In an exhibition at Kunsthal Rotterdam, artist Mathias Kessler is quoted to have said that, as a child in the Austrian Alps, he had the feeling of "growing up in someone else's holiday". I can only imagine the confusion a child may experience seeing his snowy valley filled up with cannons for more snow, people in space suits and sticks, and the locals dressing up and playing music unseen, respectively unheard in the valley the rest of the year.
Broadly, Kessler is referring to the holiday as an aspect of the relationship between humans and nature - the digital manufacturing of paradisaical travel agency brochures, the staged authenticity in various locations aiming to lure travelers, as well as the damage inflicted upon landscapes but what is, in the end, an industry.
Perhaps due to my line of work at the moment, I have become rather judgmental of people's holidays choices. Unless dead tired or with children (the two usually related), I am disappointed by decisions to soak in an all-inclusive resort, even more so when taking a long-distance flight to get there. I am not impressed by trips that touch base in 10 countries in 2 weeks, only to post pictures of the main sights at each destinations.
There is definitely a lot to learn and enjoy by really taking the time to see different places around the world, walk around until sore, take random turns, and night trains, genuinely interact with people, and try weird food. But how to do it right, with little impact on nature and people, but still going in depth, off the beaten and advertised track, and coming back safe? That's maybe the art of it.
Below one of the installations by Mathias Kessler - "Nowhere to be found". A decomposing skull corals are feeding on.
Broadly, Kessler is referring to the holiday as an aspect of the relationship between humans and nature - the digital manufacturing of paradisaical travel agency brochures, the staged authenticity in various locations aiming to lure travelers, as well as the damage inflicted upon landscapes but what is, in the end, an industry.
Perhaps due to my line of work at the moment, I have become rather judgmental of people's holidays choices. Unless dead tired or with children (the two usually related), I am disappointed by decisions to soak in an all-inclusive resort, even more so when taking a long-distance flight to get there. I am not impressed by trips that touch base in 10 countries in 2 weeks, only to post pictures of the main sights at each destinations.
There is definitely a lot to learn and enjoy by really taking the time to see different places around the world, walk around until sore, take random turns, and night trains, genuinely interact with people, and try weird food. But how to do it right, with little impact on nature and people, but still going in depth, off the beaten and advertised track, and coming back safe? That's maybe the art of it.
Below one of the installations by Mathias Kessler - "Nowhere to be found". A decomposing skull corals are feeding on.
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