he 60s and 70s saw the Netherlands experiencing what could only be called a cultural revolution, and as a result, has been producing cutting-edge art and design ever since. For me, it was the experimental music distributed from the Netherlands (to the U.S. via Portland Oregon, ironically) that started my interest and ever since it’s been a big plus sign for me when I stumble upon a band, book, or artist from the region. In this case it was a book.

I came across the Blommers/Schumm book Anita and was blown away by their work. Anita collects, alphabetically, portraits of people, mostly young women and men shot for various magazines as wells as work from their many exhibitions. I’m particularly loving the Class of 1998 series for Self Service Magazine where their mastery of microscopic detail and enormous vision are displayed to perfection.

Work from the Netherlands may be slightly too clinical for some, and the U.S. for example, seems to have a particular lack of interest, but I think it’s worth mentioning that I find the work coming from the Netherlands to be quite timeless. Most of the above photos are at least 12 years old, and yet they look like they were produced yesterday. And I still spin my Funckarma vinyl.