Olaf’s highly theatrical mise-en-scenes recall the early ’60s, underscored by a diluted colour palette. He seeks inspiration from this period of major social changes, the rise of feminism, a prospering middle-class, globalisation and the haunting influence of television in nouveau-riche American households.
In 2009, Olaf was commissioned by the grand DeLaMar Theatre in Amsterdam to create a series featuring classic and 20th Century plays from ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ to ‘The Sunshine Boys’. The series was to hang on the walls throughout the theatre and to celebrate its reopening.
Olaf made eight stills of reimagined stage productions of the chosen plays, using real actors and comedians as models. The surreal and playful images are packed with drama, comedy, dance and music. With meticulous lighting and careful compositions, the pictures emulate the experience of going to the theatre.