Here's a short video impression of how two dutch artists make photographs that are directly related to their taxidermy process, which requires enormous patience and dedication. Before being mounted, the animal, reptile and bird skins are carefully bathed to ensure they are as clean and bright as possible. While these empty skins float in the soapy water, they seem to be revived back into life, performing a sort of graceful water ballet. Sinke and van Tongeren wanted to capture the magic of this poetic and mesmerising effect in these bold and spectacular photographs.
The first collection of photographic prints was released in 2015 and bought avidly by collectors, including Damien Hirst who paid tribute to their artistic vision by investing in a complete set. Its success inspired Sinke and van Tongeren to explore the concept further, striving for poses that are – as the titles suggest – Unknown. The paradox is that these floating skins achieve compositions that are equal to the beauty of the original creature, but in a sense exist in a parallel plane to them.
Note: None of these animals have been taken from the wild and all animals have died of natural causes.
More info: finetaxidermy.com
The making of Unknown Poses
Title: Unknown Pose by Scarlet Ibis
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 90 cm W 113 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 90 cm W 113 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Roseate Spoonbill
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Snowy Owl
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Greenwinged Macaw
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Great White Pelican
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Cayman
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Burmese Python
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 160 cm W 160 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Black-necked Swan
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 113 cm W 90 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 113 cm W 90 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Black Swan
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 113 cm W 90 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 113 cm W 90 cm
Title: Unknown Pose by Barn Owl
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 40 cm W 40 cm
Medium: Giclée Fine Art Print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper
Size: H 40 cm W 40 cm