TRENDS in PHOTOGRAPHY: Desmond VINK (the Netherlands)

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'Persefone'

Studie fotografie gevolgd aan de Vrije Academie in den Haag en vervolgde deze na een jaar met de opleiding Fotografische Vormgeving aan de Koninklijke Academie Van Beeldende Kunsten te Den Haag. Na in 1992 cum laude te zijn afgestudeerd begonnen aan een tweede-fase opleiding aan dezelfde Academie. Deze bestond uit een reeks Workshops die begeleid werden door bekende fotografen als Diane Blok, Laura Samson-Rous, Rineke Dijkstra en Rommert Boonstra. Tijdens deze tweede-fase opleiding is er gewerkt aan het project 'Europa', waarvan het eindresultaat te zien was in Naarden op het fotofestival 1993.

'Homo European'

Desmond Vink -´Homo European´

The image Homo European was a commission from ´Fotofestival Naarden´ 1993. Students from different academies represented the theme Europe and the images were exhibited in Naarden in the open air for 3 weeks.
The image ´Homo European´ -4x6 metres- originated from the idea of a United Europe, standardisation of currency and loss of identity, a United Europe like Uncle Sam´s United States of America.

The anonymous beauty is represented by two images of Miss Europe without a face. Between these women the portrait of Uncle Sam. This time not with dollar signs in his eyes but ecu´s, the European currency. Over the figures of Miss Europe are printed the names of European cities and places, some are completely fictive. What is important, is the effect like an epitaph: a list of war victims. The background of the whole triptych is a bombed flat, not an unfamiliar image in 1993: the war of Yugoslavia. This is the direct background of ´Homo European´. At the same time it can also be another war in Europe; again different names supporting the idea. Will this new currency mean a new war?

In my work I research the meaning of abstractions like death, decay or the stereotype of beauty. From here I work towards a new understanding of these concepts; something different from reality without fantasy. In fact these new images will surpass reality as a myth: the result is estrangement from reality.

Starting point is a combination of portraiture and space, photographed separately. I make use of disintegrated natural, but still recognisable elements. I combine and manipulate these images in the computer, until I find the ultimate combination between natural and mythical elements, to create a graphic image with a natural content. As a way of expression I use estrangement in the spirit of the artist who wants to create a myth.

Lester - Desmond Vink

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