False Friends (compositions)

ArtistWim WaumanTitleFalse FriendsYear2014-'15SeriesFalse FriendsMaterialsFine Art Prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag, DibondEdition3

The False Friends Project consists of two series of images which are actually transcriptions of each other.

For this project I drew geometric line drawings and translated these into low relief collages cut from wood veneers. Photographed under directed light to cast shadows on its surface, this series of images entitled Veneers were again transcribed as three-dimensional wooden sets and scenery for new (still life) images: the Compositions.
Or vice versa… By reversing this process one could speak of falsifications.

The title of the project covers multiple aspects and series of my work. The linguistic term ‘false friends’ is a shortened version of the expression ‘false friend of a translator’ and refers to pairs of words or phrases in two languages (or dialects) that look or sound similar, but differ significantly in meaning. There is often a partial overlap in meaning, which creates additional complications. The adjective ‘false’ also highlights intentional mistranslations and anomalies that contribute to the enigmatic and ambiguous goals of my project. Likewise, I play with language – often based upon the etymological origin of words – to title each work: writing an opaque formula for deciphering my decisions to bring certain objects together in a single image. As a family portrait. Or a group of ‘friends’.