Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam Revisits 'Establishing Eden' by Persijn Broersen & Margit Lukács
Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam delves into its archives to spotlight "Establishing Eden," a compelling video work by artist duo Persijn Broersen & Margit Lukács. This significant piece, originally featured in Foam Magazine and discussed in an article by Mirjam Kooiman, invites viewers to question their perception of landscapes and the cultural constructs embedded within them. Through a series of two-dimensional illusions, the artists challenge how we "look" at nature, reflecting on its idealized presentation across history and media.
Understanding the Art of Landscape Perception
At its core, "Establishing Eden" explores the act of observing a landscape and the limitations of human perception. Broersen & Lukács utilize video to unsettlingly reveal how landscapes are culturally constructed. The work draws parallels between 19th-century Romantic paintings, such as Caspar David Friedrich's iconic "Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer," and contemporary digital experiences. Friedrich's solitary figure gazing over a misty vista, emblematic of idealized nature, is juxtaposed with the third-person perspective common in modern video games, where players view their avatars from behind. This comparison highlights a historical continuity in how we detach ourselves to observe, whether it's a painted scene or a virtual world, prompting a reflection on technological evolution and its impact on visual culture.
From Romanticism to Digital Realms
The artists further connect this historical lens to blockbuster films like "Avatar" and "Lord of the Rings," which famously use "establishing shots" to introduce grand, unspoiled landscapes. These cinematic visions often appropriate the natural beauty of places like New Zealand to create what appear as pristine "Gardens of Eden." Persijn Broersen & Margit Lukács journeyed through these same New Zealand wildernesses, documenting scenes that serve as sublime backdrops. They then layered these photographs into a fragmented "architecture" to construct "Establishing Eden," their intricate video work.
Deconstructing the Illusion
Within "Establishing Eden," stunning landscape sequences continuously unfold. However, the camera's movement repeatedly exposes these majestic establishing shots as mere two-dimensional illusions. Perspectives constantly shift, transforming seemingly vast vistas into tumbling set pieces within a virtual space. The work positions the viewer much like Caspar David Friedrich's wanderer, simultaneously building and dismantling the myth of the landscape before their eyes. What appears to be boundless nature is ultimately revealed as confined frames, illustrating the limits of our gaze. This moving image piece functions less as a documentary and more as a simulation, deeply engaging with our cultural-historical ideas about nature rather than our purely physical interaction with it.
About the Artists
Persijn Broersen & Margit Lukács, an Amsterdam-based duo, are known for their films, digital animations, and spatial installations that investigate the complex interplay between nature, culture, and technology. Graduates of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and the Sandberg Institute, they have explored media theory, art history, and mythology throughout their practice, often addressing the politics of representation. Their work has been exhibited globally at institutions including the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Centre Pompidou, and FOAM itself. In 2024, they represented the Netherlands at the Gwangju Biennale, and their film I Wan’na Be Like You was nominated for the Tiger Award/IFFR 2025.
Exploring works like "Establishing Eden" from the archives offers a unique perspective on art's ongoing dialogue with perception and representation. Musemap (musemap.art) helps you uncover significant cultural insights, from historical pieces to contemporary exhibitions. You can always browse museums in Amsterdam and beyond to discover more captivating photography and art, or explore the city's cultural map for other unique experiences.
