The internationally acclaimed Danish photographer Søren Solkær published his long-awaited, new book PASSAGE on November 22nd, 2021. The book comprises a series of photographs that capture some of the photographer’s most memorable moments of his extensive flight journeys, containing 124 images taken between 2001 and 2016.
As a consequence of the photographer’s largely nomadic life, airports and aeroplane interiors have been a familiar backdrop to Søren’s career. The photographer has consistently booked the seats in front of or behind the aeroplane wing, and photographing the wing and turbine became a fixed ritual and meditative practice associated with travel life. The book often depicts semi-abstract images of ice crystals, rainbows, massive cloud formations, metallic structures, or the sea of light seen on nighttime flyovers of the world’s great metropolises. He has also incorporated his fascination with aircraft designs, from the fountains, the graphic markings on the runways to the aerodynamic beauty that marks the wings. Spending countless hours on these 380-tonne aeroplanes above the clouds, seemingly defying gravity, photographing out the window became a ritual, meditation, and self-professed obsession for the photographer.
“I have always been drawn to the aerodynamic beauty of the wing, the metallic shine of the aerospace-grade aluminium, and the aeroplane design itself. This subsequently informed my decision to always compose my photographs around the airplane wing, turbine or propeller” reflects Solkær.
We highly recommend this book for jet-setters and art lovers alike. Many people can relate to Søren Solkær – “I have always felt a sense of wonder when cruising in thin air, situated inside a long tube only separated by the stratosphere by 3-4 millimetres of the aircraft skin. Just two thin layers of skin separating the cold air and high pressure on the outside from the warm blood inside my own skin. This sensation leaves me humble, vulnerable and alert.”
PASSAGE is Søren Solkær’s eighth photographic art book publication. It’s a hardcover, clothbound with embossed silver foil print designed by Nicolai Bejder studio. The price is around Price 499 kr./€67, and can be found at your bookstore. Proceeds from the PASSAGE book will be used to offset the 402.000 km covered between the destinations that provided the scenes for the photographs in this book. This will result in the planting of approximately 2 acres of trees.
About Søren Solkær
Søren Solkær is a Danish photographer born in 1969. After a degree in Nordic Literature, he graduated from FAMU the Photography and Film Academy in Prague in 1995. He is known for his iconic portraits of artists such as Björk, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Patti Smith, Pharrell Williams, Samuel L. Jackson, and David Lynch.
His previous book “Black Sun”, featuring photographs of starling murmurations, was released in 2020 and has become a bestseller in the world of fine art books and a multiple award winner.
Søren Solkær’s photography is largely characterised by its position between soul, intimacy and visual edge. His primary inspiration comes from film and painting. His portraits are often regarded as cinematic in tone with a distinctive colour palette. His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries globally and has been acquired by numerous public and private collections.