In the hearts of millions of people, young and old from all over the world, the name Provence holds a special place, full of affection and fascination.
My own long and passionate love affair with Provence was born in the summer of 1951, when I, an engineering student on holiday, arrived in Cannes for the first time. Soon, another Dutch guy and I formed a duo of
travelling musicians, playing our guitars and singing all kinds of songs in a great variety of places for people of different nationalities and social backgrounds. Our act was so successful that we continued for several summers until well into the 1960s, all the while meeting new people and exploring a world filled with unforgettable experiences. We weremusiciens ambulants, wandering minstrels, true bohemians living a life of intense exploration and great diversity that often led to extraordinary situations.
This exciting life of freedom and adventure suited me very well because I have always had a rather unconventional approach to the priorities of my existence. It is based in part on my experiences during the Second World War as a civilian prisoner of war in several Japanese concentration camps in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. (I am writing a semi-autobiographical novel inspired by my life in these camps.)
Over the years of our adventures, I made many black-and-white photographs, putting together a wide-ranging collection of pictures of colourful characters from many walks of life. These candid, revealing portraits are a loving, joyous, thought-provoking, but above all honest historical documentary record, celebrating the lively spirit of those times and the enchanting heart of Provence. Thus began my career as an artist working in the photographic perspective called humanistic reportage.
I am truly honoured to be able to show in this exhibition some of the photographs taken between 1957 and 1961, a few of the many I want to include in my next project, the book Bonjour Provence! with photographs and text about my travels. Please enjoy an original look at these golden days of the land of glorious light, magnificent Provence, the playground of Southern France.
- Toni Harting
Jet Fuel Coffee Shop — 519 Parliament Street — Toronto — tel. 416-968-9982
(one block north of Carlton)
March 3-30, 2007; 7 am - 8 pm — opening reception Friday, March 2; 8-10 pm
