I believe he chose me. At the beginning of the adventure, he became my knight, defending me against all attacks on Facebook.
It wasn't easy to build everything I have, and I managed it thanks to his invisible help as well. He believed in my project. Our project.
One day, we argued: one of those absurd arguments that can happen via email. We made peace. I don't remember either the reason for the argument or how it was resolved; I only know that he became my right-hand man. If I needed anything, he was always there, ready with a message on WhatsApp.
He talked to me about his pains and the infinite joy he was destined for in recent years. And then he flew away.
Leaving a void in all of us.
BH
Here are the photos. To me, these are very special as they are the last photos that he took, some just a day before his unfortunate accident. And they really show his passion and talent for street photography, in a city where he ended his life in a very happy state. There is even one where you can see him in the car mirror, which must be the last photograph of him.
This is the final paragraph in a eulogy I wrote for him:
"In recent months, I have spent some time poring over photos of him for the purposes of making a slideshow of his life, but I have also been looking at his own work. I spent some time editing his most recent photos, some of which you can see in the slideshow, including some from the day before he was critically injured, wandering the streets of Havana. While my father dabbled in different styles over the decades, I think the thing he loved most was street photography. He loved immersing himself in the chaos of a busy city and documenting the fleeting moments of beauty. He had a great talent for photographing people – not only in a candid state, but also by making them smile and laugh on purpose, and capturing their radiance. I like to think that this passion of his reflects an overall love for humanity that he carried with him everywhere he went, in particular in his final years. I think this is also reflected in the sincere, heartfelt outpouring of love and sympathy from several of his communities of friends and fellow photographers when they learned of his passing. And as time passes, this is also how I will remember my father. And I will honour his life by sharing his stories and memories with my son, who carries papa’s name as one of his middle names, together with the name of his other late grandfather."
Rudo Kemper
In this artistic series Frans Kemper wanted to highlight the state of perennial loneliness that every human being feels. No one can enter another's head ... We can only know what’s in our own, but even then, not very well. The series is symbolist, using the number seven as the number of days of the week, the seven heavens of Judaism and the number seven as a magic number. A disturbing interpretation that struck all the judges.
Batsceba Hardy
ProgresFestival, Milano Ottobre 2022
It is rare to meet people like Frans Kemper. Kindness in the hand, a caring heart, kindness, benevolence, at all times. A sense of humor. So many qualities. It is an immense loss. All my love goes to his family, close and far, his family of heart. I still keep your smile Franz during our photographic walk in Cuba and sincerely the best moment. I will always miss you, but your smile and your joy make the greatest
November 2024