The German word "Samenbank" is a wordplay based on the fact that the German word "Samen" means both "sperm" and "seed". Therefore a "Samenbank" is both a spermbank and also a "seedbank", i.e. a place where seeds are stored. While the English word "spermbank" leaves no question about its exact meaning, the word "Samenbank" plays with the idea that "Samen" could be animal, human or vegetable in origin.
Above all, my project is about fruits, specifically about infructescences whose dried skins often take on bizarre shapes reminding us of animals or faces, of body parts or sculptures - shapes that invite associations.
They inspire us to take a closer look, to compare, they trigger our imaginations. The way in which we look upon the world tells a lot about ourselves. “We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are", the Talmud says.
What we see is always our own interpretation of the world, our unique views of life. The meaning of the objects derives from the frames which we place around them.
With this in mind, it's exciting to compare my interpretations - the images in my head - with those of people who see these pictures. I invite everyone to share their interpretations of my work; your thoughts, your associations enrich this project.
“Samenbank No: 325”
“Samenbank No: 472”
“Samenbank No: 133”
“Samenbank No: 546”
“Samenbank No: 304”
