Pubblicato da Kehrer Verlag, il libro di fotografie Erik Östensson vi introduce ai lavori del premiato fotografo svedese, noto per le sue opere surreali. Allo stesso tempo semplici, poetiche e fantasiose, nelle fotografie di Östensson si intrecciano persone, oggetti e paesaggi in maniere immaginarie. Il libro minimalista e senza testi permette alla fotografia di parlare per sé e Östensson incoraggia lo spettatore ad avvicinarsi alle foto con lo stupore di un bambino.

“To catch the viewers’ attention despite the fact that my photos are depicting everyday objects, I have photographed them in new contexts and from new angels. Hopefully past notions are replaced and the meaning of familiar objects get an opportunity to expand. In this way a new contact can be created between the objects and the viewer.

The photographs are made with an analog large-format camera. I use negatives that are 4x5 inches in size (10x13 cm). This type of camera makes the photographic process time consuming. First, I measure the light with the handheld light meter. I then crawl in behind the black cloth to compose and focus with a magnifier against the glass plate showing the upside-down image. Often, I only make one or two exposures. I see the result when the negatives have been developed, which often happens months after they have been exposed. This old technique has helped me to stop and look carefully.”