Reading · søren’s photography substack

[Søren Harbel: Louisville]

We have all done it. Even Elliott Erwitt had a go. His book Museum Watching is his usual humorous look at the museum, and those who visit, as seen through his eyes. Museums and galleries offer me a setting, where the viewers of what is on the walls, or resting on the pedestals, are deeply engaged. This allows me to photograph in peace. Nobody cares. Nobody, except me. Just how I like it.

Over the years, I have visited many, many museums and galleries. I was introduced early, having been to most of the major European capitals at an early age with compulsory visits to museums, cathedrals, and other buildings of note. Later, I decided I was grateful. I am not entirely sure how grateful I was as a young child looking at all that canvas and bits of stone. Now, I like to think it was a cultural cocktail, like mother’s milk, which helped shape my later self.

[Søren Harbel: Madrid]

I went to school chasing Art History and ended up doing a deep dive into the history and practice of photography. All this to say, I have spent thousands of hours looking at great works, by great artists. I have great appreciation for those who stand like pillars of salt staring at minute details. Find the dog in the Canaletto painting. Study the objects and symbolism of a momento mori painting - a reminder we are all going to die - including skulls, hour-glasses, decaying fruit, bits of candles, etc. Trying to remember which flowers mean what in a painting; the language of love, passion, longing, loyalty, or betrayal…

[Søren Harbel: Paris]

Photography may have taken over more of my life, and more of my time. Yet, I am equally interested in those who stand deeply engrossed by a painting, or sculpture. I delight in seeing viewers stopped in their tracks by an altarpiece. A finger seemingly pressed into the flesh of Carrera marble. They are in the zone. At least, for a time. I like to think they are channelling the energy from what they see, into their soul. Making it their own. The connection we make with a beautiful painting, photograph, or sculpture, is something to treasure. When it truly resonates, it remains with us for life.

All this speaks to the slowing down that seems to be on everyone’s mind at the moment. It also speaks to really seeing. Really seeing!

[Søren Harbel: Gustave Courbet: The Origin of the World - Paris]

I had intended to write a long post about long lines. The ins and outs of museum going. About the meat rind in front of the Mona Lisa*. The line-ups at the Uffizi Galleries. The exorbitant ticket prices to see a few photographs of Marilyn Monroe at the National Portrait Gallery. But, I won’t, because it is too depressing. Instead, I have selected 12 photographs from the past 20 years of looking at people engrossed in great paintings, photographs, or sculpture.

[Søren Harbel: Paris]

1000 years from now, some other society, or group of aliens, will look at what we did, they will not see the politicians. nor their armies. They will not hear the political rhetoric. No, they will look at our cultural legacy. What we left behind, a lot of which will already be found in museums and galleries.

[Søren Harbel: Copenhagen]

Stop for a minute and contemplate what the future will think of us in 3026. A mere millennium along the road. Some of today’s trees will be around. The land will be around. A few buildings perhaps. Some ruins maybe. It could all be dust and not matter at all. I like to think of our time through the eyes of those who will see it in the future. What is it we really want to show the future? What do we want to leave for others to learn about us?