Vincent van Gaalen
Works by Vincent van Gaalen
Absence – Hohe Tauern (1) – Austria, 2021
Fine Art Print on Baryta Paper
Absence – Hohe Tauern (2) – Austria, 2021
Fine Art Print on Baryta Paper
Absence - Serrania de Cuenca – Spain, 2021
Fine Art Print on Baryta Paper
Absence – Picos de Europa – Spain, 2021
Fine Art Print on Baryta Paper
Roe deer, 2020
Fine Art Print Baryta
Badger, 2020
Fine Art Print Baryta
About
With a degree in photography from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, Dutch photographer Vincent van Gaalen travels to the darkest areas of Europe where the veil of nocturnal darkness has yet to be invaded by artificial light pollution. Through meticulously executed photography, van Gaalen studies the age-old friction between creating mankind and the autonomy of nature.
In his ongoing project ‘Absence’ started in 2020, Van Gaalen photographs our human absence amidst the darkness of the night surrounded only by his equipment, a tent, and some provisions. Leaves, stones, water and air catch the light of the moon and stars. The deepest blacks emerge, outlines are enhanced. In this world, as darkness takes control, reason makes way for imagination and vulnerability. Among the vast, muted landscapes is a shrouded ecosystem teeming with hidden life. The landscape remains barely visible - but tangible all the more.
These fragile moonlit landscapes enveloped in a barely-perceptible silver light invite viewers into a serene observation of nature untampered by the industrial human hand. Far from the fearful perception of darkness as a result of years of evolution, these landscapes offer a peaceful solace and respite from urban society.
Vitae
-
2011
Graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague (Photography).
-
2022
Atelier K84 (Amsterdam), 'Absence', solo. 18 March - 17 May
WestEnd (The Hague), 'Absence', solo. 4 June - 17 July
Museum de Fundatie (Zwolle), 'Klimaatexpo - Absence', group exhibition. 17 September - 4 December
BBA Photography Prize Exhibition 2022 (Berlin), - Absence', group exhibition. 4 November - 13 November
Cityscapes Foundation (Amsterdam), Climate City - Absence', group exhibition. 4 November - 19 November
-
2022
November: 1st prize: 'BBA Photography Prize'.
-
2022
June: Foundation Eye on Nature (€10,000)
October: Makers The Hague grant scheme for 'Clouds of Progress' (€8,000).
-
2022
April: NRC Cultural supplement/visual arts - review Toef Jaeger 'Zwart Landschap'
May: Trouw Zeitgeist/seeing - 'Absence'- tip from the editor Nienke Schipper
May: KlimaatExpo - online publication - 'Absence'- Calien Oudes.
May: De Lage Landen - online publication - 'Absence'- Maya Toebat
