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Merel Hegenbart

@merelhegenbart

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Photobook ‘I would love to make a photo project about you' out now

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De ultieme selfie t/m 11 oktober.

Merel Hegenbart | TRY NOT TO CHANGE – PHOTOGRAPHY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Is a two-part work about freedom, connection, and the power of photography, consisting of two books. The first part, I would love to make a photo project about you, tells the story of the growing bond between two women: Doro from Croatia and Merel from the Netherlands. From their very first encounter, Merel is touched by Doro’s strong and independent presence.
In the continuation, TRY NOT TO CHANGE – PHOTOGRAPHY CHANGES EVERYTHING, Merel explores what happens when Doro returns to Croatia and her physical presence disappears. The camera becomes both a tool for seeking freedom and a limitation. This results in an intense exploration of the relationship between artist and subject, and of photography’s dual power: its ability to heal while also confronting us.

For The Ultimate Selfie, Merel presents a smaller version of this work, which she previously showed in Selfie I. The emotional responses of visitors to her work deeply affected her: the engagement, emotion, and recognition it evoked. This experience gave her the confidence to present this extensive and personal project again — in an adapted and accessible form — bringing together themes such as friendship, identity, and self-reflection.

#photography #identity #ndsmwerf taken in NDSM FUSE by @merelhegenbart

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5 days ago

A sweet 🍬 spontaneous moment of inspiration during @rencontresarles . Behind the scenes by @arkodatto 🙏🏻. by @merelhegenbart

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2 months ago

More @rencontresarles appreciation. Thank you @librairiedupalais @dienachtpublishing @dismy 🙏🏻 . ‘I would love to make a photo project about you’ is out now. Link in bio for more information 🩷 by @merelhegenbart

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2 months ago

‘I would love to make a photo project about you’ was released during @rencontresarles and it was very special ❤️‍🔥. So happy to have been connected to @dienachtpublishing by @francoisckx two years ago. I couldn’t think of any other publisher (really!) that would take on the challenge of making a book 15 cm high, spanning 1800 pages… It was a challenge to say the least! I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Thanks so much @calin_kruse @yana.watching for believing in this project and designing it so beautifully. On top of that, every book is accompanied by a beautiful essay from the wonderful @dismy. Last but not least, Doro was there, creating a full circle moment. Thank you, thank you, thank you 🥰. by @merelhegenbart

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2 months ago

Throwback to the opening night and photobook launch at •Espace dienacht Arles• 8 Rue Fauré, that took place last week during @rencontresarles
Thank you all! It was so fun and also so freaking hot!

6—12 July •Espace dienacht Arles• showed three independent projects:

Lina Scheynius: Intimacies @linascheynius
Merel Hegenbart: I would love to make a photo project about you @merelhegenbart
Aleksei Kazantsev: Electric Moons @akapicdotcom

It was our second year having a gallery in Arles and we love it even more. We’ll see you next year with more fun!

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The exhibition at Espace dienacht Arles is powered by @dienacht.verein, and curated by Yana Kruse & Calin Kruse. taken in Arles, France by @merelhegenbart

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3 months ago

Meet us Friday and Saturday at Arles Books Fair at @ensp.arles & join the signing of the new book!

10 July, Friday, 6:30 — 7:30pm

𝐈 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐭 @merelhegenbart

The book — chronologically ordered and spanning 1,800 pages — is a visual, anthropological, and conceptual journey into Doro, Merel, and their relationship. It raises fundamental questions about the bond between photographer and subject, intimacy and its mediation through the camera, and the ways photography shapes, constructs, or unsettles our perception of reality. By openly revealing its own making, the work becomes an experimental attempt to narrate the evolving connection between two people. Edition of only 50 copies, 15 cm high, handbound, with essay by Diane Smyth @dismy

Find us at the fair Friday-Saturday, 10—11 June
Open: 1— 7.30pm

Address
30, Avenue Victor Hugo, 13200 Arles, France @rencontresarles @france_photobook by @merelhegenbart

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3 months ago

Book Signing at Librarie du Palais @librairiedupalais / Arles
9 July (THRS), 4pm

𝐈 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐭 @merelhegenbart

In presence of Merel, Doro & Diane Smyth @dismy

The book — chronologically ordered and spanning 1,800 pages — is a visual, anthropological, and conceptual journey into Doro, Merel, and their relationship. It raises fundamental questions about the bond between photographer and subject, intimacy and its mediation through the camera, and the ways photography shapes, constructs, or unsettles our perception of reality. By openly revealing its own making, the work becomes an experimental attempt to narrate the evolving connection between two people. Edition of only 50 copies, 15 cm high, handbound, with essay by Diane Smyth.

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We will also be Guest Publishers at @librairiedupalais with our books all THRS / 9 July (2—7pm).

Come by, say hi, discover our books at lovely Librarie du Palais. taken in Librairie du Palais by @merelhegenbart

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3 months ago

𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐭 𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒 / 8 Rue Fauré

This year in Arles, dienacht Publishing will curate a gallery dedicated to photography & handmade photobooks. Espace dienacht Arles will host exhibitions and book presentations. Visit us during the opening week of Les Rencontres d’Arles @rencontresarles (6–12 July), right next to Arènes d’Arles.

Photobook exhibition: 𝐈 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐭 @merelhegenbart

The book — chronologically ordered and spanning 1,800 pages — is a visual, anthropological, and conceptual journey into Doro, Merel, and their relationship. It raises fundamental questions about the bond between photographer and subject, intimacy and its mediation through the camera, and the ways photography shapes, constructs, or unsettles our perception of reality. By openly revealing its own making, the work becomes an experimental attempt to narrate the evolving connection between two people. Edition of only 50 copies, 14 cm high, handbound, with essay by Diane Smyth @dismy.

Dates: 6—12 July / Open: 1—7pm
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 & 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝟖 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲, 𝟔 𝐩𝐦
Address: 8 Rue Fauré, Arles

Espace dienacht Arles
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𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐭 𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒 is a pop up Gallery for Photography and Handmade Photobooks in Arles powered by @dienacht.verein taken in Arles, France by @merelhegenbart

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3 months ago

𝐈 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 by Merel Hegenbart is coming to life right now! And we couldn’t be more excited.

Edition of only 50 copies. 1,800 pages. 14 cm high. Each copy is hand-bound and takes around 8 hours to make.

Official release at @rencontresarles: Espace dienacht Arles (the gallery curated by @dienachtpublishing), Librarie du Palais, Arles Photobook Fair

This publication is one of a kind — not least because of the production challenges involved. If you’d like to support Merel and us on this ambitious publishing journey, we are offering three pre-order options. Out of the book’s 1,800 pages, you can chose to support 𝟖𝟎 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝟏𝟖𝟎, or all 𝟏,𝟖𝟎𝟎 (• details -> link in bio •).

The book — chronologically ordered and spanning 1,800 pages — is a visual, anthropological, and conceptual journey into Doro, Merel, and their relationship. It raises fundamental questions about the bond between photographer and subject, intimacy and its mediation through the camera, and the ways photography shapes, constructs, or unsettles our perception of reality. By openly revealing its own making, the work becomes an experimental attempt to narrate the evolving connection between two people.

Through a wide range of media the project also questions how stories are told. Each medium contributes a different perspective, allowing the same moments to be reinterpreted in multiple ways and asking whether these different voices can bring us closer to a “complete” story.

At its core, the project is also a reflection on womanhood, identity, and freedom. Two young women from different worlds mirror, inspire, and challenge one another as they shape their own narratives.

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Photography, book concept: Merel Hegebart @merelhegenbart
Essay: Diane Smyth @dismy
Design: Calin Kruse, Yana Kruse

The post features photos of the dummies by @merelhegenbart

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3 months ago

GENOMINEERDE HARRY PENNINGS PRIJS 2026 | MEREL HEGENBART |07.03.2026-09.05.2026

English below⬇️

Met de Harry Pennings Prijs bieden we een podium aan opkomende fotografen: makers die hun eigen beeldtaal zoeken, grenzen verkennen en het fotografische landschap vernieuwen.

@merelhegenbart is een van de negen genomineerden voor de Harry Penningsprijs 2026. Zij laat tijdens de groepsexpo werk zien uit de serie ‘Try not to change – Photography changes everything’.

Zaterdag 18 april (16.00–18.00 uur) maken we de winnaar bekend tijdens de prijsuitreiking.

Jij mag ook stemmen!�Bezoekers van de tentoonstelling kiezen hun eigen favoriet voor de publieksprijs. Kom kijken, ontdek nieuw talent en laat je inspireren.

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With the Harry Pennings Prize, we offer a platform to emerging photographers: creators who seek their own visual language, explore boundaries, and renew the photographic landscape.

Merel is one of the nine nominees for the 2026 Harry Pennings Prize. During the group exhibition, she will be showing work from the series ‘Try not to change – Photography changes everything’.

On Saturday, April 18 (4:00 PM–6:00 PM), we will announce the winner during the award ceremony.

You can vote too! Visitors to the exhibition will choose their own favorite for the audience award. Come take a look, discover new talent, and get inspired.

#penningsfoundation #harrypenningsprijs #dutchphotography #storytelling #uitineindhoven taken in Pennings Foundation by @merelhegenbart

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6 months ago

Honoured to have been nominated for the Harry Pennings Prize 2026! 💫

My visual diptych containing ‘I would love to make a photo project about you’ and ‘Try Not To Change – Photography Changes Everything’, is now part of the group exhibition featuring the works of all nominees @penningsfoundation Eindhoven, from March 7th – May 9th. Definitely come by!

On location you can vote for the audience award.

Photo by @liekewinters taken in Pennings Foundation by @merelhegenbart

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7 months ago

GENOMINEERDE HARRY PENNINGS PRIJS 2026 | MEREL HEGENBART | 07.03.2026-09.05.2026

English below⬇️

Als visueel kunstenaar werkt Merel Hegenbart voornamelijk met fotografie, in samenhang met tekstfragmenten, correspondentie, film en archiefmateriaal. Samen weven deze media een gelaagd, multimediaal narratief waarin verschillende perspectieven met elkaar in dialoog treden.

@merelhegenbart studeerde af aan de Nederlandse Academie voor Beeldcreatie. Ze is een van de negen genomineerden voor de Harry Penningsprijs 2026. Merel laat tijdens de groepsexpo werk zien uit de serie ‘Try Not To Change - Photography Changes Everything’.

Thema's in haar werk zijn menselijke relaties, verlies, vrijheid en perceptie. Hoewel haar projecten vaak een documentaire oorsprong hebben, krijgt haar werk door haar conceptuele benadering en onderzoekende houding een filosofische en antropologische dimensie.

De groepsexpo is te zien van 07.03.2026-09.05.2026. Op zaterdag 18 april wordt de Harry Pennings Prijs uitgereikt. Naast de juryprijs is er een publieksprijs. Tijdens je bezoek aan de expo kan je stemmen op jouw favoriet. Kom kijken en geef je stem voor de publieksprijs!

Foto 2: @wouterleduc
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As a visual artist, Merel Hegenbart primarily works with photography, combined with text fragments, correspondence, film, and archive material. Together, these media weave a layered, multimedia narrative in which different perspectives engage in dialogue. correspondence, film, and archival material.

@merelhegenbart graduated from the Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (NAO). She is one of nine nominees for the Harry Penning Prize 2026. During the group exhibition, Merel will be showing work from the series "Try Not To Change - Photography Changes Everything."

The group exhibition will be on view from March 7, 2026, to May 9, 2026. The Harry Penning Prize will be awarded on Saturday, April 18th. In addition to the jury prize, there is an audience award. During your visit to the exhibition, you can vote for your favorite. Come see and cast your vote for the audience award!

#penningsfoundation #harrypenningsprijs #fotografie #uitineindhoven #visualartist taken in Pennings Foundation by @merelhegenbart

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7 months ago