Present Tense — A Practice in Attention

Thursday 6 August 2026 12:00
Saturday 5 September 2026 17:00

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Present Tense — A Practice in Attention

Marlike Marks

06.08 - 05.09.2026

Present Tense — A Practice in Attention is an ongoing photographic practice by Marlike Marks, centred around a simple gesture: looking up.

The project developed from a daily practice of photographing the sky above Rotterdam into a ritual of attention and presence. Each image marks a specific moment in time: a certain day, a particular light, a changing atmosphere. The photographs are not about the sky itself, but about the act of looking and the way repetition can transform our perception of the everyday.

During the presentation at Ballon Rouge, the images come together as a growing installation. Printed, dated, and arranged chronologically by hand, they form a visual record of an ongoing practice. The process of selecting, printing, and building the installation becomes part of the work itself, making time, care, and attention visible.

The installation can be visited from Thursday to Saturday, 12–17h. During these hours, visitors are invited to witness the ongoing process of building the work, as the installation continues to take shape throughout the presentation.

*Present Tense — A Practice in Attention* , 2026
© Mafrlike Marks

Archive Release

Until 5 September 2026, selected works from Marlike Marks’ archive are available as a one-time release.

As her practice continues to evolve, Marlike is gradually moving towards new materials, processes, and forms of presentation.

Memories of Tomorrow No. 15, 2021
© Marlike Marks

This release offers the opportunity to acquire selected works from earlier periods in their current form and framing. These works will not be reproduced in this exact presentation.

The release includes selected works from Sunflower Lane, and original Polaroids from Memories of Tomorrow, two personal series exploring love, friendship, and the making of memories.