Melancholy shots of Dublin in the ‘90s

In the shadows — After 25 years, Krass Clement’s black and white portraits of the Irish capital are being compiled for a new photo book.

In 1991, over the course of three short visits, Krass Clement shot the streets of Dublin. The Danish photographer was on a three-month residency at Ireland’s Tyrone Gurhie Centre in Annaghmakerrig, and felt compelled to capture the capital – drawn to its melancholy corners and shadowy streets.

His striking black and white portraits have now been compiled, over a quarter of a century later, into a new photo book called Dublin. Published by RRB, it contains all the images taken from Clement’s time in the city. “These photographs appear to show a city not rooted in the late 20th century, but rather a Dublin out of time, monochromatic in both rain and sun,” reads the book’s official summary. “A visual stream of consciousness on a stroll through the city, Clement’s work marries the traditions of Scandinavian melancholy and the ‘flaneur’ tradition from the Parisian school.”

Clement is most known for his 1996 photo book, Drum, which was taken over the course of an evening in a local pub in Drum, Ireland. The photographer allegedly used just over three rolls of film for the acclaimed project, as well as “five pints of Guinness.” It is seen as one of the most important contributions to the contemporary Danish photo world.

The release of Dublin will coincide with an exhibition of work by Krass Clement at city’s Gallery of Photography from 14 November 2017 – 14 January 2018.

Dublin, 1991 © Krass. Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass. Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin, 1991 © Krass Clement courtesy RRB PhotoBooks

Dublin by Krass Clement is published by RRB PhotoBooks on 30 November 2017.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


Ad

Latest on Huck

Music

In the ’60s and ’70s, Greenwich Village was the musical heart of New York

Talkin’ Greenwich Village — Author David Browne’s new book takes readers into the neighbourhood’s creative heyday, where a generation of artists and poets including Bob Dylan, Billie Holliday and Dave Van Ronk cut their teeth.

Written by: Cyna Mirzai

Activism

How Labour Activism changed the landscape of post-war USA

American Job — A new exhibition revisits over 70 years of working class solidarity and struggle, its radical legacy, and the central role of photography throughout.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Analogue Appreciation

Analogue Appreciation: Emma-Jean Thackray

Weirdo — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, multi-instrumentalist and Brownswood affiliate Emma-Jean Thackray.

Written by: Emma-Jean Thackray

Culture

Meet the shop cats of Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan district

Feline good — Traditionally adopted to keep away rats from expensive produce, the feline guardians have become part of the central neighbourhood’s fabric. Erica’s online series captures the local celebrities.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Activism

How trans rights activism and sex workers’ solidarity emerged in the ’70s and ’80s

Shoulder to Shoulder — In this extract from writer Jake Hall’s new book, which deep dives into the history of queer activism and coalition, they explore how anti-TERF and anti-SWERF campaigning developed from the same cloth.

Written by: Jake Hall

Culture

A behind the scenes look at the atomic wedgie community

Stretched out — Benjamin Fredrickson’s new project and photobook ‘Wedgies’ queers a time-old bullying act by exploring its erotic, extreme potential.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to the new Huck Newsletter to get a personal take on the state of media and pop culture in your inbox every month from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck.

Please wait...