The National Media Museum Presents In Conversation with Anders Petersen and JH Engstrom + Screening of ‘L’Art et la Maniere’ on Tuesday 22 March 2011.
The photographic work of Anders Petersen and JH Engström deals unflinchingly with experience, memory and the human condition. They established their reputations with two seminal works, Petersen’s Café Lehmitz (1978) and Engstrom’s Trying to Dance (2004).
In 2001, they began From Back Home, a seven-year long collaboration to photograph the central western area of Sweden from which they both came.
Combining the work of two photographers born a generation apart, yet reflecting on their shared identity, From Back Home is a remarkable achievement. It elegantly demonstrates the power of photography to be intimate and personal, while accessible to the viewer. Neither photographer has attempted to make an objective portrayal of their homeland, instead both instinctively explore their memories; responding by photographing friends and family, alongside people and places that connect with their own recollections of growing up.
Join Anders and JH in conversation as they reflect on the journey they have both taken to document the places, people and memories that make up their work and the show.
There will be a book signing following the event. From Back Home will be available to buy from the Museum Shop.
This 26 minute documentary is directed by French director and photographer Luc Quelin. The film is part of a series L’Art et la Manière broadcast on ARTE, the German-French channel. The concept of this series is to show an artist at work and their every day lives. Luc Quelin went to Stockholm to meet Anders Petersen in June 2010 and during 5 days he followed him as he worked on the final preparations for the opening of From Back Home at the Fotografiska museet.
Image: National Media Museum
www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk