.Interdependent | Erik van Cuyk

Interdependent - A series about the relationship between humans and the universal transience - Ongoing (txt below)

Series of photo's by Dutch Photographer Erik Van Cuyk, artwork, fine art photography on the theme the relation between nature and human

'Station Zoetermeer'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2023
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm) or 20 x 26,67 inch (50,80 x 67,69 cm) or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

This photo is part of the ongoing series ‘Interdependent’.

On the streets – often where the city meets nature – I seek images that evoke a sense of connection. When that feeling overwhelms me, I capture it.

Reading about the 18th-century philosopher Edmund Burke’s concept of the sublime, I saw parallels with my work, not in Romantic nature, but in everyday, urban spaces.

In a society dominated by media and technology, we grow distant from nature and each other. This evokes a sense of nostalgia for me, as we seem to drift further from both nature and our own humanity.

Through this photography, I invite reflection on our place in the world and our connection to nature and each other.

'Posbank'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2023
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
or 20 x 26,67 inch (50,80 x 67,69 cm)
or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

'Zuiderstrand'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2022
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

'Amsterdam - Bos & Lommer Ring A10'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2023

FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)

'Fermignano #2'

Erik van Cuyk © | IT | 2023
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
or 20 x 26,67 inch (50,80 x 67,69 cm)
or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

'Maarssen (NL)'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2022
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
or 20 x 26,67 inch (50,80 x 67,69 cm)
or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

I often drive through smaller Dutch towns like Maarssen, searching for subjects for my photography. I’m particularly drawn to neighborhoods from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s: lots of concrete with occasional patches of green. These areas were designed to house large numbers of people, built with strong, affordable, and seemingly timeless materials.

I grew up in Zevenaar, a similar small town. As a teenager, it didn’t make me especially happy; everything looked the same, and I longed to escape to the city. Yet even there, I found the same uniformity, though to a lesser extent. A carefully controlled sameness, functional in nature, with occasional attempts to add vibrancy to break the monotony—often by introducing elements of nature. Ironically, it’s the same nature that initially had to make way for development, only to be reintroduced by the hands of builders, neatly curated and restrained, without a chance to follow its own “natural” course.

Although... lately, that might just be changing...

'A50 - Arnhem North'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2021
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)

'Fermignano #1'

Erik van Cuyk © | IT | 2023
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
or 20 x 26,67 inch (50,80 x 67,69 cm)
or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

'Lagos'

Erik van Cuyk © | PT | 2023
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)

'Huissen'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2023
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)

Beauty is everywhere. Sometimes, you just have to make a bit of an effort—stand still, wait, look closely, or take small steps. I love searching for the beauty in the everyday.

Fina art photo by Dutch photographer Erik Van Cuyk, on the photo you see a concrete bridge with green around it

'Terlet'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2022
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
or 20 x 26,67 inch (50,80 x 67,69 cm)
or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

Currently, a number of my photographic works are hanging in the Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen (NL). This concerns a series that I coordinated with the work of Paul den Hollander as part of the @beeldmix.
It is more abstract work that I continuously make in addition to my book projects, and gives my view of the world. For what it's worth…

Philosopher and current 'Thinker des Vaderlands', @marjanslob translates the work as:

- “The photos of Hollander and Van Cuyk are undeniably beautiful. The play of lines, the shadows, the arches: they give aesthetic pleasure. But there is more going on in their photos. Their photos say: 'We are not the boss here. We are passers-by, we will pass by. But the excessive, mysterious reality, that remains.'' –

In the coming period I will post these images here on Instagram. I hope it appeals to you. The photo posted here is from the series ‘Interdependent’ and is about our relationship with nature. See here for a more detailed explanation > www.erikvancuyk.com/interdependent-biophilia-hypothesis

I hesitated for a long time because the photos are quite valuable to me. And I know that the Instagram algorithm is not built for that…

There is also a lot of hard work in it. Many hours, a lot of thinking, worrying and shaving. For a long time I thought: This work is not made for the fleeting Insta. It is about peace and tranquility, you have to see it large on a wall and take some distance.
But now I have come so far that I would like to share it with you here. If it appeals to you or you have any questions about it, please let me know! You can also come to the @valkhofmuseum where a number of works can be seen in large format > check here valkhofmuseum.nl/nl/bezoek/agenda/de-wandeling

'Oostzaan'

Erik van Cuyk © | NL | 2023
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm)

Do you also notice the familiar, recurring patterns that nature reveals? A lightning bolt, a river delta, the nervous system or other vascular structures in our bodies, the veins in a leaf—they all share the same pattern, whether on a massive scale or incredibly tiny. It’s universal. Fractals. I find it absolutely fascinating!

'Gouveia'

This photo is part of the ongoing series ‘Interdependent’.

On the streets – often where the city meets nature – I seek images that evoke a sense of connection. When that feeling overwhelms me, I capture it.

Reading about the 18th-century philosopher Edmund Burke’s concept of the sublime, I saw parallels with my work, not in Romantic nature, but in everyday, urban spaces.

In a society dominated by media and technology, we grow distant from nature and each other. This evokes a sense of nostalgia for me, as we seem to drift further from both nature and our own humanity.

Through this photography, I invite reflection on our place in the world and our connection to nature and each other.

'Mesa Verde'

Erik van Cuyk © | USA | 2024
FA Baryt, 40 x 30 inch (76.2 x 101.6 cm) or 20 x 26,67 inch (50,80 x 67,69 cm) or 10,5 x 7,9 inch (26,7 x 20 cm)

Interdependent (biophilia hypothesis)

The Biophilia hypothesis as proposed by American biologist Edward O. Wilson, suggests that humans have a natural tendency to connect deeply with nature.This connection stems from our evolutionary past and our psychological longing for nature, driving us to seek closeness with natural landscapes and living beings.

In the 18th century, philosopher Edmund Burke explored the concept of the "Sublime". It refers to the awe-inspiring power and beauty of nature, which can evoke both admiration and fear in us. The Sublime encompasses experiences of grandeur and beauty that surpass our understanding.

We recognize that nature profoundly influences our emotions and thoughts. When we encounter majestic mountains or mighty oceans, we feel a sense of wonder and humility, strengthening our bond with the natural world.

Yet, in our contemporary era, this relationship is undergoing a subtle metamorphosis, shaped by the reverberations of climate change—a phenomenon to which humanity itself contributes. The degradation of natural habitats, the diminishment of biodiversity, and the escalation of extreme weather patterns serve as poignant reminders of our intricate entanglement with the earth.

This shift underscores the imperative of introspection and contemplation. It beckons us to reflect upon our place within the intricate web of life and to acknowledge our role as custodians of the planet. Through such contemplation, we may discover profound insights into the interconnectedness of all existence and cultivate a deeper reverence for the sanctity of nature.