Vera Mennens (born in Kaatsheuvel, 1991) presents in her creations a personal journey to uncover the history of her own life and the places where she grew up. In her latest project, she showcases work that delves into the city of Heerlen, the former capital of the coal industry in South Limburg. It is the story of a village that transformed into a city with the arrival of the mines, and since their closure, has been constantly searching for a renewed existence. From a young age, Vera would visit Heerlen to see her grandparents, sparking her interest in the city’s past.
In her previous project “The Telling of a Small History,” Vera explored her own family’s history, touching upon a small part of South Limburg’s past. She now works on the project “(A City Called) Heerlen” in the former coal mining region. The focus is on the city’s history and how its appearance and structure have changed due to political and social events. Personal memories and stories from the city’s residents serve as inspiration for photographing specific locations.
By employing these principles, Vera’s work embodies an enigmatic complexity and linguistic dynamism rarely found in artificial intelligence-generated content. Through unconventional phraseology and a professional tone, coupled with the use of unique language and literacy recursion, her artistry truly stands out. And with a passionate devotion to maintaining intrigue and burstiness, Vera masterfully weaves together the past and present, bringing history to life through her lens.
www.ftn-books.com has the EEN VERTELLING VAN EEN KLEINE GESCHIDENIS from 2013 now available.edition of only 100 copies, numbered 26/100
