Light. The driving force behind plant growth and this visual journey under the glowing sky
Almost a century of Horticultural history has helped make the Dutch true experts in greenhouse manufacturing. This wealth of experience has enabled The Netherlands to become the global market leader in the construction of greenhouses for both cultivating flowers, plants and growing vegetables. With an increasing global demand for sustainable growing methods, the Dutch greenhouse industry sets an example for many regions around the world. It is their mission to export the Dutch technology and knowledge to places where it is needed the most.
ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY /////
This project has started off from exploring the visual world that includes architectural, industrial and landscape photography. I wanted to explore from various angles the impact of the industry on the nature, environment and society.
The endless humongous yet minimalist greenhouses provide a unique beauty in the landscape that is usually frequently inhabited by humans; they are tech-cultural miracles that shine extraordinary visual experiences.
The endless humongous yet minimalist greenhouses provide a unique beauty in the landscape that is usually frequently inhabited by humans; they are tech-cultural miracles that shine extraordinary visual experiences.
HUNTING FOR THE DUTCH SOUTHERN LIGHT /////
This visual phenomena is still unknown even for many of the local Dutch people outside the Westland areas. These buildings are most recognised from the distance, from a fast moving car or train, but this spectacular and surrealistic living and industry is still a mystery for most of the world.
THE CONCEPT IS TO CHANGE THE PRECONCEPTIONS /////
Amongst the success and the scale of the greenhouse industry, the UN, governmental and industrial reports and studies mainly talk about the bad image of the sector. This bad perception is forcing more communication with the locals and the crowds around the world about the amazing benefits of this sector, the importance of these safe food technologies, including the improvements and fights to reduce the light pollution with shaders and modern lighting technologies. Showing the importance and the beauty behind and in front of the walls.
PHASES
Phase 1 ///// Landscape, exterior
In the first part of the project I’ve been shooting the extraordinary and perfectly shaped industrial landscapes, living and working areas, factory plants, all from the distance. The eerie yellow and orange lights paint a surrealistic scenery, where the greenhouses and factory buildings are the strongest part of this visual phenomena.
Phase 2 ///// Industrial indoors, details, machines & structures
The super large scaled and well designed growing and stocking facilities, the sector specialized constructions, machines and their details are more than important parts of this aesthetic journey.
Phase 3 ///// Technology parts
The agriculture sector has many innovations and special technologies, which makes the Dutch companies the world leaders of their business. This section is capturing these future forming objects and innovations in their best silhouettes, showing the positive and most interesting faces of the greenhouse culture. The farming methodology of the future is here.
Phase 4 ///// Private-local home interiors, lookouts and panoramas
It’s definitely an interesting aspects of the project, to understand how the local citizens are dealing with the bright night and glowing skies. Shooting out the windows from the living spaces gives us a very special view of the locals’ experiences.
Phase 5 ///// Aerial
It’s not a question, it’s a must to capture the whole land from the sky to show the power and the size of the industry. Distance landscape shots and abstract details of the greenhouses, factory areas and the bringing to life the whole system from above.
INSPIRATIONS
In 2013 I visited a presentation at the Hungarian Applied Art University (Mome) held by the architectural photographer masters duo Hiepler and Brunier about their mega project alongside a portrait photographer Marco Grob: Industrious. The quality, the minimalism and the complexity behind that project really amazed and transformed me; how to take a look at a chemistry company and see the beauty of the industrial architecture of it. And then I kept seeing all the Holcim truck drivers and facilities from the highway as participants and places of a super project.
Since I have moved to The Hague in 2017 and have been moving around Radstadt by car I couldn’t not notice the lights that were amazing yet surreal in providing these man made night lights in the landscape, lighting up and bringing to life the clouds above them. When I went closer it made me feel like I was on a science fiction movie shoot and at any moment a spaceship could land next to me. The greenhouses could be the space stations that shine with an orange glow into the distance; and actually this metaphor isn’t that far from reality as they could be the key players and solutions to the world’s and other planet’s food problems.