Inuuteq Storch, Rise of the Sunken Sun (installation view). The Danish Pavilion, Biennale Arte, 2024. Photo: Ugo Carmeni.

Press Release, April 2024

**The Danish Pavilion unveils Inuuteq Storch’s Rise of the Sunken Sun, an installation of photographic works highlighting Greenlandic life and engaging in a decolonial process.**

The Danish Pavilion is proud to present the photography exhibition Rise of the Sunken Sun by the artist Inuuteq Storch at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. This exhibition marks the Danish Pavilion’s first presentation of an artist from the North Atlantic region of the Danish Realm and the inaugural solo photography exhibition for the Pavilion. Aligned with the Biennale Arte 2024 theme, Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere, Storch’s Rise of the Sunken Sun delves into the concept of engaging in a decolonial process, emphasising the pursuit of visibility, with a sensitive awareness of the complexities within national, cultural, and personal identities. The exhibition invites viewers into the heart of Greenlandic life, merging historical and contemporary perspectives through six thematic photography series. The presentation unfolds against the backdrop of Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland's native name, offering a nuanced narrative that transcends conventional representations of Greenland.

Rise of the Sunken Sun presents an extensive selection of works, in new, site-specific formats, re-contextualising historical and contemporary works through juxtaposition. Complemented by musical compositions and soundscapes, the exhibition also includes a sculptural element resembling a red, glowing halved disk, which functions as a large mirror. The disk symbolises the Arctic sunset over the white, icy landscape, with allusions to the Greenlandic flag, traditional Inuit beliefs, and the exhibition title.

In the exhibition, Storch corrects and extends the prevailing vision of Greenland, a self-governing, autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. His work examines the expansiveness of Greenlandic identity, seamlessly merging historical and family photographs with contemporary snapshots of everyday life. In the artist’s own words, the essence of his project for the biennale is to “to tell the Greenlanders’ visual history, not seen through the visitors’ eyes, but through the Greenlanders’ own.”

Inuuteq Storch, From the series Keepers of the Ocean, 2019.

Inuuteq Storch, Rise of the Sunken Sun (installation view). The Danish Pavilion, 2024. Photo: Matteo de Mayda. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia.

Inuuteq Storch, From the series At Home We Belong, 2010-15.

From DANMARK to Kalaallit Nunaat
Visitors will step into Kalaallit Nunaat, as Rise of the Sunken Sun centres on conveying personal stories on one’s own terms. In line with this ethos, Storch has mounted a transparent sign on top of the pavilion's DANMARK sign, bearing the words, "Kalaallit Nunaat", which translates to “Greenland” and literally means “land of the people” in Greenlandic. This subtle act skilfully articulates the intertwined bonds between the two countries, underscoring Storch’s commitment to showcase and celebrate Greenland through a visual narrative of daily life.

Six Thematic Photography Series
Storch’s presentation consists of hundreds of photographs taken on various cameras. Each series uniquely tells a story about Greenlandic life and identity, both historically and today. Works include Storch's raw, intimate, and poetic photographs of his life in his hometown of Sisimiut; images from his family’s photo archives; as well as a digitised compilation of historical photographs by John Møller, the first professional Greenlandic photographer. The Danish Pavilion thus transforms into a kaleidoscope, offering an ever-changing visual narrative that remains steadfastly rooted in the Greenlandic experience, life, and identity. The body of work is formed from six different thematic photographic series, including:

Sunsets of Forgotten Moments – a slideshow composed of a vast archive of amateur photographs from Storch’s own family, spanning over six decades from the 1940s to the 2000s. Intimate, personal motives are exposed, softly underlining the importance of vernacular photography in constructing a more nuanced history.

Mirrored – a digitised compilation of historic photographs by John Møller (1867-1935), the first professional Greenlandic photographer. Taken between the late 1880s and the early 1930s, the images provide a unique perspective on Greenland during its time as a Danish colony. Storch’s selection focus on the Danish administrators, explorers, priests and mine workers in Greenland.

Keepers of the Ocean – taken in 2019, is installed here alongside the historic series, Mirrored. The series captures a playful and poetic essence through physical, raw, snapshot-style photographs. These images intimately approach Storch’s friends and network, predominantly taken in his hometown of Sisimiut, Greenland's second largest city, with approximately 5,000 inhabitants.

At Home We Belong – Storch’s earliest work, first shown in 2018, is installed as a frieze of light boxes. The black-and-white series comprises 22 tableaux of contemporary Greenlandic scenes and serves as an empowering statement, demanding recognition for Greenlanders who are often stereotyped by the rest of the world.

Soon Will Summer be Over – Storch's most recent project was photographed in Qaanaaq during the summer of 2023 in North Greenland, one of the last places to be colonised. The series reveals colonial traces in home interiors, and magnificent outdoor photographs which bear witness to the struggles to maintain hunting and fishing traditions in a time when nature and climate are changing.

Necromancer – Storch’s most solemn series, was taken during COVID-19 pandemic. It transmits an otherworldly atmosphere, reflecting his personal connection to nature and the spiritual, combining the two in a powerful narrative.

Additionally, in the Pavilion’s courtyard, the artist invites visitors to share his view of Sisimiut bay as seen from his house through a large panoramic view. This installation features hammocks for visitors to sit in.

Artist and Curator Statements
Inuuteq Storch says: “The exhibition is extremely personal to me. I invite people to enter my home; meet my friends, my own family, myself, our common history, and roots. But it also becomes something more than personal, when I include them in my storytelling about Greenlanders on a broader scale. The story I want to tell is open-ended, but It's about Greenlanders, about belonging, and the complexities of personal and national identities.”

Louise Wolthers says: "Through his dynamic approach to photography, Inuuteq Storch provides multiple gateways into Kalaallit Nunaat/Greenland, prompting an awareness of how we see. The exhibition's use of mirroring enhances this experience. Storch doesn't fix the meaning of photographs; instead, he empowers viewers to think, dream, and explore the potential histories within the images. This process allows for the unfolding of decolonial narratives.”

Publication
In conjunction with the exhibition, a new photo book titled Inuuteq Storch: Rise of the Sunken Sun, published by Strandberg Publishing is available for purchase. It includes an introduction by Louise Wolthers, an essay by Heather Igloliorte and representations of all the works in the exhibition.

Traveling Exhibition
Following the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, Rise of the Sunken Sun, will travel and show at several international institutions including the Hasselblad Centre.

Inuuteq Storch (b. 1989), is a Greenlandic photographer with a deep connection to his homeland. Born, raised, and currently residing in Sisimiut, Greenland, he has expanded his artistic reach through extensive travel for international exhibitions. A graduate of the International Centre of Photography in New York and the Fatamorgana School of Photography in Copenhagen, Storch skilfully explores his Greenlandic identity through a compelling blend of personal and archival photography.

Beyond his individual artistic pursuits, Storch harbours a visionary goal – to establish a Greenlandic museum of photography. He underscores the significance of preserving and showcasing the visual heritage of Greenland as a vital part of cultural preservation. His work, widely exhibited on the international stage, includes notable photobooks that have left a lasting impact. Among these are Porcelain Souls (2018), Flesh (2019), John Møller – Mirrored, Portraits of Good Hope (2021), and Keepers of the Ocean (2022). Through his lens, Storch continues to contribute significantly to the global conversation on identity, heritage, and the power of visual storytelling.

Louise Wolthers, holding a PhD in Art History from the University of Copenhagen, stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of photography. Currently serving as the Head of Research and Curator at The Hasselblad Foundation, Wolthers brings her expertise to the forefront in the specialised field of photography. Known for her comprehensive knowledge and commitment to the medium, she actively leads collaborative projects that delve into the multifaceted aspects of photography.

Wolthers is not only a prominent figure in the academic sphere but also a prolific author. Her body of work includes numerous publications that contribute significantly to the discourse surrounding photography. Currently, she is immersed in a compelling project titled Photography and the Glitch, set to culminate in an exhibition and publication in 2025. With her rich academic background, extensive curatorial experience, and ongoing commitment to advancing the understanding of photography, Louise Wolthers stands as a key influencer in shaping the discourse around this dynamic and evolving art form.

Exhibition period: 20 April - 24 November, 2024.
More info: Kunst.dk

Rise of the Sunken Sun is commissioned and funded by Danish Arts Foundation, and realised with generous support from New Carlsberg Foundation, Eqqumiitsuliornermut Aningaasaateqarfik (Greenlandic Arts Foundation) and Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces. Kvadrat has contributed to the installation Rise of the Sunken Sun by providing a custom-made textile design.

INUUTEQ STORCH "RISE OF THE SUNKEN SUN" 📷

The Danish Pavilion unveils Inuuteq Storch’s Rise of the Sunken Sun, an installation of photographic works highlighting Greenlandic life and engaging in a decolonial process.

**The Danish Pavilion unveils Inuuteq Storch’s Rise of the Sunken Sun, an installation of photographic works highlighting Greenlandic life and engaging in a decolonial process.**