Yael BC and the Thin Border Between Natural and Artificial

1 year ago

In a world where the boundary between the natural and the artificial is becoming increasingly blurred, The Caretaker—a photographic project by Yael BC—presents itself as a visual and conceptual reflection on the relationship between humans, animals, and the space they share. Inspired by the existentialist atmosphere of Ingmar Bergman’s famous film The Seventh Seal, this series delves into themes of mortality, solitude, and the narratives we construct to give meaning to our existence.

Yael BC and the vision for The Caretaker

A solitary human figure holds in their arms a sculpted animal—an object that is not alive, yet retains an almost sacred presence. This deliberately artificial element emphasizes the tension between reality and myth, between human intervention and unspoiled nature. Whether real or constructed, the animals take on the role of silent witnesses, symbols of instinct, fragility, and survival.

The characters move within a suspended space, somewhere between a pastoral landscape and an imagined world. Here, identity and interdependence emerge as central themes, while decay, care, and renewal intertwine in a narrative that offers no definitive answers. The presence of the sculpted animal becomes a metaphor for our need to create symbols to cope with life’s impermanence.

As in The Seventh Seal, The Caretaker does not provide absolute answers to existential questions. Instead, the project invites us to reflect on what we choose to hold onto, what we let go of, and the fine line that separates reality from imagination in our continuous search for meaning.