Could you tell us about these two pictures, "Incognito" and "Playground"? Are they both visions of the city?In
my work, I’m oftentimes searching for archetypical images of modern
city spaces. Places that everyone somehow knows and instantly
recognizes. The picture "Incognito" is such a vision of an archetypal
city.
My work is also about the construction and deconstruction of
these cityscapes, and about how fast - even indifferently - huge changes
take place. "Playground" is about cityscapes that have been built, that
constantly change, grow, diminish. Cityscapes that are repudiated and
slowly fall apart.
In your work, paper is a
central material. You cut, glue, paste, and sometimes even tear it. What
are the expressive possibilities offered by paper?
I like to
work with paper and cardboard because of the simplicity of these
materials. A white piece of paper almost stands as a symbol for empty or
blank. I don’t think paper has endless expressive possibilities – on
the contrary, and that is precisely the most interesting aspect about
paper. Paper’s limited possibilities provide me with strict boundaries
while carrying out my projects. It’s like a set of blocks. You can
choose from certain forms, colours and structures. I like to cultivate
and enhance those limitations, while still trying to provoke complex
associations.
Looking closely at the pictures, one can see
imperfections marring the surface of the paper structures. Is it
important for you to preserve this roughness?
It’s very
important for my work. At first sight, the image appears to be very
clean and spotless, almost perfect, as in a computer print. Further
examination reveals a rough side to the objects in the photos, an
imperfection that provides personality, in a way, to the alleged initial
emptiness. The seams, cuts and glue spots are also aspects that
contribute to the experience of the cityscapes as quickly built scenery,
often destined to exist for a brief time.
Limited edition, numbered and signed.