"Libraries are the memory of mankind, which collects and pass on knowledge." The words are Bruno Kjærs. A painter and librarian who has a background as a lecturer at the Royal School of Library. Bruno Kjær is fascinated by the universe of books. Photographer Niels Fabæk is drawn by the nature, which he never gets enough of being in or photographing.
In 2006 their different passions grow into a common photo project. They drag white painted books and an old steel bookshelf into the countryside, mainly in Northern Jutland.
"We wanted to use the bookcase as a foreign element to make people to reflect on the nature or rather on their experience of nature:" What determines that a landscape is beautiful?" The bookcase always shoots into the viewing experience and we are forced to ask ourselves why it is there and what it represents, "says Bruno Kjær. From the beginning Bruno Kjær and Niels Fabæk laid down some rules for the project; they must take pictures of all seasons, use every minute of the day and make variation. They choose for instance to place the shelf in a landfill.
"The bookshelf is a symbol of order and knowledge which we then put up against an unstructured and chaotic world that is manmade. Shelves do not belong in a landfill, and it can create irritation, but also reflection," says Bruno Kjær.
In December 2008 the photographer Niels Fabæk takes the last photos in Rørdal. The bookshelf is set on fire.
"It was mentally a good way to finish such a long project. With the book-burning we knew that it was finally over and we had said goodbye to the shelf, "said Bruno Kjær.
In connection with the exhibition KUNSTEN (Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg) has published the book "Bookshelf in the landscape." The exhibition runs from 10 October 2009 – 28 February 2010.
For further information: www.kunsten.dk
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