Marinka Grondel

The fates of human and nature are infinitely intertwined. It’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we’ve lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise I carried with me when I set out on a cross-country quest with my camper van a little over two years ago.
 ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of travelling through Portugal, Spain, Greece and Turkey, making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. This photography series is a visual catalog of my journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions and research on how to manipulate and create sunlight, I try to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps… even a little more h u m a n.


The fates of human and nature are infinitely intertwined. It’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we’ve lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise I carried with me when I set out on a cross-country quest with my camper van a little over two years ago.
 ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of travelling through Portugal, Spain, Greece and Turkey, making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. This photography series is a visual catalog of my journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions and research on how to manipulate and create sunlight, I try to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps… even a little more h u m a n.


The fates of human and nature are infinitely intertwined. It’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we’ve lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise I carried with me when I set out on a cross-country quest with my camper van a little over two years ago.
 ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of travelling through Portugal, Spain, Greece and Turkey, making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. This photography series is a visual catalog of my journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions and research on how to manipulate and create sunlight, I try to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps… even a little more h u m a n.


The fates of human and nature are infinitely intertwined. It’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we’ve lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise I carried with me when I set out on a cross-country quest with my camper van a little over two years ago. ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of travelling through Portugal, Spain, Greece and Turkey, making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. The book is a visual catalog of my journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions and research on how to manipulate and create sunlight, I try to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps… even a little more h u m a n. Design - Marjolein Heije Text - Yabbie Printing - Drukkerij Tripiti Pages - 52 Dimensions - 17 x 24 x 1 cm Limited Edition ''Nour'' sold at: The Hague/ Page Not Found (Sold Out) Amsterdam / Athenaeum boekhandel (Sold Out) Berlin - Safelight Berlin

Marinka Grondel invites you to the launch of her first book ‘Nour’ and the accompanying photography exhibition at The Grey Space. The fates of humans and nature are infinitely intertwined: it’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we have lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise that Marinka Grondel carried with her when she set out on a cross-country quest with her camper van a little over two years ago, which ultimately brought ‘Nour’. Marinka speaks about her photography book together with Marjolein Heije, who executed the book design. Nour ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of traveling through Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Turkey, and making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. The book is a visual catalog of Marinka’s journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions, and research on ways to manipulate and create sunlight, Marinka tries to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps…even a little bit more h u m a n.

Marinka Grondel invites you to the launch of her first book ‘Nour’ and the accompanying photography exhibition at The Grey Space. The fates of humans and nature are infinitely intertwined: it’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we have lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise that Marinka Grondel carried with her when she set out on a cross-country quest with her camper van a little over two years ago, which ultimately brought ‘Nour’. Marinka speaks about her photography book together with Marjolein Heije, who executed the book design. Nour ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of traveling through Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Turkey, and making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. The book is a visual catalog of Marinka’s journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions, and research on ways to manipulate and create sunlight, Marinka tries to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps…even a little bit more h u m a n.

The fates of human and nature are infinitely intertwined. It’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we’ve lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise I carried with me when I set out on a cross-country quest with my camper van a little over two years ago.
 ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of travelling through Portugal, Spain, Greece and Turkey, making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. This photography series is a visual catalog of my journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions and research on how to manipulate and create sunlight, I try to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps… even a little more h u m a n.


The fates of human and nature are infinitely intertwined. It’s the core of our very existence. Yet, we’ve lost touch with this innate sense of belonging. This was the premise I carried with me when I set out on a cross-country quest with my camper van a little over two years ago.
 ‘Nour’ is the culmination of 10 months of travelling through Portugal, Spain, Greece and Turkey, making new work before the eyes of Mother Earth’s own creations. This photography series is a visual catalog of my journey to understanding the inexplicable bond between our being and its source. Through exploration, constructions and research on how to manipulate and create sunlight, I try to play with the notion that a celestial body like the Sun, out of reach as it may seem, can simultaneously be something a little closer to the heart, and perhaps… even a little more h u m a n.


Nour As humans we tend to forget that our existence is a part of nature, that we’re infinitely bound to each other. I can find this back in the sun’s reflection. Even through the reflection of a human-made object or construction, nature seeks to connect. As I peer into a piece of cold, hard metal, glistening in the sunlight, it is me that I see. My inner nature, staring back at me. This installation is inspired by reflective scarecrow constructions found in the rice fields of Bali, Indonesia. Scaring the birds away but catching my eye.

I like to fantasize about the future and think about what people will look like. How do we move and behave? PEEL shows one of my futuristic visions. The world is being polluted with large amounts of plastic and filled with materials from our production processes. With PEEL I investigate what our world would look like if it consisted largely of these materials. The plastic dome that formed the stage for this project symbolises the bubble in which we all live. The materials are a very important part of my artistic process. These are shown in a tangible and detailed way. I play with combining natural and unnatural materials. The viewer sees something that feels natural, but the use of materials creates confusion. Like: Plastic sand and aluminum clouds. CONCEPT AND ART DIRECTION Marjolein Heije & Marinka Grondel PHOTOGRAPHY Marinka Grondel ART Forever Studio

I like to fantasize about the future and think about what people will look like. How do we move and behave? PEEL shows one of my futuristic visions. The world is being polluted with large amounts of plastic and filled with materials from our production processes. With PEEL I investigate what our world would look like if it consisted largely of these materials. The plastic dome that formed the stage for this project symbolises the bubble in which we all live. The materials are a very important part of my artistic process. These are shown in a tangible and detailed way. I play with combining natural and unnatural materials. The viewer sees something that feels natural, but the use of materials creates confusion. Like: Plastic sand and aluminum clouds. CONCEPT AND ART DIRECTION Marjolein Heije & Marinka Grondel PHOTOGRAPHY Marinka Grondel ART Forever Studio

I like to fantasize about the future and think about what people will look like. How do we move and behave? PEEL shows one of my futuristic visions. The world is being polluted with large amounts of plastic and filled with materials from our production processes. With PEEL I investigate what our world would look like if it consisted largely of these materials. The plastic dome that formed the stage for this project symbolises the bubble in which we all live. The materials are a very important part of my artistic process. These are shown in a tangible and detailed way. I play with combining natural and unnatural materials. The viewer sees something that feels natural, but the use of materials creates confusion. Like: Plastic sand and aluminum clouds. CONCEPT AND ART DIRECTION Marjolein Heije & Marinka Grondel PHOTOGRAPHY Marinka Grondel ART Grietje Schepers

In my photography I explore themes surrounding metamorphosis and the diversity of different landscapes; in particular, the profound ways human touch can inevitably transform a landscape. I always try to find connections in my captions, seeking to establish a relationship between elements to create an experience where the human form, objects, art or clothing become part of their surroundings. Through this process I play with reality and maybe create a new one. I like to fantasise about the future and think about what people will look like. How do we move and behave? How can we seperate the world as we know it from the digital one we continuously create? Oddity Realm welcomes you into a cubic space that shows my futuristic visions about the elements fire, water, earth and wind. Designer : Vincent Wong Mua : Kimberley Lau Visuals : NAOWAO Model : Robin de Griend At Draaimolen festival

The ECC-Italy’s exhibition “PERSONAL STRUCTURES - Identities” "PEEL" I like to fantasize about the future and think about what people will look like. How do we move and behave? PEEL shows one of my futuristic visions. The world is being polluted with large amounts of plastic and filled with materials from our production processes. With PEEL I investigate what our world would look like if it consisted largely of these materials. The plastic dome that formed the stage for this project symbolises the bubble in which we all live. The materials are a very important part of my artistic process. These are shown in a tangible and detailed way. I play with combining natural and unnatural materials. The viewer sees something that feels natural, but the use of materials creates confusion. Like: Plastic sand and aluminum clouds.

PEEL Magazine is an online image showcase for visionaries; a realm where the natural and unnatural exist as one. The existence of PEEL arose from the need to bring aspiring local artists together, to co-create a surreal perspective on the world. Materials are a vital part of the artistic process. We combine natural and synthetic materials, displaying them in a tangible and intricate way that allows the viewer to see something that feels natural, yet the juxtaposition between nature and artifice introduces a layer of confusion. Like: plastic sand and aluminum clouds. We love to play and fantasise about the future. What would people look like? How would they behave? How would they navigate the world around them? PEEL magazine is created by Marjolein Heije and Marinka Grondel.

I was honoured to make this photo of Nanette for Vereeuwigd. She has the ehlers-danlos syndrome and wears a brace that allows some movement and provides good support for her connective tissue disease. With this photo I wanted to show the layers of support by the wrist brace that looks so beautiful and on the other side the support she gets from her family covering her in even more layers of protection. But don’t be fooled, underneath these layers there is an extremely powerful young woman. Styling / Maaike van Endhoven Make-up and hair / Xiu Yun Yu

De 4 Artists in Residence zullen het werk dat ze tijdens hun verblijf op 'het Landje van Ed' hebben gemaakt exposeren. Ook Marinka Grondel zal haar serie tonen. Over deze serie schrijft zij: " Deze serie is een antwoord op de foto; ‘Vrijend paar in een tuin, Edam’ 1970 uit het boek 'Eye Love You': een liefdevol portret van de wereld door de ogen van Ed. Hij noemde het een "mensenboek, vrouwen-, mannenboek, libido-, seks-, liefdes-, vriendschapsboek; boek van geluk, verdriet, lijden, dood, strijd, moed en vitaliteit." Net als Ed van der Elsken hou ik enorm van een loopje te nemen met de werkelijkheid. Ik toon jullie graag de serie: ‘De kinderen van de toekomst’."

xPEEL Magazine is an online image showcase for visionaries; a realm where the natural and unnatural exist as one. The existence of PEEL arose from the need to bring aspiring local artists together, to co-create a surreal perspective on the world. Materials are a vital part of the artistic process. We combine natural and synthetic materials, displaying them in a tangible and intricate way that allows the viewer to see something that feels natural, yet the juxtaposition between nature and artifice introduces a layer of confusion. Like: plastic sand and aluminum clouds. We love to play and fantasise about the future. What would people look like? How would they behave? How would they navigate the world around them? PEEL magazine is created by Marjolein Heije and Marinka Grondel.