Michiel van Bakel: Visual Artist in Forest Landscapes

In this episode of Smart Forests Radio, we venture into the forest on the Peelrandbreuk in Boekel, the Netherlands. Recorded during a forest walk on a warm summer day in June 2023, the episode features visual artist Michiel van Bakel and ecovillage founder Ad Vlems. The Peelrandbreuk, a geological fault line, is clearly visible in the landscape due to variations in elevation. During our walk, we had intriguing conversations around the local area and van Bakel’s interactive artworks.

Michiel van Bakel studied astronomy, photography, psychology, and visual arts. He expresses himself through video, sculptures, and installations, conveying a fascination with the tension between humans and technology, as well as the perception of time within our disrupted ecosystems. Working with tools such as cameras, scanners, and image processing algorithms, he aims to extend his senses and visualises things that were previously unseen. For more on his work, see: https://www.michielvanbakel.nl/.

Interviewer: Michelle Westerlaken

Producer: Harry Murdoch

Language note: This interview takes place in Dutch.

Image: Michiel van Bakel