HOWALT, Nicolai - Light Break

Background information

"In the early nineteenth century, Doctor Niels R. Finsen discovered that invisible light rays, at the periphery of the electromagnetic spectrum, had the property to heal. It is these same rays Nicolai HOWALT is interested in, now taking advantage of the sunlight's ability to blacken photographic emulsion. (...)

Content

In this artist's book, 'Light Break', unfolds Danish visual artist Nicolai HOWALT's exploration of scientist and physician Niels R. Finsen's original light-therapeutic methods, in spectacular full colour direct photography of invisible light. (...) Nicolai HOWALT's fascination of Finsen's experiments and apparatus is based on the obvious similarities between the basic elements of photography and Finsen's medical phototherapy. In both cases, light rays are passed through specially crafted lenses and filters onto photosensitive material. Nicolai HOWALT has a fascination of the power of the sun, of light as both subject and substance and fundamental condition for all life. Two articles, one by Dr. Tania Woloshyn (UK) and the other by Ion Meyer, Medical Museion in Copenhagen, present HOWALT's 'Light Break' project to a wider audience, placing HOWALT's groundbreaking work in the context of both Medical and Art History." (publisher's note, © Fabrik Books, 2015)
Danish poet Morten (b. 1964) contributes with three poems, published here for the first time.

About the photographer, Nicolai HOWALT (b. 1970 in Copenhagen)

Photo books by Nicolai HOWALT