Maarten Hornstra

Change of Era

“We are not living an era of change but a change of era” - Pope Francis (2015)

Change of Era is a personal search for comfort in a dark period, through the act of photography.

Recent years brought an endless stream of news about a world in crisis. To me, this induced feelings of panic and powerlessness. I started to photograph during walks in the dark autumnal and winter nights - an urge I never had before. With a daily dose of bad news in the back of my head I react on what I encounter in the deserted streets and fields. Most living creatures I meet are animals. They are often in a state of alertness, something I can relate to.

After a while I realized I was subconsciously looking for signs in the environment, nature and sky. Signs of reassurance, for things to become better. Or: signs of disaster, of a world spinning out of control in slow-motion.

The walks became a way to reclaim comfort and joy through the act of seeing. I started to notice the simple and beautiful things that will always be there: moonlit clouds, a sleeping horse, the constellation of Orion. After that came the insight: maybe this transitional period is necessary for better times to emerge.

I aim to make the series universal by not showing a specific place, and try to represent these chaotic and polarized times.