Øyvind Hjelmen: Moments Reflected

Øyvind Hjelmen: Moments Reflected by Aline SmithsonJuly 15, 2020

©Øyvind Hjelmen

Øyvind Hjelmen has a new book, Moments Reflected, published by Skeleton Key Press. Russell Joslin, former SHOTS editor and now publisher of Skeleton Key Press states, “In his second monograph, Norwegian photographer Øyvind Hjelmen welcomes viewers into his richly poetic and mysterious photographic world: Moments Reflected. Expanding on his portfolio of the same title by including works not previously published or exhibited, the lyrically sequenced and meticulously printed duotone plates presented in this volume are characterized by deep shadows, bursts of penetrating light, and the gauzy aesthetics often associated with analog photographs made using plastic or other low-tech cameras. Yet beyond Hjelmen’s command of craft and masterfully honed aesthetics, his enigmatic photographs maneuver slowly below the surface. It is on this subliminal level that the personal becomes universal and alludes to the human experiences of memory, fear, loss, sexuality, hope, nightmares, and doubt. As the widely celebrated Norwegian novelist Lars Saabye Christensen suggests in his essay that opens the book “. . . doubt is an artistic force. . . . Hjelmen’s viewpoint is never that of one who is absolutely certain, but of one who seeks.” Thusly, Moments Reflected endeavors to reward the intuitive and contemplative viewer/seeker as page-by-page the visually poetic narrative unfolds like a dream.” The book can be purchased here.

Øyvind Hjelmen has worked with photography for over 25 years and specializes in masterfully hand-printed black and white gelatin silver prints, hand bound artist books and portfolios, and large format unique photograms. He holds a BA in Modern Art and Aesthetics from the University of Bergen. His works have been exhibited in 15 countries and are held in a number of public and private collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Moments Reflected is Hjelmen’s fifth book, and is conceived as the second part of Hjelmen’s trilogy, which began with Elsewhere (Kehrer, 2010) and will conclude with Broken Shadow at a later date. He lives and works on the island of Stord, off the west coast of Norway, where he is also co-directs the artist-in-residence program at Halsnøy Kloster, Sunnhordland Museum.

©Øyvind Hjelmen Moments Reflected cover

Curator Laura Serani writes about this project:

In this poetic universe, like in a dream, the past and the present are continuously mixed. Through fog and dim light the traces of other lives occur: memories and familiar objects appear from unknown places, hotel rooms without memories, bodies, objects of desire, that through a closed door brings out new stories over and over again.

Nostalgia, sensuality, abandon, slowness and silence envelop the space and every gesture. Like in dreams sensations are both vague and exaggerated.

Øyvind Hjelmen is the only one who has the key to the intimate diary where this series of images could belong, but he shares – with those who look – precious and fragile visions, rare moments of suspension in the middle of the deafening noise of reality.

©Øyvind Hjelmen, spread from Moments Reflected

Published by Skeleton Key Press
24 x 28 cm (9.4 x 11 in)
Clothbound hardcover, 72 pages, 41 duotone plates
Edited by Øyvind Hjelmen and Russell Joslin
Designed by Kjersti Hjelmen and Russell Joslin
Essay by Lars Saabye Christensen
Text in English and Norwegian
First printing limited to 350 signed and numbered copies