Picture it: a room full of small, dark worlds. You decide to step into a desolate landscape, where fog and dusk make it hard to know where you are. Imagine shuddering and quickly stepping into another world, like one with a cloaked human figure. You don't really have to imagine it, though. You can just walk into the Noorderlicht photo gallery.
An exhibition of work by Lasse Hoile has been on display at Noorderlicht since December 10. Hoile is from Denmark and is a photographer and filmmaker. He works closely with musicians, for whom he designs record sleeves and other items. His work can be described as film-like, dark and slightly erotic. Hoile is not averse to quite a bit of photo editing: as a result, some of the photos could be called collages.
NOT JUST A PHOTO ON THE WALL
The exhibition is a total experience. The works hang between the beams that are part of the industrial walls. Sometimes a photo is used as a background over which new photos are presented. The works are printed on a variety of materials and hang interspersed on the walls toward the front. Sometimes these are large papers curling off the wall, other times they are smaller and salon-like on top of each other, creating a new ‘collage’.
As if a friend had used a home video camera
In a separate room, a film by Hoile is playing. It is a documentary in which he follows musician Steven Wilson. The film is about music as an art form and the artistic beliefs they share. It provides a personal portrait, as if a friend had used a home video camera. In it, the relationship between Hoile's work and music is much more evident. For a moment you have a view of, almost literally, a twilight zone between two art forms.
EVEN MORE MUSICIANS
Galerie Noorderlicht also has a project space, where work by Atelier Jùnn can be seen along with Lasse Hoile's exhibition. In terms of content, the work fits well with the main exhibition. Again, musicians are the subject. Because of the special photography method, specifically the use of collodion, the photographs are very similar in feel to the work of Lasse Hoile.
I've never been to such a crowded gallery. Often a gallery visit is a solitary affair, but here people are constantly walking in. I am warned that during Eurosonic Noorderslag it will be even busier. At that time Lasse Hoile's exhibition will serve as the backdrop to De Salon, a programme of lectures, performances and discussions. If you visit Noorderlicht then, you’re guaranteed to be in that twilight zone for a while.
Atelier Jùnn will be on display at Noorderlicht until 29 January. You can view Lasse Hoile's photos until 12 March.
Text: Gerdine Kruizinga
Image: Anna Hiep