Perfect Day

Mechanisms of tourism

After a few quieter years, hordes of tourists are out in force once more, looking for ‘adventure’. But what is it that makes for a perfect holiday? And what are the mechanisms that underlie tourism? The Rijksmuseum commissioned Mounir Raji for Document Nederland 2023, and the subject he chose is the ultimate tourist experience: the cruise. It’s all about lounging around, all-inclusive tours… and lots and lots of ice cream. It’s everything you could want from a holiday – and more.

Opposite experience

Most of Mounir Raji’s own holidays used to be trips to see family members: ‘We would drive to Morocco and stay there for six weeks, without any set plan. I didn’t see myself as a tourist.’ For this assignment he wanted the exact opposite of his previous experiences. So he travelled to Florida, where he boarded an eight-day cruise that stopped off at Curacao, Aruba and the Bahamas. As Raji explains, ‘You step into another world, like it’s an escape from daily life – a place where security, entertainment and comfort are the order of the day.’

All the ingredients

Unlike cities or the countryside, everything about a cruise is designed for tourism. It brings together all the ingredients of a holiday: entertainment and relaxation, in the comfort and safety of a large ship. Here, every day is a perfect day. But are the tourists even aware of the crew members, their impact on nature, or the local people? Raji entered the safe bubble that is a cruise for this photo series and takes us with him on his journey. Experience it all for yourself, with a visit to the Rijksmuseum.

Mounir Raji

Mounir Raji (b. 1982) is a photographer, image-maker and researcher renowned for the warmth and realism of his pictures. Alongside his commercial work, Raji has made several series that have been exhibited at Kunstmuseum Den Haag and elsewhere. 2023 saw the publication of his first photo book, Dreamland, his homage to Morocco.

Document Nederland Junior

The Document Nederland Junior exhibition runs concurrently with Document Nederland in the Rijksmuseum’s photography gallery. Document Nederland Junior is an annual photography competition for secondary school and college students. The theme this year is the same as for Document Nederland: tourism. Ten nominee young photographers will receive a masterclass from Mounir Raji and experts from the Rijksmuseum. The show will include all ten series by the nominees. On 28 September 2023, the announcement will be made of two winners (one secondary school student, and one college student) selected from the ten nominees.

Document Nederland Junior is made possible by The Vink Foundation/Rijksmuseum Fund.

Thanks

Perfect Day. Mounir Raji Photographs Tourism (29 September 2023 to 14 January 2024) is made possible in part by the Floor Fund/Rijksmuseum Fund, the Familie Van Ogtrop Fund/Rijksmuseum Fund and Rijksmuseum NEXT.

Document Nederland

The Rijksmuseum’s annual Document Netherland photography commission has been running since 1975. For each edition, the Rijksmuseum invites a Dutch photographer to capture a specific, topical social theme. The previous recipients of the commission are:

Bert Nienhuis, Eddy Posthuma de Boer, Dolf Toussaint, Han Singels, Koen Wessing, Hans van den Bogaard, Catrien Ariëns, Bertien van Manen, Paul Babeliowsky, Jan Everhard, Eduard de Kam, Joost Guntenaar, Kors van Bennekom, Pieter Boersma, Ed van der Elsken, Hans Aarsman, Harry Meijer, Oscar van Alphen, Han Singels, Maya Pejic, René de Wit, Michel Pellanders, Theo Baart, Cary Markerink, Dolf Toussaint, Oscar van Alphen, Ferry André de la Porte, Nick Sinclair, Jannes Linders, André-Pierre Lamoth, Theo Bos, Hannes Wallrafen, Werry Crone, Reinier Gerritsen, Luuk Kramer, Roel Visser, Harrie Timmermans, Taco Anema, Bert Verhoeff, Koen Wessing, Catrien Ariëns, Céline van Balen, Stephan Vanfleteren, Mark Power, Eva Leitolf, Bart Sorgedrager, Morad Bouchakour, Janine Schrijver, Justin Jin, Jan van IJken, Geert van Kesteren, Raymond Wouda, Marnix Goossens, Ad van Denderen, Ilse Frech, Dana Lixenberg, Henk Wildschut, Hans van der Meer, Carel van Hees, Anoek Steketee, Stacii Samidin, Martijn van de Griendt and Sharelly Emanuelson.