For fashion brands such as Hermès and Maison Margiela photographer Lonneke van der Palen travels the world. During these journeys, the navigation regularly goes crazy. When she sees an image that appeals to her, she leaves the highlighted route to capture it.
The images she makes during these trips form the series Please Return to the Highlighted Route. These have dead normal subjects. These can be everyday rituals, utensils or places that are overlooked by most people. A set table in a dilapidated restaurant for example, a big toe, a remote control on a nightstand in a motel room or a plastic bag dancing on the street.
Wonder
Lonneke wants to amaze the viewer. She looks at everything with the same interest. But instead of simply registering what she sees, she reduces the image to its essence. She does this by enlarging everyday impressions and placing them in a new and alienating light. For example, by illuminating the mane of a horse pink, or by making an exciting composition out of bags of rubbish. In this way she manages to captivate you for little things you normally overlook.
The whole series together forms a story. She takes you on a journey. A journey that Lonneke made herself. Every image is a memory for her, but she doesn't give away too much. As a viewer you are taken along, but at the same time you form your own story.
Volkskrant Beeldende Kunst Prijs
Please Return to the Highlighted Route is an ongoing project that Lonneke has been working on for five years. Some of the photographs were previously shown in Stedelijk Museum Schiedam as part of the exhibition on the occasion of the Volkskrant Beeldende Kunst Prijs, for which Lonneke was nominated.