Jack Marijnissen

Jack Marijnissen captures the city of New York in a fascinating reverie. His photograph “Sunset in Midtown NYC” depicts the iconic skyline in the glimmering evening light. The entire reality of the city is revealed in this exact instant. Marijnissen transforms the light and color into an artistic composition. The daylight will soon fade and the noise with transition into the quiet of night, but the magical mood of this unique moment remains intact.

The Dutch artist walks the streets of New York, preferring the morning blue hour or after sunset in the gloaming. In his own words: “It is incredible what a difference it makes when you go through the streets and everything is quiet and peaceful.” Using his camera, Marijnissen pinpoints this quiet and perfectly captures it for all eternity.

With the hand-finished Wood Lattice Frame set on top, the LUMAS artwork “Sunset in Midtown NYC” has a very unique appearance. For the viewer, it is like looking out at the city through a window. You can really feel the looming quiet that slowly comes over the city with the setting of the sun. Marijnissen says: “The colors and people that mix with the architecture in the cities give me energy and the motivation to create my photos.”

Picasso once said, “you don’t make art, you find it.” Where do you find your art?
Honestly, I don’t actively go looking for art. When I do encounter it, it gives me the shivers.

From an idea to its materialization: How do you approach your work?
The first thing I do is look for a city I would like to visit. Next, I research interesting places and buildings there, using Google Earth to explore the streets before I go. Then I decide which month I will visit and book a hotel and flights. The moment that everything is booked, I begin to make a schedule of which buildings I will visit and when, whether I will need to buy tickets and so on. Unfortunately, I can’t plan the weather forecast. Once I’m back home, I start working on the photos on my computer. I check them, select the ones I think are the best, and begin the editing process.
“A photographer should be objective – but this isn’t always easy. In some shoots, you might feel like you’ve done a hell of a job that should result in some great images, but it doesn’t always work out that way. When I’m satisfied with a work, I put it up for sale so that people can order it. All my photographs are processed by a professional photo lab.” (V2)

What is your favorite book?
I’m not a big reader – I prefer the National Geographic, or magazines on photography or wine.

Which artist would you like to have coffee with and what would you discuss?
I don’t drink coffee, but I’d like to have a discussion with David Bowie over a cup of tea. The discussion would be about anything he regretted or forgot to do during his turbulent life.

How did you get into art?
When I was 15 years old, I visited the Louvre during a school trip to Paris. This was my first introduction to great artists, architecture and art of all colors and sizes. This was where it all clicked for me.

Who are the people in your surroundings that influence you?
Early on, I was inspired by Anton Corbijn – his photography was, and still is, great. Ansel Adams is also one of my favorites. Now, I regularly check social media to keep an eye on new things.

Imagine you have a time machine. Where would you go?
I would like to go to the year 2090 in the hope that I could see how my four children grew up and if they’re happy… though on second thought, I don’t think I would dare to do it if I had the chance. So let’s go to 1970, the year I was born, and see what my new world was really like.

Other than art, what are you most passionate about?
My other passion is learning as much as I can about wine. To me, producing a good bottle of wine is also an art.

What are you working on right now?
At moment, I’m preparing for my next trip. This spring I will visit and photograph London.