»In which I see arctic technology

The photography of Christian Houge, now in his first State-side show, at the Hosfelt Gallery, made a huge impression on me. He captures the hues of snowy landscapes marvellously. He combines the quiet natural beauty of Norway with the stark colours of man-made antennae.

There is an island located between Greenland and the North Pole called Spitsbergen or Svalbard (“the cold land”). The seclusion of the island results in its having the cleanest atmosphere in the world and being one of the best places to do astronomical, meteorological or climate research. Hence, the remote and pristine landscape is marked by installations of technological and scientific equipment.

The photographers who have most excited me all combine specific mechanical or technological elements in their work: O. Winston Link, who photographed steam railways; Edward Burtynsky, who photographs 'infrastructure' and especially strip mines and ship-breaking yards; and Christian Houge, capturing the systems used for searching the skies.