New series: "The lost art of having a deep conversation... "

Exciting…

It is always scary to show new work. Especially when it is different than usual. Scary but in a good way and exciting. That’s the case with this series as well…

“The lost of of having a deep conversation…” started in Morocco. I was having a well deserved holiday which in it’s original incarnation would only consist out of eating a copious amount of delicious food as well as waking up with a view over the old city of Marrakesh, in the company of a good cup of coffee.

Well I go that. And more… I like taking photographs and wiring so much that I do it in my free time as well. Same goes for print making. And during one of the morning I just started shoot… Simple things. Incredible inspiring though. Things don’t always have to be over complicated. Sometimes things are just what they are. And this situation, just incredibly beautiful, is what came to mind. And it is hard not to see why Morocco has not inspired many many many artist.

I didn’t even bring fresh film. Just old expired film that at one point in time was gifted to me and was kept safe in the fridge. Also not even the same types and brands, and took only a couple of rolls. It is what it is and these are the things I have to work with.

It just flowed. And I like it when things just flow. :)

Morocco has a big photographic history, and I can advice anyone who visits the country to dive into this. There is a reason why you see gorgeous photographs in plenty of places around the country. Just be aware and look around you with a open mind. They are everywhere.

I do also recommend going to the House of Photography located in Marrakesh. Besides the gorgeous, and I do mean gorgeous photographs you will see there, you will learn a thing or two about Morocco and their history and photography. Current and classical.

I was looking for a way to print them differently so I experimented with a multitude of alternative processes before I eventually came back to, you can guess it, Gelatin Silver again… I just really love that process that much. Nothing wrong with all the others. But this is just me. I do see the advantages of the others though through the capabilities of artistic freedom they have. If you study the Japanese masters and how they embrace their paper and Platinum Palladium process that is awes inspiring. So I started working with liquid Gelatin Silver as a middle ground. The rich tonalities of silver, yet the freedom of alt.

Somehow I stumbled upon Sandararc varnish which is actually made from a tree from Morocco to finish it. It gives the prints a bit more of a depth and increases the dynamic range a bit. The blacks pop way more, and has a certain 3 dimensional feel to it which does not come across on a computer screen. But to be fair, I am a firm believer in experiencing things for real anyway.

The entire series took about 3 months. From the developing of the film part to the last print.

This, in a way is just a technical explanations though. Which does not matter at all…

I would like to see that everyone who takes their valuable time who has a look at it. Hopefully during an exhibition one day, or on their computer. To experience it the same way as I do. So please don’t look at it on your phone.

It is a poem. Nothing more, nothing less…

The words go along with the photographs and are intertwined. You cannot have one without the other. What it is about, it on the viewer and reader to decide that. And in a way it can be anything if you approach it like that.

That is the beauty of art, no?

It is nothing more than just the result of a hopeless romantic which shares a connection with his cup of coffee, the morning sun, and a cat.

~ Cristian

You can find the new series on the project page or just use the navigation bar.

"Heavier than heaven..."

“Heavier than heaven…“

Happy Valentine's Day.

The Hand Magazine issue 43

Happy to see my work in The Hand Magazine Issue 43. Not only that, but I have the cover as well! The back cover nonetheless. But a cover is a cover. I’ll take it, and I am proud of it. And it definitely makes me happy.

The Hand Magazine is a magazine the focuses on print based art. Very interesting to see all of the processes of all the artists as well.

After the news broke I have gotten so many sweet messages that the Swan is their favourite photograph. And that definitely made my day.

Thanks for The Hand Magazine for having me. And thanks everyone for the messages.

~Cristian

Grid of moons

9 grid matrix of different perspectives on “I will paint the moon for you…” in Gelatin Silver toned with selenium on baryta paper. Individual sizes of 17.5 x 11 CM total size of 52.5 x 33 CM

Salt prints on unconventional paper and other news

The weather in the Netherlands was shitty. It was dark, grey, boring and without any life. Got hit by the flu for the first time since yeaaaarrrs. And while I was hiding under my blankets I had the idea to print on unconventional paper. Just to mix things up. So as soon as I got better I was looking for the best way to do it. Gelatin Silver I want to use for my “regular” prints. So I ended up with choosing between Cyanotype, Salt process, or Platinum / Palladium. Eventually I opted for the Salt process. This since I could tone this with gold to make it more archival. Cyanotype are cool but not for now. And Platinum / Palladium is more for like the really really really special prints.

For the ones who don’t know Salt Printing is. Salt Printing is when you combine salt with Silver Nitrate and that creates a light sensitive surface. It was invented by Henry Fox Talbot and was the main process before Gelatin Silver. So it is super cool and super old. About 200 years…

The paper I used was stationary from Italy and an empty page of a super old book I got from the thrift store.

Another empty page I had left I put in my old DDR era typewriter and got a small excerpt from one of my poems.

In other news: I am also a contributor to the latest edition of The Hand Magazine. It is a magazine that focusses specifically on print makers from all different kinds of disciplines. So that is really cool. I always love to see other works of art besides photography. Check out the latest edition at their website.

Also when I was in Morocco last October I couldn’t help myself to shoot some work instead of just stuffing my face with food. So I created a small series which has a working title for now “Secret Conversations” and consists of twelve photographs and will be printed in a super special way. But like everything I do, it takes time. I do everything by hand so bear with me. More on that later.

Salt on stationary toned with gold.

Salt on purposed old book page toned with gold.

Excerpt from one if my poem on my DDR era typewriter.

Yet untitled addition to "I started writing you this letter in autumn..."

Small update on the matter of things and a print.

I’m really starting to love this paper… Gelatin silver print on Ilford art 300. Selenium and some other magic toning. Seeing this paper does not do justice on how it looks in real life. It is gorgeous.

Also for the ones interested. Still working on multiple projects at the moment. But things just take time. Especially when you do everything by hand. So bear with me and be patient. In a lot of ways it’s also figuring out how I want to approach certain prints. Some work bigger, some work little. Things will conclude when they conclude.

Also I shot some work when I was in Morocco. I want to make a small series out of that and want to print them really really special. So daydreaming about that and how to approach that one as well. If they are done of course I will let the world know. :)

If there are any gallerists reading this. I am open to working with a new one from 2024.

Self Portrait

Self Portrait on Ilford Art 300 Gelatin Silver paper.

and if something ever flows...

“and if something ever flows
like tears
forgive me dear
I cannot help myself
that I want to give you

gentle
subtle kisses
wherever it hurts...”

OD Photo Prize long list

Hey,

Happy to say I was one of the artists that was long-listed for the OD Photo Prize.

Check the entire thing here

Small print(s)...

Sometimes I like to make my silver gelatin prints big. And sometimes I want like to make them as little love notes that you can hide in someone’s pocket and look like they are made from the page of an old book. It is what it is…

A lumen print and a poem...

As I lie in my bed, my heart and mind are fighting an endless battle with my soul. I find solace in listening to a song that I suddenly started humming in the shower.

It’s hard not to get lost in a maze of words friends say, but are of those only lovers speak. Until you see a shooting star and all I could wish for was you.

Your laughter and pain is tugging at me. My end of the thread feels full of tension. And when you cry, I cry. It’s a comforting thought that your cookies are safe, and I hid the ones that belong to all the meanies.

In this moment of sleep I will transcend distance and time and we will tell mesmerising stories from when we were young. Or hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Whichever comes first… Dreams that act like a road full of autumn leaves that only we can walk.

The morning starts with a cup of coffee that will be drank in the company of birds. A pigeon says hello while my last sip reminds me of the footprints you left in my soul. I will pick you some flowers when I see you again. I hope you think they are beautiful.

Artdoc Magazine - Project Feature "I started writing you this letter in autumn..."

Hey all!

One of my projects is featured on the website of Artdoc magazine.

Go check it out!

You can find it here. :)

15th Anniversary Screening during Les Rencontres d’Arles Nuit de L’Année

Happy to say that somehow my work ended up at Arles.

Specifically the Der Greif 15th anniversary screening.

If you were there and somehow spotted my work, feel free to share it with me. :)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cristian Geelen (@cristiangeelen)

Istanbul - Me, my camera, and sometimes a pen...

only me
my camera
and sometimes a pen

time flies by too fast
and I am too slow...

will I ever have enough time?
I do my best...

it doesn't matter what I say
or do
I have no control

tijd om lost te laten
or hold on
it feels like sand

I called home
niemand thuis

sometimes it seems
that the people in the street
can read my mind

they look
they stare
they are like sculptures of what my heart feels

I sometimes say I never believed
but somehow
yet
from the beginning
I always did

I'm tired
Someone else falls asleep
another phone
should I pick up?

I see a tree
the sky turns bright
daglicht

a flock of birds
I wish they were
something else
time to go home...

Art Doc Magazine Exhibit - Eniga of Life

Happy to annournce some of my work can be seen in the Art Doc Magazine exhibit “Enigma of Life”.

You can head to this link to see what it is all about.

~Cristian

Istanbul. May, 2023.

Self portrait 05-05-2023

Handcoating silver gelatin.

Coating my own silver gelatin paper has always been a goal of mine. It’s a rare and challenging technique that offers greater creative freedom and allows me to select the paper and shape that align with my artistic vision, while still preserving the rich tonal range of silver that I adore. Although not commonly seen in the silver process, I wanted to take on the challenge.

After some experimentation, I finally achieved my goal. Using the Adox Poly warmtone emulsion and applying it on Vinczemillhandmade cold pressed 400 gram paper, I produced a unique and original work of art, a one-of-a-kind edition that I’m particularly proud of.

The final outcome is truly stunning, and I believe it showcases the beauty and allure of this intricate process.