Book launch Norwegian Journal of Photography

by heartbeat

“As photographers and bookmakers, we firmly believe that the best way to deepen and expand a photographer’s vision is to give him or her the time and support to work on a long-term project that he or she is passionate about – and this is exactly what the NJP has provided each photographer. For the past two years – and in some instances longer – these talented and committed Norwegian men and women have been photographing their country, bringing to each project curiosity, intelligence, and passion—as well as a unique eye.”
– Look north more often: Alex Webb, Rebecca Norris Webb (from the foreword).

Welcome to the book launch of  Norwegian Journal of Photography (NJP), Friday 5th of April, 6pm at Fritt Ord. Over the past two years NJP and the Fritt Ord Foundation have brought together and encouraged ten Norwegian photographers who have been working on their own individual projects over time. The goal is to cultivate a photographic community and create an inspiring forum that will enable Norwegian photographers to show their works internationally while continuing to produce relevant and exciting visual stories.

Please visit New York Times Lens Blog to see a presentation of the book and read about some of the projects.

Nina Strand:Dr Strand

by Heartbeat

Dr Strand is a personal picture-memoir about the late doctor Kitty Strand, told by her daughter, Nina Strand. On December 1, 2001, somewhere between seven and half past seven in the evening, Kitty Strand died, alone, in a room at Ullevaal Hospital in Oslo, Ever since, I, her daughter, have wondered what my life would look like if she was still alive. This book is an attempt to tell the story about my mother, which will be told through a journey across the U.S., a trip my mother and I wanted to take together. I brought my daughter along, to revive my mothers thoughts and ideas - for one last time.

Nina Strand works as a photographer, writer and is the founder and editor of Objektiv, a Norwegian journal for lense-based art. Strand has earlier published the photobook "So, how do you think youre doing", a collection of photographic novelettes that are driven by the thoughts and desires of the chief figure, the photographer herself. 

Rebecca Jafari: While we´re waiting

by heartbeat

For almost a year, I’ve been photographing the daily life of children living in Norwegian reception centres. About 4000 children spend parts of their childhood in reception centres all around the country - waiting for the final answer: will their family be able to stay in Norway?

Working on this project about childhood in reception centres, I’ve been recalling thoughts from my own childhood. I remember how long one year felt like. Many of the children I’ve been photographing are born in Norway. They spend year after year in these centres. For an adult one year passes through quickly. But for a child, a year feels like an incredible long time. For most of these children – the refugee centre is their childhood home.

In spite of a difficult and different life situation, the children living in refugee centres are just like other children. They remind me of my own family, my own children. They talk about princesses, they like to listen to Justin Bieber, they don’t always like their homework and they love running around… But. There is also a huge difference. They don’t know if they will be able to continue school next year, they don’t know anything about the future. Everything depends on the answer: yes or no.

In my project I’ve been trying to explore and capture a childhood on hold. The exhibition is financed by Save The Children.

Rebecca Jafari, Education: Århus Journalisthøjskole, Københavns fotoksole og Bilder Nordic School of Photography. Work: Dagsavisen, Klassekampen, Norwegian Red Cross and UNDP Bhutan, Save the Children.

Take Care Of Yourself by Sophie Calle

by Andrea Gjestvang

Today I went to Lillehammer to see the exhibition Take Care Of Yourself by Sophie Calle at Lillehammer Kunstmuseum. Actually, the real reason I went, was because I was invited as a studio guest in a local TV show, NRK Østnytt, to talk about the Picture of the Year prize and my project. It was my first real appearance in a TV show and I was kind of nervous. Seeing Calle's exhibition was a nice way think of something else. And it was such a beautiful exhibition. Suggestive, funny, sad.

The background of the project is a an email Calle received from her former boyfriend, where he ends their relationship. The last sentence is Take care of yourself. Calle handles the grief process by asking 107 women, all chosen on behalf of their profession or skills, to interpret the letter either by analyzing it, comment on it, dance it, sing it etc. She portrayed the women while they read the letter. 

Beautiful portraits, words, sketches and videos form the exhibition. I recommend it most warmly. 

Congratulations, Andrea!

by Marie Sjøvold

Last night Andrea Gjestvang´s portrait of Ylva Schwenke was announced Picture of the year in Norway. The picture is part of Andreas book "En dag i historien" ("One day in history"), where she has portrayed 43 youths who survived the 22nd of July massacre at Utøya last summer. 

Read what Andrea wrote about the project here:  Waiting for the book.

Congratulations, Andrea! 

Anniek Beije: IK

by heartbeat

 

The project IK (dutch word for ME) is my story about my life with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make repeated, quick movements or sounds that they cannot control. These movements or sounds are called tics. My photos and video are my visual journal and portray my life with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. I was diagnosed with Gilles de la Tourette when I was 7 years old. I wanted to show how tics look and feel, and started making photos of my own tics, grabbing any camera at hand.

Anniek Beije lives and works in Amsterdam. She graduated from Fotovakschool as a photographic designer in 2012. She is focussing on documentary stories and personal projects. This work is an ongoing project.

German Photographie presents Midnight Milk

by Marie Sjøvold

 

 

Ute Noll has written about my project Midnight Milk in the latest german Photographie.