Photo: Ruud van Empel

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Man has crossed boundaries from the very beginning. The borders of his territory, but also the limits of his physical and mental powers.

In the early days territories were marked by natural means, at a later stage boundaries were laid down in treaties and official documents. For those who did not want to listen, these frontiers were marked with poles, sometimes even connected with barbed wire to keep the others outside or (for that matter) the own citizens or subjects inside.

The world has known many boundaries over the past centuries. Frontiers, which were crossed by armies in order to propagate religions or ideologies. Boundaries, which were transgressed to expand economic power. Frontiers, which were ignored by explorers out of curiosity or missionary zeal with as many territorial consequences. Frontiers disappeared, were shifted and new ones were created.

In a metaphorical sense the photographer or artist is continuously shifting his limits. Between disciplines, but also when thinking in shape, content and method. Being aware of one's own limits constitutes the challenge to pass them, instead of staying within. That marks the difference between innovation and imitation.