073OV019Copy 2©Theo Bos 1998

The Perfect Picture

“With his CD-ROM The Perfect Picture, the internationally renowned photographer Theo Bos opens up new perspectives. The Perfect Picture does not want to formulate a representative photographic vision of the subject but seeks rather to present a method whereby the subject can be thoroughly experienced – in a manner that verges on the way we do that in reality: one that is complex, abundant, and not always equally clear and unambiguous. In concert with the user, the CD-ROM offers a voyage of discovery, involving multiple layers of time and space, in search of the image of the Kromhout barracks near Utrecht.”
Magazine NEXT LIBERTY, November 1999 (extract)

 

YEAR: 1995-98

COMMISSIONED + INDEPENDENT + FUNDED

 

DOCUMENTATION:

Bas Vroege, Ça a été. (Essay, pdf)

Ole Bouman, The soul of the spot. (Essay, pdf)

Joachim Schmid, Working with photographs. (Essay, pdf)

Hans Steketee, Forbidden Circles. (Essay, pdf)

Jury report, Excellence award Tokyo International Photo-Biennale (pdf)

 

The main interface
The main interface

The main interface

All images are stored in their specific archives, in military order.
All images are stored in their specific archives, in military order.

All images are stored in their specific archives, in military order.

This screenshot shows an inventory in clickable images and running text for building BB. Every single barrack and building has its own two letter code and can be explored.
This screenshot shows an inventory in clickable images and running text for building BB. Every single barrack and building has its own two letter code and can be explored.

This screenshot shows an inventory in clickable images and running text for building BB. Every single barrack and building has its own two letter code and can be explored.

Click on a gridpoint on the little map (upper left corner) and you find yourself somewhere on the terrain. All available images of this specific point can be browsed to inform you about its present and past usage.
Click on a gridpoint on the little map (upper left corner) and you find yourself somewhere on the terrain. All available images of this specific point can be browsed to inform you about its present and past usage.

Click on a gridpoint on the little map (upper left corner) and you find yourself somewhere on the terrain. All available images of this specific point can be browsed to inform you about its present and past usage.

You move around the terrain by mouse-clicking on directional images at the gridpoints
You move around the terrain by mouse-clicking on directional images at the gridpoints

You move around the terrain by mouse-clicking on directional images at the gridpoints

A contemporary background image at a gridpoint in the north-eastern section. A severed finger, preserved in formaldehyde. Photographed on a windowsill of the bell tower.
A contemporary background image at a gridpoint in the north-eastern section. A severed finger, preserved in formaldehyde. Photographed on a windowsill of the bell tower.

A contemporary background image at a gridpoint in the north-eastern section. A severed finger, preserved in formaldehyde. Photographed on a windowsill of the bell tower.

An image from the local military historical archive: a manned long range listening device for detecting hostile aircrafts.
An image from the local military historical archive: a manned long range listening device for detecting hostile aircrafts.

An image from the local military historical archive: a manned long range listening device for detecting hostile aircrafts.

A contemporary background image at a gridpoint in the southern section. Recruits recover after a tough training session on the assault course.
A contemporary background image at a gridpoint in the southern section. Recruits recover after a tough training session on the assault course.

A contemporary background image at a gridpoint in the southern section. Recruits recover after a tough training session on the assault course.

An employee of the heavy equipment maintenance department at his desk. Contemporary background image.
An employee of the heavy equipment maintenance department at his desk. Contemporary background image.

An employee of the heavy equipment maintenance department at his desk. Contemporary background image.

An image from the baracks’ military historical archive: military trenches combat training.
An image from the baracks’ military historical archive: military trenches combat training.

An image from the baracks’ military historical archive: military trenches combat training.

A compilation of so-called background images, available per grid point. Specially photographed for the project or found in military archives in various places in the country.
A compilation of so-called background images, available per grid point. Specially photographed for the project or found in military archives in various places in the country.

A compilation of so-called background images, available per grid point. Specially photographed for the project or found in military archives in various places in the country.

13TPP_scrdmp_bouwen-sch1.270_14,5tif©TPP 1998 Theo Bos
13TPP_scrdmp_bouwen-sch1.270_14,5tif©TPP 1998 Theo Bos

Screenshot of the first step in determining the future use of the site.

Composite image of the characteristic buildings on the southern part of the Kromhout barracks site, a preliminary step in the ‘Build’ section.
Composite image of the characteristic buildings on the southern part of the Kromhout barracks site, a preliminary step in the ‘Build’ section.

Composite image of the characteristic buildings on the southern part of the Kromhout barracks site, a preliminary step in the ‘Build’ section.

After going through an illustrated urban development process (see bottom of the screen), the image in the upper part illustrates the users’ preferences according to the future use of the site.
After going through an illustrated urban development process (see bottom of the screen), the image in the upper part illustrates the users’ preferences according to the future use of the site.

After going through an illustrated urban development process (see bottom of the screen), the image in the upper part illustrates the users’ preferences according to the future use of the site.

One of the final images from the Building section: high density corporate high-rise. The factory chimney is the only remnant of the former military terrain.
One of the final images from the Building section: high density corporate high-rise. The factory chimney is the only remnant of the former military terrain.

One of the final images from the Building section: high density corporate high-rise. The factory chimney is the only remnant of the former military terrain.

The north-eastern part of the barracks. A proposal to redevelop the terrain as a Campus for the University College.
The north-eastern part of the barracks. A proposal to redevelop the terrain as a Campus for the University College.

The north-eastern part of the barracks. A proposal to redevelop the terrain as a Campus for the University College.

Corporate high rise in a low density, green setting is another one of the outcomes. The chapel of the former barracks site has been spared.
Corporate high rise in a low density, green setting is another one of the outcomes. The chapel of the former barracks site has been spared.

Corporate high rise in a low density, green setting is another one of the possible outcomes. The chapel of the former barracks site has been spared.

A preference for high density private housing with lots of green. Note the remnants of Fort Kromhout in the center of the image.
A preference for high density private housing with lots of green. Note the remnants of Fort Kromhout in the center of the image.

A preference for high density private housing with lots of green. Note the remnants of 'Fort Vossegat' in the center of the image.

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