Present Tense — A Practice in Attention

Marlike Marks

06.08 - 26.09.2026

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 came together as a large-scale 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 became part of the work itself, making time, care, and attention visible.

The installation was completed and presented on Sunday 23 August. It remains on view at Ballon Rouge until 26 September 2026.

The presentation can be visited on Friday and Saturday, 14:00 – 17:00. Visitors are welcome to take their time, look through the installation, and experience the work in its completed form.

*Present Tense — A Practice in Attention* , 2026
© Marlike 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.

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.