CASPER DAM
// Casper lives in Denmark´s second largest city, Aarhus. His photography started with his university job in communications some years ago. Now, he enjoys pursuing a colourful ’street’ aesthetic in almost any imagery and aspires mostly to a lifestyle influenced by everyday photography. Casper shared a set of photos from the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum.
Casper´s initially work-induced photographic spark turned into a big obsession with photography. Photography for him is a way of seeing adventure in any place and never getting bored. He gradually moved from a preference for minimalist black and white into colour photography. He is especially interested in multiple layers and colour luminance.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
Thomas Merton
What draws you to the arts?
“In a year, Aarhus has a lot of grey and overcast days, and an Art Museum is really a welcome game-changer when I need a beak or want to see something new in the everyday. It is slightly embarrassing, but admittedly I have seen exhibitions multiple times without as much as reading the title. This is at the heart of what art is for me: Raw sensory input, a momentary decompression of the world by presenting me with multiple perspectives at the same time.”
What impresses you most about the art installations at ARoS?
“These huge art installations have a certain “Night at the Museum” feel to them, don’t they? You walk around witnessing almost a different world coming to life, outside of the outside world – although all during the open hours. Especially the drastic shifts in light and vibrant gloomy colours elicit this feeling of being lost in a new place; the joy of playing a game or exploring a travel destination. The goal of these photographs has not been to interpret the art pieces, but rather to photograph this otherworldly experience and the visitors, immersing themselves in it, trying to make sense of it.”
The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum in Denmark is a ten storey 270.000 square metre art space, and one of the largest art museums in Northern Europe. It features both contemporary art installations and classic fine art by national and international artists. It is a museum that, by its own account, wants to appeal to both the heart and the brain. Looking at art is a way of attaining mental fitness, say the curators. Originally founded by Aarhus citizens in 1859 as Aarhus Kunstmuseum it owns Danish artworks spanning 300 years, in addition to a large collection of modern art. Visitors can immerse themselves in art installations by famous installation artists, such as Olafur Eliasson, James Turrell, Bill Viola and others.
A visit to this important art museum is truly an experience for all the senses.
Click on the photos to see the full image.
All photos © CASPER DAM
To see more of his photography visit Casper´s Instagram page.
SPECTACULUM MAGAZINE 