wolf?
After a 150-year absence, the wolf is now returning to the Netherlands. The looming presence of this animal changes the perception of Dutch nature. A forest where you might encounter a wolf feels like a very different forest altogether. I photographed several forests in the Netherlands. Furthermore, I used images from camera-traps from Stichting Wolven in Nederland, an organization formed to prepare the country for the wolf. They’ve placed camera-traps in Dutch forests that capture anything that moves. The resulting images are frequently searched for wolves. And if you do run into the wolf, what should you do? I gathered advice from varying sources. Lay as close to the ground as possible. Look for traces but take care not to step on the trace itself. The advices contradict each other and convey how some people are terrified to face the wolf while others would love to encounter the animal.
Lay as close to the ground as possible.
Look for traces but take care not to step on the trace itself.
Stare it down.
Don't turn your back on it.
Make yourself large and scream aggressively.
Curl up into a ball.
Offer it your neck.
Curl up into the fetal position.
Imitate a wolf howl.
Walk backwards slowly.
Sources: Word-of-mouth advice in Transsylvania, De Volkskrant, Stichting Wolven in Nederland, Facebook Page Wolven in Nederland, Welkom Wolf België: Tips voor wolvenspotters, WikiHow: How to survive a wolf attack, WikiHow : How to survive animal attacks, What should you do if you are attacked by a pack of wolves? Oliver Starr’s answer on Quora.com, Just Travelous Blog: How I survived a wolf attack in Mongolia, Slate Magazine: How To Fight off a Pack of Hungry Wolves
Forest
4 photoprints on blockout film
140 x 93 cm each
Poses
Installation of 32 riso prints & text
Riso prints 28 x 22 cm each
Total 900 x 28 x 93 cm
Traps: I
Installation of 600 laserprints on wall and floor
Dimensies variable, here 440 x 188 x 153 cm
Traps: II
Video-projection on wall
Dimensions varible, here 115 x 93 cm
Duration 5:48 minutes (Loop.)
all of these works were made in 2015
The Wolf? project came into existence in the context of a Vrij Nederland Fotoverhaal. Furthermore, I have worked on this project during a residency in the Pompgemaal Den Helder, courtesy of the Mondriaan Fund. Stichting Wolven in Nederland has provided material from camera-traps. I would like to thank all of the above for supporting the project.