Unseen is a feast for the eyes; more than 60 exhibitors from around the world gather in one place over a long weekend to showcase what’s new, in the world of international photography. The spectacular gasometer is the host of the large-scale exhibition area. The visitor can stroll around the location in a pattern of their choice, starting from the center, exploring the rays of the circle, or otherwise. The wonders are numerous. The styles, formats, prices, patterns varied, intriguing, and never make you indifferent. As always, one cannot like everything. The art shown goes from most hideous to sublime, from ridiculous to jaw dropping, all in the eye of the beholder. The public goes along the same lines: sophisticated, provoking, dull, exciting, uninterested, or blasé. The gallery staff can be friendly or be perceived as intimidating. for those friendly ones, a small chat always gives an insight on what the artists on display have tried to achieve: a moment of learning to enhance comprehension or awe. Several hours are necessary to render justice to the place and to honor the pieces on display. Several coups de coeur result from this in-depth exploration. I spent the most time discussing the work of Joost Vandebrug and his imaginary landscapes created one small rectangle of color at a time, in the manner of pixels: the result, seen from a distance, is stunning. Zooming in brings you to a new plane of reality, not less amazing. I was intrigued by the aerial landscapes of Kadir van Lohuizen: his “Food for Thought” series explores the Dutch Food chain, mixing social engagement and visually pleasing images. Those cows in Texas looked like ants in a wasteland. I stumbled upon the works of Johnny Miller, Natascha Libbert, Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze, the empty spaces, abandoned by mankind, of Steven Seidenberg, Robert Conrad, Thomas Kemnitz and Nicola Brandt or the over-crowded landscape of Hans Wilschut. It seems unfair not to mention all the wonders experienced, but it is only human. A second visit would have allowed more amazement and sense of wonder. One thing is certain: the next Unseen will be worth the visit.
