Collected in Time: I 1979

This series of four prints, by Herman de Vries, captures the quiet drama of a plant unfurling over time. I imagine him carefully pressing each stage, coaxing out these delicate forms, the fern’s journey from a shy sprout to a full, almost triumphant frond. There’s a vulnerability here, right? It’s hard not to feel protective, watching this tiny thing reach for light. I can almost feel de Vries’s breath held as he positions each piece, the subtle pressure he applies to preserve its fleeting beauty. He's almost like a parent, watching their kid grow up, isn't he? It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s grids, that same quiet dedication to a repetitive act. But where Martin is all about the grid, de Vries focuses on the organic. And for de Vries, this plant isn’t just a plant, it’s a conversation about cycles, about life, about the simple act of paying attention. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most profound things are the ones that unfold slowly, right in front of us.