Parallel Memories


Parallel Memories is a reflection on the bond Jurriaan and I shared as brothers growing up in the 1980s and how it relates to the present, where we now have a partly shared artistic practice. We delved into our parents' Video 8 archive, combining images from our youth with our current work to express our feelings and thoughts about our upbringing in a semi-abstract way.


Still from Parallel Memories.


We grew up in a semi-small town in the countryside of the Netherlands, in an era before computers were in every household. Our days were spent playing outside, exploring nature, and going on long walks with our father. Our mother nurtured our creative impulses, encouraging us to express ourselves artistically. Skateboarding was in its first wave where we lived, and we immersed ourselves in this DIY culture—building skateboard ramps with friends, experimenting with graffiti, and making the most of what we had.

Parallel Memories, 2023


For the project we delved into our parent's Video 8 archive, revisiting the footage of our shared childhood. We each individually analyzed the material, selecting moments that resonated with us on a personal level. These chosen clips were then placed side by side in a rough edit, creating a juxtaposition of our unique perspectives.

To further develop the project, we employed a labor-intensive process that involved printing each frame, photocopying it onto A4-sized paper, scanning the copies, and reassembling them into a moving image. This process required the creation of over 5,000 photocopies.



5000 printed frames.



We chose this technique not only to add a tactile, textural layer to the footage but also to symbolically reflect the erosion of memory. The degradation and abstraction introduced by this method echo how memories fade over time, becoming less about precise details and more about the feelings they evoke.

The final visuals are presented in a dual-frame format, with our selected moments blending together vertically. This layout emphasizes both the shared and individual nature of our memories, creating a visual dialogue that explores how we each perceive and process the same past through distinct lenses.


Parallel Memories,  2023
Projection on two floating papersheets,  180x260 cm.

With Jurriaan Hos
Original Video 8 films from the archive of Jaap en Carla Hos.


CODA Museum, as part of the Paper Art biennale 2023