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PROJECTS
Here you can see how diverse I am as an art photographer. From street photography – Rotterdam, I Adore You to Creative Through Corona. If you look further, you can find inspiring and epic still images in C.O.O.L.
All my works express my fascination for the everyday, the spontaneous, the subconscious, and the playful.
Are you looking for an enrichment for your interior? The prints from Rotterdam, I Adore You and C.O.O.L. are for sale.
Exclusive Photo Report Ronnie Astro
Photographer Valentino Stakel visits inspiring entrepreneurs for an engaging interview and captures them beautifully on camera. This time: a great conversation with Ronald Cullimore, a producer from Rotterdam.
Creative Through Corona
Creative Through Corona is a series in which I personally interview inspiring entrepreneurs and capture them beautifully in photographs. The topic of conversation is: how do you, as an entrepreneur, deal with the challenges of these turbulent times?
The idea for Creative Through Corona was born when the world was in the grip of the pandemic. I was engaged in coming up with and executing interesting projects while everyone was dealing with corona.
The idea for Creative Through Corona was born when the world was in the grip of the pandemic. I was engaged in coming up with and executing interesting projects while everyone was dealing with corona.
Talk to Me - Working progress
Talk to Me – Work in Progress (Pilot)
Talk to Me is a project/exhibition in which Valentino reflects on a period from his childhood, when he was around nine or ten years old. During this phase of his life, he, together with his cousin and his cousin’s sister, was confronted with domestic violence. They witnessed how his uncle repeatedly used physical violence against his wife — situations so severe that neighbors called the police.
As a child, Valentino carried these experiences in silence. The trauma remained hidden for a long time, until a recent conversation with his mother brought these memories back to the surface.
With (Talk to Me) Praat met Mij, Valentino aims to make this dark and often unspoken reality visible through his own visual and artistic language. The project explores different layers of domestic violence: from the depths of despair to the possibility of healing and redemption. Through his work, he creates space for reflection, awareness, and hope. His wish is that women living within this reality may ultimately break free from this cycle of violence.
Talk to Me is a project/exhibition in which Valentino reflects on a period from his childhood, when he was around nine or ten years old. During this phase of his life, he, together with his cousin and his cousin’s sister, was confronted with domestic violence. They witnessed how his uncle repeatedly used physical violence against his wife — situations so severe that neighbors called the police.
As a child, Valentino carried these experiences in silence. The trauma remained hidden for a long time, until a recent conversation with his mother brought these memories back to the surface.
With (Talk to Me) Praat met Mij, Valentino aims to make this dark and often unspoken reality visible through his own visual and artistic language. The project explores different layers of domestic violence: from the depths of despair to the possibility of healing and redemption. Through his work, he creates space for reflection, awareness, and hope. His wish is that women living within this reality may ultimately break free from this cycle of violence.
C.O.O.L.
C.O.O.L. stands for Chronic Obscenity Ongoing Labyrinth. This exhibition is about Valentino's period between childhood and adolescence. At a young age, he was convinced that to become a real man, one had to be a street thug or a drug dealer. Due to a lack of other role models, he saw these figures as kings and holy persons. Through his C.O.O.L. project, Valentino shares how he looked up to such (now in his eyes, wrong) heroes.
In his message, he uses a religious theme and highlights these 'sinners' in a way that makes it seem like they are protected or blessed by a heavenly light. The figures are surrounded by much shadow, creating a contrast that evokes mystery and ignorance. His inspiration comes from Caravaggio, who was known as the criminal painter. Valentino became fascinated with how Caravaggio illuminated subjects and how he gave a human face to holy icons such as Jesus and his disciples.
In his message, he uses a religious theme and highlights these 'sinners' in a way that makes it seem like they are protected or blessed by a heavenly light. The figures are surrounded by much shadow, creating a contrast that evokes mystery and ignorance. His inspiration comes from Caravaggio, who was known as the criminal painter. Valentino became fascinated with how Caravaggio illuminated subjects and how he gave a human face to holy icons such as Jesus and his disciples.
Rotterdam, I adore you
Sure, here is the translation:
I am a born and raised Rotterdammer. This is where my journey to become an artist began. A city that I understand and feel. Photography! That is the medium I use as an artist.
Below you will find an impression of photos that capture the soul of Rotterdam. How busy, quiet, and abstract this city can be. These epic images crave a safe space. A place where they feel at home. Will these photos enhance the character of your business, inspire, and give a warm feeling?
I am a born and raised Rotterdammer. This is where my journey to become an artist began. A city that I understand and feel. Photography! That is the medium I use as an artist.
Below you will find an impression of photos that capture the soul of Rotterdam. How busy, quiet, and abstract this city can be. These epic images crave a safe space. A place where they feel at home. Will these photos enhance the character of your business, inspire, and give a warm feeling?
Untitled Anonymous
Untitled Anonymous was the project that laid the foundation for my debut project COOL (Chronic Obscenity Ongoing Labyrinth). I had placed all the visual material for this project on a hard drive, which I unfortunately lost later. Due to this loss, I decided to put Untitled Anonymous on hold and proceed with COOL. The original idea was actually to precede COOL with Untitled Anonymous. However, the loss of the hard drive triggered me to kick off with COOL.
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