Brings art closer
LARTA.NL
Brings art closer
LARTA.NL
Brengt kunst dichterbij
LARTA.NL
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When you contact the Passionate Artist to become a member, we ask you to write a piece, submit photos, etc. The Passionate Artist posts the work himself. You can send an email at any time of the month to adjust your advertisement, add events, etc.
We will adjust this for you as soon as possible, ideally the same day.
INTERVIEWS
What moves an artist?
What is art for artists?
How did they begin?
What tips would they like to share?
Sjaak Kroes
May 2022, Utrecht.
Street Poet.
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Who are you and what characterizes your work as a poet?
I am a sensitive man, with an interest in the world around me. With a creative urge to express myself through words, I aim to enrich others. I enjoy adventure and try to be of service to others through my talents.
My work is characterized by the choice of beautiful imagery, often intertwined with nostalgia, "the little things." I make use of free verse, wordplay, and alliteration. I find it a challenge to present recognizable elements in a fresh and innovative way.
Take us to where your passion for poetry began.
In high school, after reading books, I would always write a poem to include in the book report, even when it wasn’t asked for. At a later age, I started writing poems for women, and I noticed that they enjoyed them. By the time I decided to make poetry my career, I had already developed a deep love for writing poems.
״My work is characterized by the choice of beautiful imagery, often intertwined with nostalgia, 'the little things'.״
- Sjaak Kroes
Sjaak Kroes.
When did you decide to become a full-time poet?
I wanted to turn my life around; things weren’t going the way I wanted. I felt I had talents to share. A friend of mine had seen a street poet in New York, and she said, “If anyone can do that, it’s you.” That’s how I started, with a little table and two chairs in the streets of The Hague. Now, I’ve been a performance artist for over 5 years.
״And that's how I started, with a little table and two chairs in the streets of The Hague. Now, I’ve been a performance artist for over 5 years. ״
- Sjaak Kroes
If you hadn't become a poet, what would you have done?
If I hadn’t become a poet, I would have most likely become a psychologist. It’s a wonderful profession, and indirectly, I am sometimes a counselor now.
As a street poet, you go out every day to earn your living. How do you stay motivated? Do you draw energy from it?
Every day feels like a great adventure. I even miss it when I can’t work. When I recently returned from my holiday in Switzerland, I got straight to work. I landed at 2:30 PM, and by 4:00 PM, I was in the dunes of The Hague sharing my poetry. It’s wonderful to meet people and be of service to them. No day is the same, and each day is rich in its own way. By the end of the season, though, I’m exhausted and really ready for something different.
Sjaak Kroes.
What is the downside of being a street poet?
How people treat you isn’t always pleasant. Sometimes, people look down on what you do. My saying is: "You can look down on me, as long as you don’t overlook me." By saying that, I also make myself a bit smaller. It’s a fantastic profession, and thankfully, many people are incredibly positive. However, I do find it challenging that you have to be creative every day to earn your living, which can create a lot of pressure. The silence and boredom aren’t always easy to handle either. Sometimes, there’s simply no one interested.
Which poem that you’ve written is especially dear to you, and would you like to share it with us?
The poem I want to share is one I wrote 5 years ago for the radio program "De Paradijsvogel." During the broadcast, I found out they hadn’t used the poem, so I decided to memorize it and share it with people on the street:
De paradijsvogel
Mystieke voorstellingen van halfgoden vervagen
bij het beeld van de paradijsvogel.
Ze leiden een volksopstand, en dragen shirtjes van Romario.
Vaandels bundelen golven, die in de winter steevast worden afgeknipt
Ze staan op het toneel, maar verdwijnen net zo makkelijk
in de menigte, om op het terras weer te verschijnen
Ze leven van woorspelingen, maar ze bezinnen niet
En ze verlaten paradijzen, want er wacht een nieuwe wereld
waar onbesproken idealen, nog altijd, wachten op onthulling
״The most magical place where I practice my poetry is still at the top of a beach access point in the dunes. The sea in the background, the joyful people, and the sea grasses embracing you. Amazing. ״
- Sjaak Kroes
Sjaak Kroes.
What is the most special place you’ve stood with your bike?
The most magical place where I practice my poetry is still at the top of a beach access point in the dunes. The sea in the background, the joyful people, and the sand grasses embracing you. It’s incredible.
What encounter, one that's dear to you, would you like to share with us?
When I first started, I was asked to write a poem for a lady who turned out to be the sister of an Oscar winner in the United States. The poem was addressed to him (Edward Field), so I’m still very proud of that. It’s interesting how practicing your passion leads to meeting remarkable people.
״Art enriches you, renews you. Art is the finest product of imagination.״
- Sjaak Kroes
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you have any wild dreams?
In 5 years, I hope to be part of a TV or radio program, working on large projects abroad, maybe even marrying people! Above all, I hope to still be enjoying my craft of word art.
Sjaak Kroes.
What would you like to share with other artists?
Give everything you have every day, and make sure your talent is valued. Both intrinsically and extrinsically. The system we live in runs on money, so ensure that your art is also valued in monetary terms, allowing you to continue creating and ensuring that artists are seen as full-fledged members of society.
What is art for you?
Art is the most beautiful addition to life. It is a personal creation that adds to the very fundamentals of life itself. They say football is the most important trivial thing in life. Perhaps art is the second most important main thing in life. Art enriches you, renews you. Art is the finest product of imagination.
The most important thing? Love above all.
״Art enriches you, renews you. Art is the finest product of imagination.״
- Sjaak Kroes
More
interviews.
Discover more interviews with our LARTA artists.
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