by Soren Solkaer (Photographer), Ib Michael (Foreword by)
Hypnotic visions of starling migration patterns across Europe
With his project Black Sun, Danish photographer S ren Solk r (born 1969) captures the large murmurations of starlings that take place by the Wadden Sea near his native home of southern Denmark. Following their routes has led him on years-long journeys to Italy, the Netherlands, England and Catalonia. Inspired by classical landscape painting, calligraphy and Japanese woodcuts, Solk r presents a series of graphic images featuring landscape and great flocks of starlings, performing an unrivaled display of collaboration and performance skills. These mesmerizing murmurations create a strong visual expression, like an ink drawing or a calligraphic brushstroke asserting itself against the sky. The first edition of Black Sun received global acclaim with features in National Geographic, the Observer and the New York Times. Although Solk r is best known for his portraits of celebrities such as Bjk, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Patti Smith and others, these fascinating photographs--packaged in a sumptuous stamped cloth binding--comprise a compelling part of his oeuvre that leaves the viewer in awe at the wonders of nature.