Besides the fact that art can offer us stillness, reflection and inspiration, art in turn asks us to take the time to wonder.
Joke J. Hermsen, writer and philosopher
I am on holiday at the time of writing this blog. A period par excellence to take the time, to get out of time, to grab a handful of silence, as artist Mark Rothko so beautifully puts it. One of the places where this worked out very well in recent weeks was on the Marker Wadden. More about that later.
For some time now I have been working on two photo projects in which the concept of 'time' plays a crucial role. For one project I travel into the Frisian landscape, for an exhibition in England next year I dive into the poetry of Emily Dickinson. 'Time' therefore keeps me quite busy and, now that I have delved into it in such a way, it appears to be that time is a common thread in my life: always (wanting to) arrive on time for an appointment, always looking for the balance between taking the time and feeling of running out of time; often feel rushed.
'True time only comes to life when the clocks stop', I read recently.
And now, during my holiday, I notice once again how nourishing it is when the clocks stop, when I take the time, when I slow down.. Apart from how good that is for my body, it is also good for my creativity. The peace and quietness of a holiday in which I 'legitimately' put my phone on silent, do little to none social media and whatsapp and the aforementioned Marker Wadden made my head come to rest and my creativity came to life.
The Marker Wadden. New Land. A place where it seems as if time has already settled there. Or is it just a feeling of timelessness? This area has only been around for a few years and yet it feels like I am walking on an ancient island. New and old, time and timelessness, strength and vulnerability alternate here constantly. It is a place where I feel intensely that I am a guest. Cautiously and aware of a confusing experience of time, I explore, taking my time, in silence, this extraordinary new land.
And then, deeply impressed and with a camera full of images, I sail back to Enkhuizen in the middel of storm and rain. View a first impression of the Marker Wadden in artwork. It is my first imagination of the Marker Wadden. A place, for me, of rising new land, strength and renewal.
My search for what time is, can be and can bring will continue for some time. The in-between 'time', the time that I am 'out of time', is my pre-eminent moment of creation. Over the past few weeks I have once again experienced how I long for this interim period, to take the time. A good intention to look this up regularly.
Viewing art also requires 'taking the time'. In the silence of time you enter a space that is far removed from the daily noise, far away from the daily madness of the day, to finally experience wonder and to be connect. Connect with the work of art, the artist, but above all with yourself. Think of it as nourishment for the soul.
And viewing art will be possible in a number of places in the near future! After a beautiful exhibition at the Fotolokaal this summer, there are three new exhibitions on the agenda this autumnl!
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to (one of) my upcoming exhibitions. In Terherne, at my home, I will show you an overview of my work during the weekend of 23 and 24 October during Proef de Kunst. During Art Month Ameland I will be exhibiting the entire month of November with the Join the Unknown series in large format. And finally, from November 14 till December 12 I exhibit new and existing work at gallery Forma Aktua in Groningen. I very much look forward to see you during (one of) the exhibitions!
By taking the time you will see more and look differently
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