Biophilia
“Why do plastic flamingos spark joy?” This is one of the questions posed alongside the photos in the exhibition Biophilia at BredaPhoto. Through this work, I explore the innate, somewhat twisted relationship that human beings have formed with nature.
Although humans have always attempted to incorporate natural aspects into their immediate surroundings, this general urge seems to have become more of a trend in recent years. This is evident in the abundance of artificial nature in modern homes, offices, and shopping centers. Think of plant and animal prints on restaurant walls, in metro stations, and in dentist waiting rooms. But are we not becoming increasingly alienated from nature when we can satisfy our primal needs with a photo print of a waterfall or a lamp shaped like a cactus?
What does our current relationship with nature tell us about ourselves as ‘modern’ human beings? Are we deepening our bond with nature through all these artificial substitutes, or are we creating replacements that further distance us from the real nature’s essence? Biophilia provokes these questions and encourages viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world.
