Preview:

Fireworks with Negative Lenses

The artist Nikolaj Recke showcases something as unusual as a fireworks display of impactful negatives in Kirke Sonnerup starting Saturday.

KIRKE SONNERUP: It is gallery owner Sam Jedig who is opening two solo exhibitions at Stalke Gallery.

One exhibition features avant-garde artist Nikolaj Recke, while the other is a surrealistic aerial photography display of the unique Icelandic landscapes by photographer Sigurður Sigurjónsson.

Nikolaj Recke was in Kirke Sonnerup yesterday to hang his images and explain that the pictures are created from photographs and film, taken in New York during America's Independence Day on July 4.

"I took a series of images of the night's fireworks and had an assistant develop these images as negatives. The fireworks only lasted 35 minutes, so it had to go fast," he explains.

When he saw the negatives, he was fascinated and had them photographed again so that the black turned white. Simultaneously, the sound of the fireworks was recorded on film, and in Kirke Sonnerup, a short film with sound effects from the fireworks will also be shown.

This makes it clear, he adds, that it is also meant as a political commentary.

"The USA is at war, but it doesn't affect their celebrations. They party on. Their Fourth of July is based on freedom, where they discuss, speak, and hold celebrations," says Nikolaj Recke, who will be accompanied by the Icelandic master photographer today.

"If one can afford the ticket," as Sam Jedig points out, "due to Iceland's inflation, which has hit the country hard because of the financial crisis."

Sigurður Sigurjónsson is widely acclaimed by many who have visited Iceland and been fascinated by the country's distinctive topography.

The opening takes place today between 1-5 PM, after which the exhibition can be visited until November 9 and by appointment.

Rita Vestergaard

Dagbladet

Two New Exhibitions

Stalke Gallery in Kirke Sonnerup is preparing two new exhibitions featuring Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson from Iceland and Nikolaj Recke from Denmark.

By Palle Bruselius

Kirke Sonnerup: On Saturday, October 11, Stalke Gallery will open its first fall exhibition in the gallery with Nikolaj Recke, who presents his new photo series 4th of July. The series was created during Nikolaj Recke's stay in New York last year. 4th of July is, of course, the day when the USA celebrates its independence.

The idea behind the work is simple yet innovative: a series of negative photographs of fireworks. Recke explains that it is a conceptual work with political undertones. "It's a paradoxical, yet beautiful representation of an odd critique of the USA," he says.

Icelandic Art
Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson, who is among the creators of the famous photo books Lost in Iceland and Icelanders from 2004, debuted at Gallery Kambur last year with new photographic works, including the series Earthward, where Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson flew in a private plane at an altitude of 50-100 meters over the Icelandic landscape.

Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson showcases a total of 17 large photographic works measuring 1x1 meter. Later this year, a major book covering the entire project will be published.

Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson also exhibited earlier this year at the exhibition Island in Borup and at Stalke Up North in Gilleleje as part of group exhibitions.

Midtsjælland Folkeblad

Nikolaj Recke

Back gallery

Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson

Front and center gallery