Berndnaut Smilde (born 1978 in Groningen, Netherlands) is a Dutch artist celebrated for his ephemeral indoor cloud installations, most notably his Nimbus series. His work often explores themes of duality, ephemerality, and the sublime, blurring the lines between art, science, and the natural world.
Early Life and Education
Smilde studied at the Frank Mohr Institute in Groningen and the Academy of Art and Design St. Joost in Breda. His early work involved various forms of installation art, demonstrating an interest in site-specific interventions and the manipulation of atmospheric conditions.Artistic Practice: The Nimbus Series
Smilde gained international recognition for his Nimbus series, initiated around 2010. These installations involve creating temporary, perfectly formed clouds within confined architectural spaces. The process is meticulously controlled:- Environmental Control: He precisely manipulates temperature, humidity, and lighting within a designated room.
- Smoke Machine: A smoke machine is used to release a burst of smoke.
- Moisture and Condensation: The smoke particles, combined with carefully controlled humidity and temperature differences, briefly condense into a visible cloud.
- Ephemeral Nature: The cloud exists for only a few moments before dissipating, making photography an essential element of the work. The photographs serve as the primary documentation and enduring representation of these fleeting sculptures.
His Nimbus installations are not merely scientific experiments but artistic statements that challenge perceptions of permanence and the natural order. They evoke a sense of wonder and impossibility, bringing an outdoor phenomenon indoors and highlighting its transient beauty.
Themes and Inspirations
Smilde's work delves into several key themes:- Ephemerality: The temporary nature of the clouds underscores the transient quality of existence and the preciousness of moments.
- The Sublime: By bringing a powerful natural phenomenon into an intimate setting, he touches upon the concept of the sublime—a feeling of awe mixed with a touch of reverence or wonder.
- Duality: His art often juxtaposes opposing forces: nature and artifice, permanence and transience, control and chaos, the familiar and the impossible.
- Scientific and Artistic Intersection: Smilde meticulously researches atmospheric conditions and uses scientific principles to achieve his artistic vision, bridging the gap between scientific inquiry and creative expression.