Phal
The Phalaenopsis orchid's enticing secrets are revealed in beautifully sensual shapes and colors. Looking at the images, you might imagine yourself a pollinating insect approaching the flower's most intimate parts. But once the petals have exercised the powers of attraction, they turn to protect the vital organs. Phal is a series of fine art photographic prints by Danish photographer Bent Nielsen. A ten year long fascination and much luck at growing the Phalaenopsis species of orchids has resulted in this present work. By the employment of special technique in which a large magnifying glass is carefully hand-held in front of the camera, the photographer has travelled into the most stimulating parts of the flower. All images are created in-camera, no subsequent manipulation is performed. The Phal series consists of ten images in a Limited Edition with an issue of only five prints per image. The prints are large, measuring 120 x 120 cm (48" x 48") and benefit from being displayed several next to each other. Only the finest archival materials are used throughout the production process.
The Phal series is on display at the nenowned galleriV58 in Aarhus, Denmark. Web: www.v58.dk. Tel. (+45) 86 259 100.
The Details. By taking the best from the Digital Darkroom and combining it with well proven techniques, color prints are now exhibited and sold as true, lasting artwork. The following is a description of how the artist has chosen to produce and display his Phal series: The print is a digital C-type, Kodak Professional Ultra Endura, a well established silver-halide technology with an indoor color stability well above one hundred years. The paper is exposed in a Lambda printer by means of red, green and blue lasers merged into one single beam, producing an image of absolutely no optical distortion. The exposed paper is immediately wet-processed in RA-4 chemistry, an acknowledged method used in traditional analogue print production. Final step is a fixation bath to arrest the papers sensitivity to light. The image is now stored in the developed and fixed emulsion in the middle of the paper, where base and top barriers protect against mechanical and airborne threats. This differs significantly from the ink print process where the image is sprayed on top of the paper. The print is mounted onto a Dibond sandwich plate: a super stable double aluminum plate with a core of inert polyethylene. The mounted print is framed without matte, yet kept a safe 2.5cm (1") from the glass by a thin, not visible moulding. All materials are tested to withstand shifts in temperature and moisture. To obtain maximum stability you should treat this print with all the care and respect that fine art deserves. Protect the image against strong ultraviolet light, e.g. direct sunlight and your artwork will be appreciated for generations.
The Phal series is on display at the nenowned galleriV58 in Aarhus, Denmark. Web: www.v58.dk. Tel. (+45) 86 259 100.