Artist Statement Vince Donders 2024: 
My work examines the tension between human progress and ecological decline. Inspired by industrial landscapes and technologies, I explore the aesthetic, ecological, and material impact of raw material extraction and processing. This transformation of our environment has introduced non-biodegradable substances into every living being, spreading chemicals and toxins from factories into products, bodies, and ecosystems.

I am captivated by the industrial complex itself—endless production lines, metallic cities of pipes and smoke—both as symbols of human perseverance and as warnings of our recklessness. These structures reflect our achievements but they also highlight the destructive cost of progress: pollution and environmental damage.

Despite this, I remain hopeful in humanity’s resilience. My installations embrace this duality—creation and destruction—inviting viewers to reflect on shaping a sustainable future and adapting to prevent further harm.

Hall H – 1.01