Psychonavigation

When I was a boy growing up in the eighties I often went exploring in the woods on the edge of my home town in the Netherlands. In those days it was normal for relatively young children to go out and explore, unsupervised by adults. I was simply told “Be back before dinner!” It’s something we lost I think; the freedom to discover the world on our own terms.

The woods featured a typical Dutch phenomenon called “Hunebedden.” “Beds of the Huns” would be the translation I guess. They are Stonehenge-like formations of large boulders, organised according to some ancient pagan principles. Being a bookish sort of fellow I often ended up lying on top of them, reading sci-fi books in the sun.

It was an incredibly evocative place, perfect for reading and imagining outlandish and exciting scenarios. It was completely suited to my personality and I loved going there regularly. Even then I knew those were important happy moments, and they have become a part of my psyche ever since.

Recently I noticed that those boulders have crept into my photography. Somehow, I am attracted to similar shapes, and I think I’m subconsciously trying to incorporate those childhood memories into current work. I have come to believe that much of photography is to do with exploring one’s own psyche, and expressing it through the photos and series that we create. I like to use the word “psychonavigation” to describe this process, after a rather brilliant ambient album by Bill Laswell and Pete Namlook. (I’m sure they don’t mind me using that word.)

It’s a lifelong process. Nobody can perfectly understand their own mind after all, (at least I can’t), but I feel that if I keep trying to psychonavigate I will be a better photographer.