Michiel van der Werf

ARTIFICIAL CLOUDS
2023
cotton wool on cardboard
40 x 30 cm
WINDOW 2
2023
aluminium blinds with artificial leaves
40 x 30 cm
All you need to know about soccer
2024
chalkboard marker on wooden panel(s)
40 x 30 cm

Michiel shares a booth with Anan Striker & Maarten Nico

“Fascinated by everyday traces of the unconscious.”

For my series ‘Artificial clouds’, I was inspired by the chemtrails that airplanes leave behind. Although I prefer to keep both feet on the ground, I still wanted to be able to take a closer look at these patterns. But how can you look at something up close that becomes less visible the closer you get? By recreating it artificially with cotton wool!

I mainly work with recycled materials and everyday items that we use in and around the house. I am always looking for materials that can have multiple meanings. I try to use humour to expose our relationship between technology and nature.

I see a visual pattern in the traces we leave behind. For the series ‘Windows’ and ‘Concrete tiles’, I became fascinated by plants trapped between blinds and chewing gum traces on the ground. In these small details, human behavior takes a great significance for me.

 

Website

Instagram

ARTIFICIAL CLOUDS
2023
cotton wool on cardboard
40 x 30 cm
WINDOW 2
2023
aluminium blinds with artificial leaves
40 x 30 cm
All you need to know about soccer
2024
chalkboard marker on wooden panel(s)
40 x 30 cm