In an earlier post I mentioned my upcoming exhibition in Helsinki. So if you are around here on Sept. 12 at 17h drop in at the Laterna Magica Gallery in Helsinki, Rauhankatu 7.
But earlier I also promised to tell more about the project that led to the exhibition and, in addition, I am proud to announce publication of the accompanying book. So, here we go:
The project looks at the fractal character of nature. That will say at the phenomenon that natural processes often come to similar results. While we often tend to think of fractals in connection with small regular forms like fern leaves, the principles apply also to larger forms, even landscapes. The idea to show the big in the small underlies the Japanese arts of suiseki (“bonsai” stone displays) and rock garden design and the project takes a lot of inspiration from these arts.
But the project is also a distinctly “photographic” one: none of the mountains is higher than 1m (most are actually much smaller) and all of them are in the water of the Baltic Sea. It is the distinct quality of the camera with its ability to distort scale and time to widen our view here by illusion. Only by being deluded about the scale, and (to some extend) the water, we get the feel for “unity” in nature.
Since I published my first book with a local publisher two years ago I have been looking for ways to do publishing differently. Now, I have found a way to do this, namely to be in full control of book layout and production, but still having a partner to print, ship and invoice world-wide. Also print quality is for me of paramount importance for my photos and I think the results meet this requirement. Therefore, I am proud to announce availability of my second book “Mountains of the Sea“. The hardcover, A4-sized book has 44 pages and contains all the photos from the exhibition. In addition, it gives the background for the project but also visits the locations, where the shots have been taken.
It costs 22,50 Euro (+ shipping) and can be ordered online. As mentioned, shipping and billing works world-wide! A brief preview of the book can be found here.
Most of the work for the project has been done early in autumn last year. That means it took about a year from shooting to exhibition, which is quite normal. But there is a problem for me as I often become very critical towards earlier work. And I am quite self-critical to begin with. I think this is normal, even good. A year is a long time and as an artist one has to move on to other topics and new ways to “talking” about them. But it feels kind of awkward to be at your own exhibition opening thinking: “you could have done this better…”
Therefore, when I printed the final series for the exhibition, I was somewhat surprised about how much I still liked these photos myself. They still do exactly what they were supposed to do and, as a series, hold together well. I hope you like them, too. Talk to you soon!