Going Dutch Blog

As we get ready for the trip, here some of the movies art and design fans will enjoy with Dutch connections. The check marks show my ratings.

Black Book: A beautiful Jewish woman joins the Dutch resistance during WWII. This gripping Hollywood-style flick told in English, but with a Dutch director, star, and story line. √√√√

Helvetica: This documentary about the most ubiquitous typeface of the late 20th century includes shots in Amsterdam and and interview with Dutch modernist designer Wim Crouwel.√√√

Girl with a Pearl Earring: A beautiful young woman becomes Vermeer’s secret muse. Great view of Dutch life in the 17th Century. √√√

Operation Amsterdam: This 1959 spy film based in fact that shows how British agents worked to keep diamonds from the Nazis. Diamonds are a big Dutch industry, and this flick is pretty exciting. √√√

Dutch Light: This 2003 Dutch documentary explores the mythical Dutch light, and it’s role in the work of Rembrandt and other 17th century masters. Made by the de Kroon brothers, two Dutch filmmakers. √√√

Going Dutch is a month-long study abroad program May 30–June 28 that has been created specifically for Tennessee students in graphic design, photography, and art. Students will live in the Netherlands and study either Digital Photography or History of Graphic Design. This program is approved for credit by the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies.

The Netherlands is a country rich in art, design, and photography opportunities. It is the home of the artists Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Mondrian. Dutch designers include Wim Crouwel, who appeared in the recent documentary Helvetica. The Dutch movement De Stijl included designer Piet Zwart and architect Gerrit Rietveld, whose Red and Blue Chair appears above.

For photography students the country is full of unique imagery including canals, architecture, windmills, and the street life of Amsterdam.