Afstudeerproject

Darkest Light

Thirty percent of humanity can no longer see the light band on the night sky. It is a sad thought that our generation is growing up without ever seeing the Milky Way (domestically).

Our Western culture is the first to lose the awareness of the relationship between the universe and man. This is caused by light pollution, an effect due to growing urbanization. The Netherlands is the most “light-polluted” country in Europe.

The project ‘Darkest Light' is a visual search for a magical experience with nature. Inside the Dark Sky Parks in Holland, a country where almost every inch of nature is artificial, I searched for the Galaxy. Looking for this magical experience with real nature, now that it’s still possible.

Thesis

The Silent Activist

I work with activist subjects but I do not recognise myself in the characteristics of the activist photographer. My activist position is rather based on the choice of subject and intention than in the way I speak about the topic. How can I, as a maker, express myself about the fragile relationship between man and nature, without being an activist? As an artist, do you have a message or goal? And which method can inspire and help me to pursue and express myself? How can beauty and activism strengthen each other? I found the answer in my kaleidoscopic working method. The tension in my work is my visual strength. As an artist I can use beauty and aesthetics to enchant the viewer. I call myself a ‘Silent Activist’.