Hello, i [Boris Vermeersch] work with photography and the visual language.
Based in Brussels, i combine commissioned and personal work.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

We live in a slice of time where editing tools, 3D imagery, augmented and virtual reality and other tools are thoroughly shaking our perceptions and ideas of what we perceive as reality, and what not.

On the one hand there are factual elements, registered by the camera. On the other hand there is the photographic (or any other visual) medium that will inevitably translate and transform facts towards an interpreted image. Even after the initial image has been registered by the camera, there are more than a million ways to manipulate it even further and steer the possible meanings.

A critical attitude towards images, the process of image making, the presentation and the consumption of images is therefore a necessity in contemporary times. Either in personal lives, or in the professional use of images that underpin our society and collective image. This critical attitude is a necessity, not only for the maker and people (s)he/it/ze/they/them works with, but also for the viewer(s).

The documentary artist works mostly with living people, existing places and real situations.
A documentary work is always a collaboration between all people involved.

When working with people for a certain image or series, the negotiation around the aim of the work, the possible effect of the images, their representation and the way they feel about it are of high importance to me.
I try to be as open and honest in my communication and objectives, for as far as i am aware of them at that given moment myself. At the same time i hope all people affected will communicate their personal sensitivities, ideas and standing points towards me. This way, through mutual collaboration, a constructive documentary work can be made.

At the same time, i find it important that a work becomes self-reflexive in a certain way. It helps the process of creating the work, but also gives space to involvement, critique or visual reflection from different angles. Be it by means of image-making, the use of colour processes, adding reflexive text or additional images, voices or perspectives by the participating people or people who are affected with, or by, a certain topic or place.

EDUCATION

2021
Educational master in Audiovisual & Visual Arts, School of Arts KASK & Conservatory Ghent, Belgium
Master in Visual Arts, Photography Department, School of Arts KASK & Conservatory Ghent, Belgium
2015
Bachelor in Journalism, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences Ghent, Belgium

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© Boris Vermeersch