LISA VAN KATWIJK

The Box is a project I worked on in May and June 2024. Together with my friend Robbe , I set out with a few simple items: a handmade box, a stool, a tripod, a Hasselblad camera, and a reflector. Simple.

 

The challenge for me was to approach people I wouldn’t normally talk to. Everyone lives in their own bubble, and usually, you don’t get the chance to pull a stranger out of it. I wanted to see if I could reach out and create a connection. The box became my tool for starting conversations with strangers. People are probably more approachable than we think, right?

 

I used the box to frame people, and each one interacted with it in their own way. It felt both human and a little funny. With my analog camera, I took one photo per person, one chance to capture the moment. To me, it felt like I was capturing their essence inside the box. The box created its own world, with a new visitor each time. It showed me that, while we are all the same, we are also different, because the box changes too.

 

It was incredible to meet and photograph people in this way. There were funny moments, conversations, and smiles. Thank you to everyone who took part in this project, and thank you, box, for creating these beautiful experiences. Sometimes, all you need is a box.