Galerie S:t Petri S:t Petri Kyrkogata 5, Lund 046/14 78 00
Opening Thursday, 19 April 1973, 17:00–20:00 ARNE SCHMITZ Weekdays, 19–26 April, 15:00–20:00 Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, 12:00–17:00
The landscape is not static, nor has it ever been. Natural changes occur constantly, in rhythm with climate shifts and other external influences. However, human interventions in the soil cause transformations to happen faster and with far more profound effects. In Skåne, almost every square meter is marked by human activity, both in the present and in the past. Even if we are aware that major upheavals have taken place since the dawn of history, we perceive today’s exploitation of natural resources as particularly destructive. Advanced technology and a predominantly economic perspective subject the landscape to brutal treatment, both through direct interventions and through subtle, general changes. The need for nature—for our well-being, recreation, and health—is either ignored or neglected in all-too short-sighted planning.
Skåne, with its extraordinarily rich and varied natural environment, is under threat, especially in its western parts, which are almost completely exploited for housing, industry, and communications. The changes are obvious and drastic. The photographs in the exhibition seek to reflect this and do so by partially contrasting the untouched with the disturbed, the beautiful with the ugly, the old with the new. The “before-and-after” dimension can, in some cases, also be illuminating. The images, each in their own way, speak for themselves, but perhaps also pose the question: “What are we really doing to Skåne?”
[JEANSELLEM VIEWER] — 19.04 - 25.04.1973 ARNE SCHMITZ — Categories: press, docs, visual, letters — Keywords: Galerie S:t Petri, Jean Sellem, archive — Category: press — Sydsvenska Dagbladet, April 24, 1973 (handwritten annotation: “SDS 24.4.73”). — What Are We Really Doing with Skåne?Galerie S:t Petri in Lund presents, until April 26, a photographic exhibition entitled Contrasts in the Landscape. The nature photographer and writer Arne Schmitz contrasts, in his photographs, the untouched with the disturbed, the beautiful with the ugly, the old with the new.In the exhibition leaflet it is stated, among other things, that Skåne, with its exceptionally rich and varied natural environment, is under threat—particularly in its western regions—of being completely exploited for housing development, industry, and transportation infrastructure. The changes are described as drastic, and the photographs are intended, among other things, to raise the question: what are we really doing with Skåne?On Wednesday, April 25 at 6 p.m., the exhibitor will give a lecture at the gallery on environmental issues. — — — Category: press — Arbetet, April 19, 1973 (handwritten annotation on the reverse: “Arb. 19.IV.1973”).. Image caption — What are we really doing with Skåne? This is the question raised both by the nature photographers and by the figure shown in this image, which forms part of the exhibition. — Galerie S:t Petri Conveys Natural Contrasts of SkåneLUND — Galerie S:t Petri in Lund is currently presenting a photographic exhibition entitled Contrasts in the Landscape by the Malmö-born nature photographer and writer Arne Schmitz. The exhibition runs until April 26.Arne Schmitz states that Skåne, with its exceptionally rich and varied natural environment, is under threat—particularly in its western regions—of being completely exploited for housing development, industry, and transportation infrastructure. The changes are described as both evident and drastic.The photographs in the exhibition seek to reflect these developments by pairing the untouched with the disturbed, the beautiful with the ugly, and the old with the new.The before-and-after dimension can in some cases also be illuminating. The images aim to speak for themselves, but may also prompt the question: “What are we really doing with Skåne?”Until 1971, Arne Schmitz worked as a secondary-school teacher, but now devotes himself exclusively to nature-related issues in both text and image. He is an active member of several conservation organizations, including the Ornithological Society of Skåne, the Skåne Nature Conservation Society, expert groups, and the Falsterbo Peninsula Nature Conservation Association.Since 1967, he has written a nature column for Sydsvenska Dagbladet, and also serves as editorial secretary for the journal Aktuellt i Fotografi.Arne Schmitz has previously exhibited his work in solo exhibitions at venues including the SDS Hall, Malmö Museum, and the Malmö Exhibition Halls — — — Category: press — Skånska Dagbladet, 18 avril 1973 (annotation manuscrite au verso : « SKD 18.4.73 »). Image caption: Photograph taken by nature photographer Arne Schmitz. — Contrasts in the Landscape Galerie S:t Petri in Lund presents until April 26, 1973 the photographic exhibition “Contrasts in the Landscape” by Malmö-based nature photographer and writer Arne Schmitz. Through his images, Schmitz portrays Skåne with its extraordinarily rich and diverse natural environment, now under threat—particularly in the western regions—due to overexploitation caused by construction, industry, and transportation infrastructure. The changes are described as drastic and often disturbing.Since 1971, Arne Schmitz has worked as a freelance journalist and now devotes himself almost entirely to environmental issues, both through photography and writing. He is an active member of several nature conservation organizations, including the Skåne Ornithological Society and the Falsterbo Nature Conservation Association.On Wednesday, April 25 at 6 p.m., the exhibitor will give a lecture on environmental issues at the gallery. — — — Category: docs — Sydsvenska Dagbladet, 14 May 1973. Column “Naturen och vi”, Arne Schmitz. Excerpt from a newspaper article addressing nature photography, landscape transformation, and human responsibility. — Nature and UsArne SchmitzThe nature photographer acts as a boundary marker and at times as a fighter. New landscapes may appear desirable because of their novelty and comfort, yet they often establish themselves at the expense of what is alive. Forests and open landscapes are increasingly fragmented by technical interventions, while former living environments are reduced to relics. Wild nature, once taken for granted, becomes something that must be consciously sought out—often only on Sundays, during organized excursions. The freedom of the gaze is restricted, and the direct connection to natural processes is lost. This development forces us to ask whether we are replacing a living relationship with nature by the consumption of images and organized experiences. The risk is that deep understanding is replaced by habit and indifference. — — — Category: visual — Arne Schmitz, black-and-white photographic print. Artist’s stamp visible on the front: “Naturfotograferna Arne Schmitz, Malmö”. Date and title not indicated. — — — Category: letters — Typewritten letter with envelope, sent by Arne Schmitz to Jean Sellem, Galerie S:t Petri, Lund. Dated: Malmö, 9 March 1973. — Malmö, 9 March 1973Galerie S:t PetriJean SellemPack 7221 01 LundB.B.*Thank you for the pleasant letter I received when I was in Lund — it arrived in the middle of the day and was on the table when I got home.In every plan I have for the exhibition, which I call “Contrasts in the Landscape,” I try to show different values in the image: on the one hand untouched nature, on the other hand destroyed nature. The images are black and white, 30×40 cm, and are hung in pairs or side by side, with only brief indications.I will be in Lund on 16 March and could come to the gallery for a more detailed discussion around noon, if that suits you.Best regards, Arne Schmitz*Bäste Broder: Dear friend?
