Modern yet old-fashioned. A hand pump on a sturdy wooden block. On the stool next to it an old zinc bucket. A piece of the doorframe can be seen on the right. So the water pump is close to the door. Handy! At Villars Montroyer (near 52160 Villars-Santenoge, France), there is a square block in the valley. It stands out enormously among all the greenery, as it is painted red. It is a primitive cottage: there is no electricity, no internet and no running water from the tap. Hence the hand pump. You can rent the cottage and thus experience what it is like to live without all kinds of facilities. The cottage is surrounded by meadows through which a river flows. Out of it all, I chose this hushed image. The hand pump represents a primitive yet effective way to meet the first necessities of life. When everything else fails, this one is still upright and ready to render its services to the thirsty.
Since about 1974, I have been involved almost daily in photography, drawing (charcoal, graphite, conté, chalk, ink), painting, watercolour and/or collage making. In all these branches of visual work, I have tried a lot, found my own way, but.. Read more…