Shoot Gallery is a prominent private gallery in Oslo dedicated to Fine Art Photography, launched in 2013. They have ambitions to present the best of Norwegian Fine Art Photography with International ambitions.
Today we came to Helene`s new space in Barcode. We are drawn in by her new fancy sliding doors. The gallery has enough meters now for a classic-sized wall horizon, where the exorcism of fine art photography appears.
Helene Gulaker Hansen has a Master of Science in International Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Martins London; she has worked with fine art photography since 2010.
DT 500 MAG: – What is the difference between a curator/ gallerist and other more standard professions like a lawyer, economist, or politician?
HELENE: – The facts are the same, like the importance of education, knowledge, training and a deep understanding of the industry.
“The difference might be the importance of trusting and respecting my emotional reactions to connect with the artwork and the clients.”
DT 500 MAG: – There is quite annoying emotion of jealousy, the emotion of unconscious rivalry or maybe the underdeveloped feeling of competition. As one of the most progressive gallerists in Norway, who is your competitor or which gallery are you white jealous of or even admire?
HELENE: – Anyone having the pleasure of working with the works of Francesca Woodman…
Francesca Woodman was an American photographer known for her black-and-white self-portraits. Despite her short career, which ended with her suicide at the age of 22 on January 19, 1981, in New York. Woodman produced over 800 untitled prints during her life. Influenced by Conceptualism and often featuring recurring symbolic motifs such as birds, mirrors, and skulls, Woodman’s work is often compared to Surrealists such as Hans Bellmer and Man Ray. On her frequent use of herself as a model, she observed:
“It’s a matter of convenience—I’m always available.”
Though Francesca Woodman had few opportunities to show work during her life… Woodman has been the subject of numerous posthumous solo exhibitions, including at the Museum of Modern Art San Francisco, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Foundation Cartier, among others.
DT 500 MAG: – What makes a gallery honourable?
HELENE: – Great art. But then, all gallerists know putting great skill on the wall is the natural part of running a gallery, and it is of central importance the gallery is easy to enter whether you are a part of the art crowd or a first-time visitor.
” Tate Modern mounted sliding doors to minimize the resistance to entering. Sliding doors are a good metaphor; ease and invite people in.”
DT 500 MAG: – What do you think other gallerists can envy you in your Shoot Gallery concept?
HELENE: – Curated exhibitions in combination with a market section.
” The concepts are inviting people to experience a high number of artworks in one place.”
With the decision to move from Parkveien to Barcode, Helene also has provoked an interest in the company Snøhetta, the architects who build the Norwegian Opera house. They have also participated in completing the new concept of the Shoot Gallery. It is quite an exciting detail, isn’t it? Also, the Barcode developers have actually ambitious plans for this area. There are 10,000 people already working in the trendy Barcode area today. How many of them are interested in fine art photography, and who will become the Shoot Gallery’s audience? Helene meets the challenge of getting decent art lovers to discover new scenes.
DT 500 MAG: – It was the inauguration of a new grand opening of Shoot Gallery in a new location at Barcode; why did you decide to move here?
HELENE: – Barcode is the new arts centre in Oslo.
” Together with Kunsthall Oslo and Munch Museet in motion, we have an exhibition programme attracting a highly varied and broad art crowd to this area. And a bit further down the road, the Munch Museum and main Library, together with the Opera House, all will form a rare and powerful centre for the arts. Other galleries will follow soon too.
There is a Projekgalleriet just around the corner beside the Shoot Gallery; they run a Munch Museum project in motion in collaboration with Art Hall Oslo. They are organizing and curating exhibitions based on the artwork from Stenersen Collection. The project Munch Museum in action shall hold 12 shows before the opening of the Munch Museum in 2020; it will be both group and solo exhibitions.
DT 500 MAG: – What was your opening repertoire?
DT 500 MAG: – How do you choose what is fine art or not in the photographic arena?
HELENE: – Hard to say in a few words. Instead, I will mention the following:
“the importance of working with artists who are fully dedicated to the arts. Full-time. “
DT 500 MAG: – Which personal characteristics of yours make you innovative?
HELENE: –
“To state how our finest Norwegian Artist is on the same level as our finest international artists. They deserve the global brand “Norwegian Photography. “
DT 500 MAG: – Helene, let’s imagine some drama, all the national galleries and museums in the world are on fire; which single art piece would you choose to save?
HELENE: –
“Per Maning, Oscar, large format analogue print. Pure Magic.”
Fine artist Per Maning is focused on the digital mediums of photography and video. The reoccurring themes in his works are the relations between humans and nature, focusing on the biological and psychological similarities that form a bond between humans and other species. In 1988, Maning patiently portrayed a group of seals in aquariums, toned black and white photographs representing Norway at the Venice Biennale in 1995. “Oscar” the seal is one picture from this series.
DT 500 MAG: – What was the last unforgettable impression you have been experiencing by photography or any other kind of fine art?
HELENE: – Eric Antoine’s wet collodion glass plates.
” We aim to combine Norwegian art photographer with international manners. We are also committed to a contribution of highlighting Norwegian artists abroad and are delighted that senior advisor Therese Aalberg Foreign Affairs, was opening the exhibition. “
DT 500 MAG: – You have grown daughters. How do you cultivate creativity in them?
HELENE: – My daughters are used to coming with me to art events as a natural part of our lives. For the joy of it.
” Joy is important.”
DT 500 MAG: – Helene, lovely meeting you again. Much appreciated.
Talk by Arthur Sopin
Photography by Andreas Roed
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