Ruben Hamelink (1992) is a self-taught photographer and filmmaker from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In his work, he examines how people interact with the historical context of their environment and explores how history shapes the identity of a country and its inhabitants and vice versa.
By documenting the world around him, he aims to challenge assumptions, disrupt stereotypes, and prompt viewers to consider their own place in the larger narrative of human experience. He strives to approach each project with empathy and sensitivity, recognizing that the stories he tells belong not only to the past, but also to the present and future.
Living History - This project explores the different ways in which American citizens interact with the history of the Civil War and the institution of slavery through reenactment. How do different historical narratives influence the contemporary identity and political opinions of American society and its citizens today? As soon as the Civil War ended, veterans organized re-enactments to rebuild national unity. Today thousands of highly motivated ‘living historians’ live out their version of what it must have been like to live and fight during ‘the war that forged the nation’. It is their way of being in touch with their ancestry and history.
Living History - This project explores the different ways in which American citizens interact with the history of the Civil War and the institution of slavery through reenactment. How do different historical narratives influence the contemporary identity and political opinions of American society and its citizens today? As soon as the Civil War ended, veterans organized re-enactments to rebuild national unity. Today thousands of highly motivated ‘living historians’ live out their version of what it must have been like to live and fight during ‘the war that forged the nation’. It is their way of being in touch with their ancestry and history.
Living History - This project explores the different ways in which American citizens interact with the history of the Civil War and the institution of slavery through reenactment. How do different historical narratives influence the contemporary identity and political opinions of American society and its citizens today? As soon as the Civil War ended, veterans organized re-enactments to rebuild national unity. Today thousands of highly motivated ‘living historians’ live out their version of what it must have been like to live and fight during ‘the war that forged the nation’. It is their way of being in touch with their ancestry and history.
Living History - This project explores the different ways in which American citizens interact with the history of the Civil War and the institution of slavery through reenactment. How do different historical narratives influence the contemporary identity and political opinions of American society and its citizens today? As soon as the Civil War ended, veterans organized re-enactments to rebuild national unity. Today thousands of highly motivated ‘living historians’ live out their version of what it must have been like to live and fight during ‘the war that forged the nation’. It is their way of being in touch with their ancestry and history.
Living History - This project explores the different ways in which American citizens interact with the history of the Civil War and the institution of slavery through reenactment. How do different historical narratives influence the contemporary identity and political opinions of American society and its citizens today? As soon as the Civil War ended, veterans organized re-enactments to rebuild national unity. Today thousands of highly motivated ‘living historians’ live out their version of what it must have been like to live and fight during ‘the war that forged the nation’. It is their way of being in touch with their ancestry and history.
Living History - This project explores the different ways in which American citizens interact with the history of the Civil War and the institution of slavery through reenactment. How do different historical narratives influence the contemporary identity and political opinions of American society and its citizens today? As soon as the Civil War ended, veterans organized re-enactments to rebuild national unity. Today thousands of highly motivated ‘living historians’ live out their version of what it must have been like to live and fight during ‘the war that forged the nation’. It is their way of being in touch with their ancestry and history.
Bouwbrond – Film - Terwijl de bouw van Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen de eindfase nadert en de inrichting inmiddels in volle gang is, voert dit bijzondere project je mee terug naar het begin, naar toen het depot nog bouwgrond was. Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen maakt bij veel Rotterdammers iets los. Verbazing en nieuwsgierigheid, maar ook trots en inspiratie. Rotterdamse Poëet M. schreef de tekst ‘Bouwgrond’, muzikant Winterdagen maakte de muziek en filmmaker Ruben Hamelink maakt een gelijknamige film als een visuele
Living History – Film - Work in progress (multi-screen film installation)
This project explores the different ways in which American citizens interact with the history of the Civil War and the institution of slavery through reenactment. How do different historical narratives influence the contemporary identity and political opinions of American society and its citizens today? As soon as the Civil War ended, veterans organized re-enactments to rebuild national unity. Today thousands of highly motivated ‘living historians’ live out their version of what it must have been like to live and fight during ‘the war that forged the nation’. It is their way of being in touch with their ancestry and history.
Free Runners of Gaza - Parkour is the sport of moving rapidly through an urban area, overcoming obstacles by running,jumping, and climbing.
But to the members of Gaza Parkour and Free Running it is more. It's a way to take charge over their
own risks, dangers, opportunities and personal development. It is a way to show they are not defined
by their problems, but by their actions. It's an expression of defiance.
The numerous wars have left entire neighborhoods destroyed. To many Palestinians these symbolize
the ongoing conflict and problems they face, but these remnants of war also act as the stage on which
the team members prove they are not merely victims, but actors in their own search for freedom.
Not only has the sport of parkour given these teenagers an opportunity to channel their fears,
frustrations, anger and energy into something truly beautiful, it has shown them that they are able to
control their own future and thereby set them on a path towards a better life.
Vietnamese Veterans - Photographer Ruben Hamelink travelled around Vietnam photographing and interviewing Vietnamese veterans in the areas around Diên Biên Phu, Hà Nôi, Hô Chí Minh City and the province of Quang Tri. This book tells the personal stories, memories and feelings of the men and women who fought for Vietnam in four different wars throughout the past century, and focuses on how these wars have influenced their lives. The project acknowledges and gives a voice to those people who have played such crucial roles in Vietnamese history, and yet whose stories have remained largely unknown.
