Art Noir Exhibition contains some 140 photographs, several dozen by each artist. The exhibition does not relate the photographs to other aspects of the artists' oeuvre, but views them as independent works. The emphasis is on the artists' self-portraits, an important theme in their photography. August Strindberg's "role figures", Edvard Munch's fleetingly caught moments of atmosphere, Akseli Gallen-Kallela's "virtual reality" and Hugo Simberg's "poor devils" are all poignant and timeless views of the self and the surrounding world.
The works on show are new prints made with modern techniques. They are contemporary interpretations of the artists' works - "new arrangements of old tunes". The photographs have been selected by picture editor Mikko Pekari and the photographer Tuomo-Juhani Vuorenmaa.
The individual frames, reflecting the character of each artist, are designed by the artists Marjatta Hanhijoki and Taneli Eskola.
A book presenting photography by Munch, Gallen-Kallela, Simberg and Strindberg has been published in connection with the exhibition. The publication contains impressive photographs and five articles. It has been issued in various bi-lingual editions, all of which include English. Graphic designer Jorma Hinkka of Graafiset Neliöt Oy has prepared the layout and other printed matter for the exhibition. The first edition of the publication, in Finnish and English, is also issued as a special number of the photographic magazine Musta Taide.
At present Art Noir exhibition has been reserved for display by the
following museums and venues:
- Gallen-Kallela Museum, Espoo, Finland 18.8.-15.10.1995
- Victor Barsokevitsch Centre, Kuopio, Finland 3.11.-3.12.1995
- Oulu Art Museum, Oulu, Finland 13.1.-18.2.1996
- Munch Museum, Oslo, Norway 24.3.-26.5.1996