What inspired me in March?
Quiet signals in a loud world
The world feels chaotic right now; noisy, unsettled, tense. And to be honest, so does my inner world. There's a kind of friction between stillness and movement, between wanting to retreat and needing to engage.
I've been leaning on art, books, sound, and technology to create small frameworks of clarity. This newsletter is part of that - not a solution, but a form. A way to trace where my curiosity has wandered, and perhaps offer you a path through your own.
Richard Serra - Drawings
This book, Richard Serra Drawing: A Retrospective, offers a deep dive into Serra's lesser-known but deeply powerful two-dimensional work. Known for his massive steel sculptures, Serra's drawings are equally monumental in intention-dense, dark, physical. He uses black marker not delicately but as a force, building layers that command presence and provoke space.
What touches me most is how visceral these drawings are. They're not just images, they're almost objects - weighty, tactile, immersive. Serra blurs the line between drawing and sculpture, and that speaks directly to my own creative process. Like him, I'm drawn to repetition, material, gesture-and the way something minimal can become overwhelming in the best way.
Art Rotterdam
This year's edition of Art Rotterdam was a treasure trove of unexpected perspectives. A few artists who stood out:
Thomas Manneke (Gallery Wouter van Leeuwen): Quiet black and white photography with a poetic, observational quality. His images, often made in collaboration with his daughter, capture the subtle beauty of everyday rituals.
Tja Ling Hu (Galerie Vrienden van Bavink): Intricate drawings and animations exploring identity, family history and her Chinese heritage - poetic and deeply personal.
Nemanja Nikolić (Dix9 Gallery): Conceptual drawings that dissect and reassemble cinematic language - like watching memory unfold frame by frame.
Alexandra Roozen (PHOEBUS Gallery, Rotterdam): Works rooted in repetition and gesture, where dense textures emerge from minimal marks. Mesmerizing in their quiet intensity.
These artists reminded me that visual language doesn't need volume to be powerful. Sometimes the smallest mark carries the greatest charge.
Great Art Explained – José María Velasco
I recently came across a compelling video from the YouTube channel Great Art Explained, which delves into the work of José María Velasco, a 19th-century Mexican landscape painter. His expansive vistas of Mexico’s valleys and volcanoes are not merely depictions of nature but are imbued with cultural and national significance. The video provides insightful context into Velasco’s life and the historical backdrop of his art.
🎥 Watch: José María Velasco – Great Art Explained
Great Art Explained is a remarkable channel that demystifies significant artworks in approximately 15 minutes, making art history accessible and engaging. Here are five notable masterpieces they’ve explored:
“The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh
An in-depth look at Van Gogh’s iconic swirling night sky and its emotional resonance.
“Guernica” by Pablo Picasso
An analysis of Picasso’s powerful anti-war mural and its historical context.
“The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci
Exploring the composition and symbolism in da Vinci’s renowned depiction of the biblical scene.
“Las Meninas” by Diego Velázquez
Unraveling the complexities and perspectives within Velázquez’s enigmatic court painting.
“The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch
A journey through Bosch’s surreal triptych, interpreting its myriad of fantastical scenes.
For those eager to deepen their understanding of art, this channel offers concise yet comprehensive explorations of some of the world’s most significant artworks.
Focus Mode: ON
A few days ago I needed total immersion — messages off, inbox closed, world paused. This mix by Majnoon, part of the Octo & Friends series, became the perfect sonic cocoon. Deep, cinematic downtempo with an undercurrent of trance-like rhythm. It pulled me into flow, like good art does: no resistance, just movement.
AI as Creative Companion: ChatGPT-4o
OpenAI recently rolled out image generation for ChatGPT-4o. No external tools, no friction — you just describe what you imagine, and it appears. It’s fast, responsive, and easy to use.
I tried it. And while I appreciate the accessibility, I still find myself returning to Midjourney. There’s more control there, more nuance. For what I need — mood, texture, abstraction — ChatGPT’s images feel a bit too contained. Too safe, maybe.
That said, I understand the appeal. The rollout only truly went viral when people noticed it could mimic Studio Ghibli. And that’s the part that stings a bit — that we only get excited about new tools when they imitate something we already know.
Psychedelic Space
I recently returned from a psilocybin journey — one I’ll probably share more about at a later time. These experiences are rarely easy to sum up. They’re not linear, not easily translated. But they always shift something. Quietly.
If you’re interested in this world, I found a thoughtful and grounded resource that’s worth checking out:
https://www.instagram.com/psychedelicsdotcom/
Let me know what’s moved you lately.
A film, a page, a conversation, a sound — what stayed with you? I’d love to hear.
Until next time,
Bastiaan
Hi Bastiaan
Rot dat je je zo voelt🙏
Leegte, rommel, rusteloos
Herkenbaar
Sterkte ❤️🩹