Berkveldt is a Rotterdam-based audiovisual art studio. The projects are rooted in scientifically-based research and explore the interplay between humanity and the natural world.
Through extensive research, Berkveldt incorporates practical, local, and personal knowledge to provide new insights into complex social issues. The immersive installations and audiovisual stories offer a unique perspective on the world. Berkveldt's work challenges our perceptions of reality by using magical realism to offer a different angle on societal and cultural challenges. By incorporating non-human perspectives, viewers are invited to explore the fantastical and the magical within the everyday world. Berkveldt offers a unique vision of the future, challenging dominant paradigms and encouraging us to rethink our relationship with nature.
Noëlle Ingeveldt graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and achieved her Master of Arts at M.I.A.R.D Piet Zwart Instituut. She teaches at the HKU Bachelor Design for Change and Innovation.
Ans en het Universum - The documentary premiered on the 26th of januari during IFFR (International Film Festival Rotterdam).
Ans Hoornweg's extraordinary life, her out-of-body experiences, and communication with extraterrestrials are explored in this sincere testimonial by Berkveldt.
In Poortugaal, a small village just south of Rotterdam, lives Ans Hoornweg – an 80-year-old spiritual medium with tales as vast as the cosmos. The documentary "Ans and the Universe" offers a captivating portrayal of Ans, who is an incarnated alien from the distant planet of Laborax. This isn't mere fantasy; interstellar travels and conversations with extraterrestrial entities have defined Ans her life.
Ans has crafted dolls of many of her celestial friends, a tangible memory of her vast intergalactic network. Since the 1980s, Dutch television audiences have been both bemused and intrigued by Ans and her collection of alien companions.
In 2016, she began sharing her message online, with the support of her confidante Merlinde. Through her YouTube channel, she shares otherworldly wisdom and delivers a stern caution about humanity's reckless treatment of Earth.
Her persistent claim that "the aliens are already here, living peacefully among us" might have garnered admiration within the New Age circles, it also marked her as an outsider amidst her own kind. The documentary "Ans and the Universe" moves between moments of kind-heartedness, melancholy and solitude. It's an exploration of belief, identity, and the touching spaces in between, a moving narrative of a woman moving between cosmic connections and earthly isolation. Berkveldt captures this duality with a delicate touch while documenting Ans in the last years of her life.
Through their lens, viewers are taken behind the scenes of Ans' YouTube presence, witnessing her life unfold, where each piece – a personal moment or a broadcast snippet – form a part of her vibrant story. The audience is offered a unique opportunity to journey across alien realms alongside Ans.
Necrosonic Landscapes - Exploring the Transitional Realm Between Life and Death
‘Necrosonic Landscapes’ is an artistic research project exploring the transitional realm between life and death.
Berkveldt documented the decay of a deceased roebuck using two piezo microphones (contact microphones) and one directional microphone, capturing the audio from the decomposition process. Not only were the sounds of decomposition recorded, but also the sounds of all the animals that benefit from the carcass. The metamorphosis in the soil was made visible by periodically sampling the earth beneath the roebuck. These samples were filmed under a microscope, revealing all the microorganisms benefiting from the carcass. The results were merged into a singular audiovisual installation.
‘Necrosonic Landscapes’ showcases the life that emerges from death, highlighting the importance of death in nature and offering a new perspective on the cycle of life and death.
'Necrosonic Landscapes' was exhibited at Dutch Design Week 2023 at Bio Art Laboratories and at the New Current Exhibition during Rotterdam Art Week 2024.
Made possible by Bio Art Laboratories and CBK Rotterdam.
Bear Country - Reimagining Coexistence and Preserving History.
"Bear Country" embarks the viewer on an engaging artistic research journey. This thought-provoking project delves into the European bear population's resurgence and its potential migration to the Netherlands, fostering crucial discussions on cohabitation between humans and wildlife.
Through meticulous artistic research and close collaboration with biologists, conservationists, and ecologists, Berkveldt unveils a transformative odyssey. Immersed in European landscapes, the artists engage with shepherds, beekeepers, and farmers, gathering invaluable insights into the delicate interplay between humans and bears.
Delving into local museums, Berkveldt uncovers historical artifacts, immersing themselves in the rich heritage of the region. Additionally, paying homage to the bears that ventured from Italy to Germany and Switzerland, the artists employ advanced 3D scanning techniques to immortalize these iconic animals, visiting multiple museums in the process.
"Bear Country" emerges as an artistic inquiry that bridges perspectives, inviting contemplation on harmonious coexistence and preservation of the bear's legacy. Through their visionary exploration, Berkveldt fosters a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics between nature and humanity, inspiring a collective consciousness rooted in respect for the wild and the preservation of our shared heritage.
In collaboration with Olivier Otten and Otto Calmeijer Meijburg. This project is made possible by the Stimuleringfonds Talent Development Grant and the Cultuurfonds and will be finished in oktober 2023.
Dead and Alive - Revealing the Eternal Choreography of Nature's Decay and Rebirth
In our often sheltered existence, the presence of deceased animals rarely graces our vision. Yet, within the sacred embrace of nature, death yields life, nourishing myriad flora and fauna. Through the deliberate decomposition of a fallen roebuck within the terrain of Bio Art Laboratories, the intersection of death and biodiversity was unveiled. Employing an intricate tapestry of 16 cameras and photogrammetry software, the intricate nuances of this transformative process were rendered visible. The resultant revelations were skillfully interwoven into a contemporary fairytale, employing the language of costumes to convey profound truths. By exhibiting this enigmatic creation within the Symbiosene forest of Bio Art Laboratories, the boundaries between reality and fantasy dissolved. Immersing viewers in the embrace of death, we sought to cultivate an understanding that transcends fear, inspiring an embrace of death's intrinsic role within nature's realm.
Exhibited at Dutch Design Week 2022 at Bio Art Laboratories, Museum Jan Cunen and the Ijsselbiennale 2023.
This project was created with the help of: Elke Wenting (WUR), Jeroen Helmer (Ark Rewilding), Stichting Afhandeling & Monitoring Fauna-aanrijdingen.
Made possible by: Bio Art Laboratories Eindhoven, Stichting Stokroos.
Under Six Meters of Sand – Onder zes meter zand - Documentary about the destructive expansion of Europoort
"Under Six Meters of Sand" presents a compelling documentary that exposes the profound consequences of rapid industrial expansion of the Port of Rotterdam in the aftermath of the Second World War. Focused on reconstruction and economic progress, society witnessed a dramatic transformation of the area. With the increased frequency of large oil tankers and massive container ships navigating towards the port, a westward expansion was initiated, resulting in the obliteration and burial of two villages, Blankenburg and Nieuwesluis, as well as the natural reserve De Beer, beneath six meters of sand.
This seemingly inconspicuous act of destruction carries far-reaching implications. The documentary meticulously unravels the actions taken by the Port of Rotterdam and the City of Rotterdam, illuminating the consequences of their decisions. Through insightful interviews with Ed Buijsman, the author of "Een eerste klas landschap," and bird expert Gerard Ouweneel, the film offers a nuanced perspective on the environmental and societal impact. Originally broadcasted on RTV Rijnmond and showcased at TENT Rotterdam:'Rotterdam Cultural Histories, Under Six Meters of Sand', the documentary serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between industrial progress and its lasting legacy.
The Return of the Wolf - With the resolute return of the wolf after a 150-year absence, the Dutch landscape faces introspection and transformation. In a land where nature and its inhabitants are confined by fences, biodiversity suffers. Yet, unimpeded by such barriers, wolves roam freely, offering a compelling lesson in harmonious coexistence. This natural intervention compels us to question our human behavior, to reassess the boundaries we impose upon ourselves and the wild.
In response to this paradigm shift, Berkveldt crafts a cross-media immersive experience that weaves the tale of the wolf. Through a blend of historical and contemporary media, an animated narrative unfolds, transcending time and bridging the gap between past, present, and future. Within this artistic exploration, fences fade into the realm of imagination, as a speculative vision emerges, revealing a world where humanity and nature are intertwined without constraint.
"The Return of the Wolf" invites us to embrace this transformative journey, where the echoes of the wolf's return resonate, urging us to reconnect with nature's harmonious rhythm. Together, we embark on an artistic odyssey that rekindles our bond with the wild, fostering a landscape where fences no longer divide, and the wolf roams freely once more.
This project was exhibited during Art Rotterdam Week 2021 at the In-Between, Dutch Desingweek 2021. The film was screened at Movie Theater Focus in Arnhem during Gelders Doek in 2021.
The Crayfish Invasion - Ongoing research about the propagation of the American Crayfish
"The Crayfish Invasion" delves into the unsettling reality of the Red American Crayfish's pervasive presence in Dutch waters since 1985. Initially imported for consumption, these creatures have established dominance, rapidly propagating and expanding their population into millions across the country. This invasive species has wrought havoc on the fragile water systems, exerting a detrimental impact by disturbing the natural balance.
This profound ecological disruption extends far beyond the Netherlands, afflicting continents worldwide, with the notable exception of Australia and Antarctica. Immersed in this research, the animator embarks on a compelling journey alongside biologists investigating the crayfish in the Westland. Adopting an alive crayfish, originally intended for consumption, as a resident observer in the animator's home, forms the central character of the animated narratives.
Through the captivating medium of science fiction drama, "The Crayfish Invasion" unravels the ongoing research, shedding light on the intricate behavior of this invasive species. It serves as a poignant exploration of the wider ecological implications and prompts reflection on humanity's role in disrupting delicate ecosystems.
Made possible by the M.I.A.P. foundation with the future of nature grant.
Presented at: Stoep Stories 2022, Sexyland 2022, MIAP future of Nature Exhibition at the Wageningen University & Research 2022.
More info on: https://futureofnature.nl/the-crayfish-invasion-noelle-ingeveldt
With the help of: Bram Koese (EIS Kenniscentrum) and Julia Jansen.
Ephemeral Metamorphosis 2020 - The Transmutation of Self into Nature's Canvas
"Ephemeral Metamorphosis" delves into the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world, delving deep into the realm of transformation and unity. Through a captivating artistic exploration, the project seeks to embody this bond by metamorphosing the human face into a living landscape. The visage undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, remodeled and cast with fertile materials, becoming a fertile ground inhabited by ants, plants, and molds.
As time unfolds, the face landscape evolves, showcasing the ephemeral nature of life and the profound interconnectedness with the natural environment. This evolution serves as a powerful confrontation, challenging the viewer to contemplate the fragility of existence and the impermanence of human identity. Witnessing the gradual disappearance of the face, one is compelled to confront their own place within the grand tapestry of life.
"Ephemeral Metamorphosis" serves as an artistic testament, inviting us to embrace our inherent unity with nature, unveiling a profound sense of interdependence and an appreciation for the delicate balance of life's fleeting moments.
