Artists: Robin Noorda & Margot van de Stolpe

Durst Lambda print mounted on a 3mm dibond behind 3mm acrylic glass, size 60x90cm, edition 0f 10.

[ Also available as TruLife^®, a very special quality mounting of the print: a Durst Lambda print mounted on black acrylic plate behind very low reflection acrylic glass. Please send us an email so we can inform you about the extra costs: info@sandvoort.gallery ]

ULTRA VANITY

Still life photography in the colour perception of insects

The artists Robin Noorda and Margot van de Stolpe of the Tropism Art & Science Foundation, collaborate in the art project ‘Ultra Vanity’ and use a special technique in a series of still life photographs.

The concept of our baroque series ‘Ultra Vanity’ sheds new light on plants, flowers, food, natural history objects and taxidermy objects. We arrange these in the ‘vanitas’ way of the old masters, while capturing the still life in a contemporary perception.

By means of the so called ‘Ultra Violet Induced Visible Fluorescence’ (UVIVF) technique, organic matter presents an unfamiliar colour scheme. Hereby we enter the domain of insects and birds that can see in the UV spectrum the secret messages of plants. The stamens of flowers light up bright as they have to lure insects and flower leaves show patterns that act as landing strips, leading the way to the nectar. Birds spot ripe berries and fruits in UV better. Through this magical perception shift in nocturnal colours, we aim to achieve an experience of awe and awakening. We think a different perspective and a broader spectrum invokes one to see more…”

The photos are made in complete darkness and special protective glasses must be worn. The subtile fluorescence effect is evoked during minute-long exposures with the invisible, but dangerous and literally blinding light of a 365 nm wavelength UV light source. The special colour spectrum is not artificially manipulated, but the fluorescence result of the specific UV light source and simulates the colour perception of insects. These photos of the subtle UVIVF phenomenon are then added up together in stacks in order to gain enough luminescence to let the picture emerge. A laborious method that, due to the long shutter times, is reminiscent of the magic of the early days of photography.