"When I’m navigating at sea my senses opens completely to my surroundings. I questioning my observations again and again. I’m aware of all the ever-shifting and changing natural forces and
-systems what can have an effect on navigating at sea. Perhaps that's why the sea attracts me so much, because that's where the complex and constantly changing reality presents itself to me.”
Laura Schippers (Born in NL, 1985) visual artist, owner of ship Atlas and initiator of Atlas initiatief
THE ARTISTIC PRACTISE OF LAURA
Humans have the characteristic of simplifying reality. Like we do in language, for example. Defined definitions such as 'I' or 'tree' are necessary to communicate with each other. Thereby we take for granted that the word doesn’t quite coincides with reality. A centuries-old accumulation of all kinds of abstractions influences our thinking, way of communicating and perception. It becomes our reality.
In my work I explore the complex and constantly changing reality. I tend to seek for the ‘real’ and to re-open abstractions and our view on the world. My work is based on my experiences of moving through landscapes and perspective changes. With the Atas initiatief I try to create conditions for life in which the gaze cannot fixate and where possibilities continue to unfold.
LAURA AND THE ATLAS INITIATIEF
A several years ago I imagined my ideal studio, it had to be a mobile- and a shared one. Now, 7 years after buying the Atlas and a lot of work done, Stijn and I are almost ready to sail away with our kite-sailing ship Atlas. What will be the start of our nomadic life at sea. From then on, my intention is to develop my research to 'reality' further into practice, by using the Atlas to facilitate projects of artists and contribute to different local needs and projects at sea and in coastal areas.
A residency at sea will be intensive, because you work and live closely together. Whereby, I think you will become automatically involved in each other's 'worlds'. The exchange of these 'worlds', ideas, perspectives, and the experience of a sea voyage contributes to the development of each other's practices.
A selection of my work:
'Indefinite drawing #7', group exhibition 'Neighbour North Sea' with Sheng-Wen Lo, Astrid Nobel & Tanja Engelberts in Quartair Den Haag, 2022
This drawing is inspired by observations and experiences at sea of: Jaco Benckhuijsen, Pia van den Beuken, Tom en Tilly Schippers, Tjeerd de Groot, Peter Joor, Stellendamse vissers, Bert Prinsen & Stijn de Geus.
Installation: 'Potential material for a change of mentality’, group exhibition 'Neighbour North Sea' in Quartair Den Haag, 2022
textual/visual contribution to the publication of the exhibition 'Is Pas d’Espace' with Maud van den Beuken, Loek Grootjans & Margot Zweers in PARK Tilburg, 2021
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'without comment', 2012
'Indefinite drawing #6', group exhibition 'Fresh Cacao' in Cacaofabriek Helmond, 2015
'Indefinite drawing #1 and #2', working period ‘Series’ by Marcel van Eeden, at St. Moritz Art Academy, 2014
'De onbestemde reis, 2015' follow-up project/journey by Laura Schippers with Sjuul Joosen and Eef Schoolmeesters, from Traffic and Red Star Line Museum Antwerp, 2015
'The indefinable journey' participant of a project/journey by Koen Deprez, from Lokaal 01 Breda, 2012.
video-installation 'Galata', group exhibition 'Palais Ideal' in De Fabriek Eindhoven, 2015
videofragment 'Galata'
4 fixed binoculars 'Kijken naar een veranderend lanschap', group exhibition 'Landkunst aan de Zuiderwaterlinie', BKKC, Staatsbosbeheer & Erfgoed Brabant in 's Hertogenbosch, 2017
Digital collage / print 'Hond op kruispunt', 2014
pen drawing, 2014
photo 'Brussel', 2012
Digital collage / print / business gift, commissioned by Gemeente Breda 'Het uitzicht van Breda', 2014
