TyVert garden spheres

‘He who plants a garden, plants happiness’ is an ancient Chinese wisdom. Our move from the hectic Dutch metropolis to the Breton countryside in France is accompanied by a green reset of the senses. Gardening in partnership with nature and the seasons is a vital life-source beneficial for body and soul. A green way of life rooted in the terroir, the natural cycles and the beauty of the imperfect. The garden reflects our eco-ideals and passion to ‘sensitively and slow’ create an earthly paradise. Enriched nature and wild life haven for its beauty and usefulness. The garden and we as gardeners breathe together and flourish in close communion over the years. The shifting play of light and shadow and the changing colour palette throughout the day and season offers ephemeral moments of visual magic. ‘TyVert garden spheres’ offers a pictorial account of the current year. In the accompanying 'TyVert blog', we describe our hands-on experiences. Both will be updated annually.

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Floral

While studying ecology, I started photographing plants to learn how to identify native species and the conditions of their living environment. This has given me a greater eye for the sense of place and plants. 'Floral' zooms in on the unique form, structure and delicacy of single flowers in different stages of bloom, fresh and dried, from the TyVert ecological vegetable and ornamental garden; our green homebase.

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Coastal reflections

'Coastal reflections' is an photographic beachcombing project at the Breton coast in France. A codification of the sense of otherness; the flux and spheres of the coastline teemed with life. The photos show intimate landscapes in combination with all kinds of 'object trouvé'; found objects of natural origin and trash of mankind washed ashore by the flood. The series of diptychs has been compiled in the self-published publication ‘Kind of Blue’. The paper edition of the book can be ordered from my bookshop. A digital revised French-language edition is in the making.

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House of Worship

On the French peninsula of Brittany the influence of paganism and Catholicism is unmistakable. The sea, always close, embodies the Breton spirit. The rolling countryside is marked with memorials and spiers of chapels, churches, cathedrals and basilicas. The religious buildings are very different in size and atmosphere. From noble simplicity to an abundance of splendor. The sacred paintings, statues of saints and relics, surrounded by mysteries and miracles, mediate between earth and heaven. The vow gifts, and flower arrangements are expressions of gratitude for the sources of existence and a blessed life. The series 'House of Worship' provides an insight into the sacred spaces signed with punctuation marks from different times; light and dark, tender and brute.

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Quarry

'Quarry' is about an stone quarry in the heart of Cotes-d'Armor that is still being exploited. Quarrying is a symbol for our excessive exploitation of mother earth. The landscape is blown up and shattered with huge machines. However, both the huge installations and the created ‘wounds’ are undeniably fascinating to see. During the extractive operations quarrying can cause significant negative impacts on geo- and biodiversity. Abandoned quarries on the other hand can enhance biodiversity afterwards by acting as refuges for plants and animals.

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Jeannette

October 2020, we stood in front of our new Breton house. 'Jeannette', the neighbour across the street, came right over to us. It clicked right away. We share the same passions. Family and friends are everything to Jeannette. As she so beautifully put it herself, "Sharing and passing on life is the most beautiful thing there is, it is the core of my existence." Unfortunately for Jeannette too the years count. Her house, which she shared with her beloved husband and where their son grew up, has become too big and laborious. She is moving to a completely renovated character village house, all ground floor and fully equipped. Not far from us, but we will certainly miss the daily contact and her infectious smile. As a tribute to Jeannette, we have created an small booklet. The paper edition is sold out. The digital French and Dutch versions (PDF) of the cahier Jeannette are available in my bookshop.

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Collectionneur

Wandering around our brook valley I passed a striking building with a large shop window full of curiosities, and opposite a workshop. Both buildings appear to belong to Damien. He lives in a centuries-old family house full of relics, supplemented with special vintage items he collected over the years. The collection is eclectic and a bit eccentric. The recorded family story and photo essay are bundled in: 'Damien collectionneur'. The paper edition of the cahier is sold out, the digital French / English version (PDF) is available in my bookshop.