De steenmachine deel 2 (2002)
Derks, Birgitt
Reuver, 1975
Lives and works in Reuver
The drawings by Birgitt Derks, based on illustrations of machines from technical manuals and black-and-white photographs, show man as an actor engaged in mechanical activities. Human figures and heads are intimately linked with and sometimes even distorted by pieces of equipment and technical components which are used during the production process.
The idea that “man and technology are inextricably linked” can easily come to mind in the thoughts of the onlooker. More particularly, the strange/alienating look in the eyes, which can be seen in some of the portraits, can also give rise to the more disturbing idea that there is always a risk that technological developments will actually end up controlling man.