Dirty Desks (2024 - )
Thomas Kuijpers' project Dirty Desks emerges from his fascination with our digital origins, marking the point where our physical presence began yielding to the demands of emerging digital realms that monopolize our attention. The genesis of this project was sparked by an image—one of the earliest known 'memes', predating the term itself, initially known simply as a 'funny image'. While sifting through his archival hard drives, Thomas rediscovered this enduring image, which had accompanied him for over a decade, circulating tirelessly from computer to computer, phone to phone, and chat to chat.
Impressed by its enduring resonance, Thomas resolved to manifest a physical incarnation of this digital artifact. Procuring the necessary materials spanned nearly a year: vintage beer cans from Malaysia, bottles from the USA, and meticulously redesigned cigarette packs, yogurt cups, energy drink bottles, McDonald's cups, and other items featured in the original image. The simulated ashes, composed of ground sesame seeds and cocoa flakes, inadvertently caused a rodent infestation in the studio — a humorous yet problematic subplot in the project's development.
Photographed with an 8 x 10 inch camera, the initial set was reproduced as an analogue print measuring 126 x 160cm. Thomas adamantly decided against digitizing the negative, underscoring his commitment to the physicality of the artwork. Consequently, he refrained from including a perfect scan of the image in his submissions, opting instead to provide a snapshot of the freshly developed print and a video preview.
These visuals serve as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creation of this singular image and a preview of what is to come in the broader Dirty Desks series. Thomas has amassed a collection of similar memes from the same era, intending to recreate them with the same meticulous attention to detail, transforming ephemeral digital pixels into tangible, enduring experiences. Each set's components will be carefully boxed and preserved to facilitate reconstruction for future prints, ensuring that each new negative remains paired with its respective print. Optionally, these material boxes may accompany the framed prints in exhibitions, offering viewers a deeper engagement with the creative process behind Dirty Desks.
For more information on available works and prices, please contact the gallery via email at info@theravestijngallery.com
