archival paper as the main medium, the artwork is displayed at 100x80 cm.

Lilac shows a loving entanglement, in which two models appear to merge as one with their intertwined limbs. The photograph is part of the 

Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam, 2023

For more information and visual material please contact the Press Office of Foam via pressoffice@foam.org.

Foam receives positive response AFK 

Foam x de Hortus: Summer Workshop for Children, 2024

Join us at de Hortus to explore the secrets of the most beautiful garden in Amsterdam. Children participating in the workshop will collect flowers and

Foam x de Hortus: Summer Workshop for Children

Free guided tour in Dutch sign language, 2016

Photography is best discovered in your own language. During these interactive tours in Dutch sign language, you will talk about [...]

Free guided tour in Dutch sign language

Workshop pinhole fotografie voor kinderen

Join us on an exciting journey in Foam, with a pinhole camera in hand! In this special workshop, kids will hit the streets with curious eyes and creat

Through the little lens: Pinhole photography for kids

Latest activities

Opening MAQAM

Creative space for local residents, talent and creatives in the heart of Kolenkit.

MAQAM

Galerie Mercatorplein: Olgaç Bozalp, 2023

Gallery Mercatorplein is a recurring photo exhibition in the public space. 

Mercatorplein

Collaborative spaces

Current exhibitions

Foam Collection

Discover more online with the

Education

 invite children aged 8 to 12 to join the 

 this winter. Inspired by Viviane Sassen’s exhibition, participants will get hands-on with the camera and learn to see art and colour in a new way. To complete the festive experience, there will be plenty of time to enjoy hot chocolate and Christmas bread.

Kerstvakantie: Workshop Collage Maken

Club Foam Dinner 2024

On Wednesday 20 November, Club Foam members have the exclusive opportunity to visit photographer 

Want to become a Club Foam member and join this event? Learn more 

Amsterdam

Blue Alchemy, from the series Modern Alchemy 2022

Foam Members: Studio visit Viviane Sassen

On Wednesday 23 October, we will open the museum's doors in the evening exclusively for Foam Members. Come after closing time and view the current exhibitions at your leisure.

Would you also like to come to the Member Hours, but are not yet a Foam Member? Then 

 and enjoy all the benefits throughout the year. 

Foam Talent Opening, 2024

Ajax, 1967

Untitled work from the family archive

Member Hours: Viviane Sassen & Paul Huf

Come to Foam during Museumnacht and immerse yourself in our exciting program, developed in collaboration with 

. During the event, we aim to deconstruct glamour, explore its deeper meanings, and critically examine the fashion systems that uphold these ideals from a queer perspective.

viviane-sassen

Viviane Sassen - PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

Viviane Sassen
PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

Painting & collage
walk-in workshop

On Experimentation and Intimacy
In Conversation with Viviane Sassen

Opening Viviane Sassen
PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

Studio visit Viviane Sassen

Codex from the series Parasomnia

Lilac from the series Flamboya

Foam receives positive response AFK

Education

Christmas Holiday: Fashion Photography Workshop

Studio Visit Viviane Sassen

Member Hours: Viviane Sassen & Paul Huf

Museumnacht Amsterdam 2024

viviane-sassen

Viviane Sassen - PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

Viviane SassenPHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

Painting & collagewalk-in workshop

On Experimentation and IntimacyIn Conversation with Viviane Sassen

Opening Viviane SassenPHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

Studio visit Viviane Sassen

Codex from the series Parasomnia

Lilac from the series Flamboya

Foam receives positive response AFK

Education

Christmas Holiday: Fashion Photography Workshop

Studio Visit Viviane Sassen

Member Hours: Viviane Sassen & Paul Huf

Museumnacht Amsterdam 2024

Viviane Sassen
PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion

Painting & collage
walk-in workshop

On Experimentation and Intimacy
In Conversation with Viviane Sassen

Opening Viviane Sassen
PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion