Sea-Land HB1 2007

Jan Dibbets created "Sea-Land HB1" using photography, a medium intimately tied to the industrialization of image-making. Here, Dibbets explores how photography mediates our perception of the natural world. The work's fragmented composition, achieved through cutting and reassembling photographic prints, disrupts the traditional landscape format. This almost sculptural approach encourages us to consider photography not just as representation, but also as a material process. The act of cutting, splicing and framing introduces a level of human intervention rarely visible in photography. It reminds us that even seemingly objective images are the result of choices and manipulations. Ultimately, Dibbets challenges the idea of the photograph as a transparent window onto reality, highlighting the constructed nature of our visual experience. It emphasizes the importance of considering the artist's hand, the material, and the context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.