I learned to observe, draw, and sculpt in the studio of my father, the goldsmith and sculptor Joos van Vlijmen. Later, while working at the audiovisual production company De Beeldenstorm (1983–1985) and the computer animation company Electro GIG (1985–1990), I added video, animation, graphic techniques, and computer programming to my skill set. Confronting the challenges of software development there led me on a quest to make the software production process more manageable. I studied Computer Science at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and earned my Ph.D. in software engineering at Utrecht University (UU) in 1998. Both programs were completed in the research groups led by Jan A. Bergstra.

I approached my doctoral research with an engineer’s mindset: science and technology allow us to thoroughly address and solve problems. As the research progressed, that view shifted. Software products seemed to cause just as many problems as they solved. As a result, another question took center stage: What exactly are software products, and what dynamics do they set in motion? This question quickly broadened to encompass the functioning and significance of organisms and their products in a general sense. I have been conducting research on this topic since 1996 under the heading: Aggregation Dynamics. See elsewhere on this site or click here.

I work on Aggregation Dynamics in various ways: through projects, books, articles, and works of art. Starting in 2010, I moved away from the associative form of philosophizing about Aggregation Dynamics through art. Since then, I have been conducting research in a more academic manner, resulting in written works. On the side, I am still involved in work on computer science topics. Because Aggregation Dynamics can be understood as an extension of ecology, I began working as a field ecologist in 2019. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness in nature through intensive engagement.

Below is a brief overview of my artistic activities. Since the late 1990s, I have been exhibiting my own work and taking on commissioned projects, although my activity in that area has now virtually come to a halt. I was closely involved in the development of the “Het Hoofdkantoor” studio complex (35 studios) in Haarlem: from the initial initiative and proposal through to the renovation and completion (2002–2004).

Solo exhibitions
De Nieuwe Slof, Castricum, 2008 • Kunstgroep de Compagnie, Veghel, 2006 • Chambre d'amis, Aerdenhout, 2002 • Galerie De Grunerie, Oegstgeest, 2001 • Galerie Artwindow, Heemstede, 2001 • ARTTRA, Amsterdam, 2001 • Eurovite, Ede, 2000 • Eikenrode, Heemstede, 1999.

Projects and installations
Monumentendagen, Hofje van Staats, 2005 • Windobjecten project met Ateliers 195-197, 2006 • Laboratorium Galerie Wegert & Sadocco, Winkel, 2007 • Internationale expositie Art Moves, Amsterdam, 2007 en 2008 • Reboot, Rotterdam, 2008-2009.

Group exhibitions (a selection)
Pulchri Studio 2010 en 2012 • Internationale expositie KiC, Büdelsdorf (D), 2007 • ITAF, Amsterdam, 2007 • Galerie Petra Spuijbroek, Haarlem, 2006 • ABC Architectuurcentrum, Haarlem, 2000, 2003, 2005 • Galerie Loes Koster, Muntendam, 2007 en 2001 • Go Gallery, Amsterdam, 2000.

Commissions
ROC ASA, 2006 • SCHOUS van 1854, 2004 • SBBO, 2003 • De Groene Stad, 2002.

Collections
Universiteit Utrecht • Artwindow • Gemeente Heemstede • De Groene Stad • De Grunerie • Radboud Universiteit • ROC ASA • SBBO • privé collecties.