This exhibition is an ode to the cyanotype, an age-old technique that creates deep blue hues. At a time when AI images can be created in an instant, the cyanotype is making a comeback. Sunlight, water, shadow and time contribute to the image. This simplicity results in prints that are both durable and layered. This deep-blue visual language is an inspiration for many contemporary artists. It helps create beautiful images and places reality in a new and surprising perspective.
This exhibition is an ode to the cyanotype, an age-old technique that creates deep blue hues. At a time when AI images can be created in an instant, the cyanotype is making a comeback. Sunlight, water, shadow and time contribute to the image. This simplicity results in prints that are both durable and layered. This deep-blue visual language is an inspiration for many contemporary artists. It helps create beautiful images and places reality in a new and surprising perspective.
A simple chemical photographic process
Cyanotype uses light and a relatively simple photographic process. No camera or lens is needed. This analogue process was invented in 1842 in England by Sir John Herschel. Botanist and photographer Anna Atkins made it appealing and accessible to a wide audience. Originally used for scientific documentation, this process has many artistic applications. Cyanotype is loved for its simplicity and accessibility. It uses far fewer harmful substances than other photographic processes, making it a sustainable alternative.
Themes: ecology, the colonial past and present, the body as archive
The exhibition opens with Anna Atkins’ rare album “Photographs of British Algae.” In the 19th century, Atkins introduced a new way of capturing nature and light. She used the cyanotype process to create detailed blueprints of plant species, including seaweed and algae. The album is considered the world’s first photobook. We are currently exploring the possibility of including this work in the exhibition. By combining this 19th century technique with new media and diverse materials, 15 contemporary artists have breathed new life into cyanotypes. Their work explores three intertwined themes: ecology, colonialism, and the body as archive.
Participating artists
Anne Geene, Arash Fakhim, Farah Rahman, Glithero, Marijn Kuijper, Maryam Touzani, Muhcine Ennou, Pai Dekkers, Rabin Huissen, Ričards Briška, Sarojini Lewis, Shehera Grot, Suzette Bousema, Vincent Zanni en Yasmijn Karhof