Ypres, and the visitors speak out loud!
Over 40,000 people viewed the work at the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, the impression the work made on them is clear in the words they were inspired to write.
Thibault – Each picture is not only a masterpiece, but an awareness about who we are and who we should not try to become. The past is so present in our future
Damian Houvet – This is a very nice project. It creates a surprising link between our past and present days. With an incredible art of retouching pictures, you have created something new which celebrates history and shows the importance of mine clearance
Gregory – These pictures need no words to understand what you want to say!
Amanda Wills – I saw the exhibition of Ian’s work yesterday at the In Flanders fields Museum in Ypres. It moved me more than any of the other exhibitions there.
Madeline – This morning we visited the photo exhibition ‘Recovering The Past at the In Flanders fields Museum, Ypres. Such beautiful photos!
Claire Leigh – I feel very fortunate to have seen these photos displayed at the In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres. It is the first time I ever felt so moved and emotional when looking at photos in an exhibition. These must be seen by others, both young and old. My teenage daughter also found these photos both interesting and educational, and gave her a new outlook on the Great War.
Kara – I saw this exhibition last week at the In Flanders Fields Museum and was moved by Ian’s photos. These pieces of art really force one to think of the consequences of war, even years after the war is over. Great exhibit!
Carolien Hofland – On Friday 25th August I visited Passendale and the In Flanders Fields Museum. All very impressive. But these photos are something special. The artist was there and told us something about his work. Very interesting. Everyone should be able to see them, these images stay with you for a very long time.
Katrina Jones – We visited the museum and came across this exhibition. Poignant, respectful, powerful. Thank you for your compassionate treatment of the subject.
Chris Turner – A stunning work of art, but more importantly, a stunning illustration of how World War One still affects us today. Ian has done an amazing job in illustrating how the historical battles of the past still haunt and threaten us today. This exhibition really must be seen by a wider audience as it is a powerful warning to mankind for future conflicts!
Ronald Bontje – I have never seen this kind of photographs in my life and were really caught by the situation and message that goes from it. In my opinion, this was one of the highlights of the museum. This is ART in capitals.
David, Annette and Zoe – …the museum itself was very interesting and moving, but when we reached the end we came across these absolutely amazing and moving pieces of art, the perfect blend of past and present had me mesmerised. Very emotional realising how the past affects the present.
Harry Rogge – During this summer, I have attended a lot of commemorative ceremonies and visited a lot of exhibitions about 100 years of Passchendaele. Most of these were moving and interesting, but the exhibition ‘Recovering The Past’ from Ian Alderman is by far the most original and relevant of them all.
Jackson Lock – Was pretty cool to meet you and listen to the stories behind your pictures. The art itself was incredible and to hear how much time and attention to detail you put into it was mind blowing.
Elise – Ian, it’s amazing how you made art of all these pictures. You let people see and give them the chance to make their own story. I went home with a great feeling, glad that I had the chance to meet you and to see your work. Go on with showing this work to the world. There are not enough words for it. Great job, you can be proud of yourself!
Els Thienpondt – So happy to have stumbled upon this temporary exhibition at the In Flanders Fields Museum. Rounding the corner and seeing these photographs made me do a double take. The artist’s explanations made the experience even more interesting. I’ve travelled a lot and visited many art exhibitions around Europe, and this one will definitely be remembered.
Bob Hall – I was fortunate to be shown around this exhibition by the artist who was able to explain so much about the background to the work. The concept is wonderful and the juxtaposition of old and new adds some real perspective to one’s understanding of the Great War. In several images I felt a very strong sense that these spectral figures from the past were reaching out to the contemporary men with clear empathy for their dangerous work. An impressive, original and thought provoking exhibition which I was very pleased to have seen.
Charlotte – Wow is all i can say! The most amazing photographic exhibition….
Gary Jones – Exceptional…
Paul – So powerful and impressive. Ian Alderman has cleverly managed to draw a line a link between the past and the present.
Hywel Davies – These really are an extraordinary set of images, and very much a work-of-art, with real meaning and power. The notion of superimposing old and new images is not new in itself new, but the sheer technical mastery shown here turns this into something special. A fantastic, moving and powerful work of art and storytelling!
Luke – As soon as I saw the first picture, I immediately knew I was looking at something special.
Unknown – Every once in a while something is so powerful it grabs all your emotions at once and holds you mesmerised. The more I saw your photographs the more I felt them, the more I learned, the more I believed in the people in the room with me coming out of the frames. It made the war real, it made it relevant, it made it out of people instead of text books and relics.
Louise Barnes – The ‘unspoken communication’ between the subjects, separated by 100 years, is incredibly powerful.
Carmel Price – The techniques used to produce the set of 25 images are truly unique. In particular, the concept that the B&W images’ subjects should have equal prominence and presence as the current day bomb disposal officers is terrific.