Kleinveld & Julien’s E2 concept

While working together on the Before During After project (Louisiana Photographer’s Respond to Hurricane Katrina), photographers Kleinveld & Julien decided to embark on a new body of work in response to the inequalities which were exposed during Hurricane Katrina but have yet to be fully addressed. Kleinveld & Julien, both from New Orleans and working under the artist name (E2), aim to bring about a discussion on the consequences of stereotypes and how they can lead to prejudice and discrimination.

In order to bring about this dialogue, E2 decided to take iconic images from paintings, photography, film and even literature and remake them with a twist.  Beginning with the Flemish Primitives and spanning almost 600 years of art history, this series is done in conjunction with the Dutch National Theatre, which generously provides many of the costumes, wigs and props for the historical images. Highlights of the series include works based on: Titian’s Venus of Urbino (1538), Velázquez’ Venus at her Mirror (1647-51), Rembrandt’s the Jewish Bride (1665), Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665), David’s Death of Marat (1793), Hayez’ the Kiss (1859), and Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe (1863).

E2 has also developed a coat of arms, playing with the traditional symbol of the aristocracy and giving it a completely new meaning. E2’s coat has their logo in the middle with the fleur de lis on top (which stands for New Orleans), two pelicans on either side (the symbol of Louisiana) and a ribbon gracing the shield, with the phrase: In Empathy We Trust. This idea came about after they were inspired by the work of Claire du Duras, who wrote Ourika in 1824. This novella was one of the first times in history that a writer tried to put themselves in the shoes of someone from another race or culture. E2 hopes that their work will ask the viewer to do the same.