The project
AEON is a multimedia project about space, time and light.
Space, time and light are fundamental elements that together form the connective tissue of our cosmos. Physics bases its theories about the origins and functioning of the universe on these principles.
On a personal level, space, time and light are coordinates in our lives. They are anchor points that give us guidance in where and when we are - relative phenomena that connect each person in their own way with the world around them.
Ever since my early childhood, when I felt the limitations of raised walls, I have been driven by an intrinsic desire for infinite spaciousness, timelessness and a sense of freedom. I give shape to that desire in AEON, a book and an installation with photos, light and sound.
Photographic images form the basis of the project. By using various techniques and editing methods, I let go of any reference to tangible reality. The boundaries between reality and imagination and between the finite and the infinite become blurred.
AEON is about a sensory suggestion of spaciousness and infinite possibilities. There is more than just what meets the eye in the image. Behind the space in the photo lies a whole world, outside the frame the landscape continues endlessly. Guided by elements of light and color, sometimes moving towards a vanishing point in the distance, the physical boundaries of the image dissolve – space, time and light thus become relative. The walls of my youth are still being broken down.
The multi-media installation
In the multi-media installation AEON, I combine photography, light and sound to create an in-depth exploration of space, time and light. Each element in this installation plays a crucial role in evoking an experience that is both sensory and introspective.
The space in which the viewer finds themselves is an integral part of this experience. This space, approximately 6 by 10 meters, is completely darkened, making its boundaries invisible and causing the viewer to lose their sense of anchoring, which induces a feeling of disorientation.
Freely positioned within this space are five large photographs illuminated by light. The photographs are nearly abstract images but clearly evoke themes of space. The soundscape, which drifts through the space and seems to shift locations, further enhances the spatial effect.
Light plays a dual role: it illuminates the photographs while the overall absence of light in the space contributes significantly to the immersive experience. The soundscape further enriches this spatial experience, with sounds seemingly drifting through the environment from varying directions.
Furthermore, this is a time-based artwork. Each photograph is lit by a spotlight that cycles on and off at its own unique pace. One photograph may transition in a minute, while another takes 4 minutes and 12 seconds. This variability results in nearly limitless combinations of visual sequences for viewers to encounter. One may experience a particular arrangement upon entering, only for the subsequent visitor to encounter an entirely different composition. The cycle to return to the original combination would span an unfathomable 38,000 years in this configuration.
The ancient Greeks coined the term "AEON" to describe a time span beyond human comprehension, aptly naming this project.
Credits
AEON has been made possible with the support of many individuals. I am very grateful to each and every one of you for your cooperation. It was a pleasure to work with you all!
Bram Bogaerts
Boekbinderij van Mierlo
Brown Cartonnages / Liesbeth Visser
Cissie van der Ven
Geert-Jan Bogaerts
!mpressed / Shana Coppens
Jolanda van Rijssen
Marc Gijzen
Monique Baan
Mono / Jelle van Doorn
Nicole Segers
Printkader / Jaco van Gent
Spatiebalk
Ton Rigter
Wilcovak
Wouter Hofland
Yori Ettema
033Fotostad / Frans op de Beek
Additionally, I extend my gratitude to all of you who provided me with valuable feedback and insights. You were a multitude!