An exciting new project, commissioned by the Reading Foundation for Art, by internationally celebrated photographer and film maker Matt Hulse was recently revealed at an event hosted by Haslams Estate Agents in Reading.
Since early 2021 Reading-based artist and film maker Matt Hulse has produced eyecatching projects that have been inspired by historic links between Reading and the town’s German partner city Düsseldorf. 'BRIDGES / BRÜCKEN' is Hulse’s most recent project within this framework. It combines striking night time photographic studies of
bridges and bridge structures captured over a two-year period in both Reading and Düsseldorf, exploring architectural form and metaphors of connection.
The outcome of the commission evolved in to a collection of twelve photographs, mounted as sets of six entitled 'Relationship 1' and 'Relationship 2', each offering their own unique aesthetic and approach.
The artist, Matt Hulse, speaking at the event hosted at Haslams Estate Agents
The event, hosted by Haslams, was attended by the Mayor of Reading, Tony Page, Reading Foundation Trustees and Reading Museum staff as well as many local supporters. Introducing the event, Executive Chairman of Haslams and RFA Trustee, Steve Woodford introduced Matt Hulse and gave a brief overview of the many accolades which Hulse has achieved during his career, including three nominations for the prestigious Jarman Award and Margaret Tait Awards. In 2019 Hulse was one of ten artists commissioned to make a short film for Margaret Tait 100, celebrating the centenary of Orcadian filmmaker and in 2017 he was the overall winner of Germany’s prestigious Felix Schoeller Photo Award. His films have been celebrated at the London Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Rotterdam's International Film Festival.
Steve Woodford welcomed Matt Hulse to the floor where he gave a brief introduction to the history of the project and his initial proposal which highlighted his strong links with Reading.
"From the window of a small bedroom I shared with my brother and sister on Howard Street in Reading the late 1970’s I would gaze across the IDR towards the Hexagon, imagining that the magnificently tall and elegant motorway lights were perhaps spaceships or UFO’s."
"We moved away from Reading in the early 80’s. Later I returned to study Art at the University, and then moved again: a 30 yearlong journey that took me far and wide. After a difficult time in London during Lockdown, in September 2021 I returned once again to Reading - to the security of a place that speaks to me as home. As winter approached, under cover of darkness, I set forth on nocturnal journeys with my camera phone."
"Recalling the imagination of that 10-year old boy, I aimed to capture the sense of magic and beauty that I firmly believe exists in our ‘much-maligned’ town."
"During this period, I also made a trip to Reading’s original twin city, Düsseldorf, in order to visit my penpal and artistic collaborator Julia Zinnbauer. With a shared love of post-war architecture that both Reading and Düsseldorf exhibit, we ventured forth on a nocturnal photography adventure. It struck me that the similarities between the urban landscapes of the twins could be explored in a collection of photos from both locations, displayed together in a single exhibition, creating a third imaginary combined ‘space’ or ‘place’."
In addition to presenting the new photographic commission 'BRIDGES / BRÜCKEN', Hulse introduced the audience to an ongoing project THE BRICK EXCHANGE initiated in collaboration with Düsseldorf artist Julia Zinnbauer during a joint artists residency at Jelly in Reading. Bricks form an important shared artistic and cultural aspect of the twinned cities, drawing connections between Reading’s history as a manufacturer of bricks, and renowned Dusseldorf artist Joseph Beuys’ work ‘Brick for FIU’ (1983), an edition of 200 signed bricks.
At the close of the joint residency, the then Mayor of Reading, Cllr David Stevens, was invited to sign a brick, thus making the brick art, and the Mayor an artist. Hulse later transported the brick by hand to a reception at the Düsseldorf Rathaus that marked the 75th anniversary of the city twinning. A random brick was found in Düsseldorf and presented to Oberbürgermeister Stephan Keller. He signed the brick accordingly and the two bricks were put on display at the Rathaus.
As part of the celebration of Reading Foundation for Art's new commission 'BRIDGES / BRÜCKEN', Reading's current mayor Tony Page was offered the marker pen and a brick to continue this tradition, which he duly signed to much applause.
Left: The signed brick is on view at Haslams in Reading.
The commission was supported by the Reading Foundation for Art, with thanks to Haslams for exhibiting the work and hosting the launch event. To learn more about Matt Hulse's work, follow him on instagram @matthulsephotography
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