Kaarten van Nederland met grove aanduiding van te fotograferen plaatsen - Reinjan Mulder

A conceptual cartographic study by Reinjan Mulder, using a systematic grid to determine photographic locations across the Netherlands.

This work by Dutch artist Reinjan Mulder functions as a conceptual map, documenting a systematic approach to photographic documentation. Executed on standard blue-grid graph paper, the piece presents a methodical division of the Netherlands into a grid system. Mulder uses ink to delineate specific squares, each labelled with alphanumeric codes, while applying watercolour washes to represent the geographical boundaries of the country.

The text accompanying the visual grid provides the logic behind the project. Mulder outlines the mathematical parameters for selecting locations to photograph, aiming for a balanced distribution of points across the territory. By establishing a grid with a sixty-degree orientation, he removes subjective choice from the process of site selection. The notes detail the exclusion of areas beyond national borders, open water, and specific coastal zones, demonstrating a rigorous adherence to his self-imposed rules.

Visually, the work occupies a space between technical drawing and fine art. The contrast between the precise, utilitarian grid and the fluid, hand-applied blue watercolour creates a tension between objective data and human intervention. The handwriting, which fills the margins and the upper section of the sheet, serves as an integral component of the composition, providing the necessary context for the viewer to understand the underlying methodology. This piece reflects the broader interest in systems-based art that emerged in the late twentieth century, where the process of creation is as significant as the final visual output. It invites the viewer to consider the relationship between geography, documentation, and the arbitrary nature of administrative boundaries.