I am a video artist with a background in graphic design. Filming, to me, is akin to a thought process, a way to explore situations unknown to me. I analyse the structures, functions and transformative power of (urban) landscapes and the human interactions within these. Reality, that which we perceive, and fictional elements, that which we imagine, are my tools for conducting an analysis as well as creating a visual composition. I document these landscapes in an intuitive way, with almost photographic film footage. The amasement and wonder I feel is what I try to convey to my audience, with work that raises more questions than it answers.
My art is created by immersing myself in an unfamiliar environment as well as the process of examining social issues and collecting personal stories; a method not unlike that of an anthropologist. By opening a dialogue with residents, users, makers, designers and policy makers, I approach a theme from various angles.
The location and context alike determine the interactions established with the audience. The interviews and film footage merge within a spatial video installation, bringing about an interplay between multiple screens that highlights not only the contradictions between images, but also their similarities.
www.mirtevanduppen.nl