Atelieri O. Haapala (between 2008 and 2016) was a Neo-Victorian photographic art project by collaborating Finnish Artists Saara Salmi and Marco Melander
Studio Bizio in Edinburgh will be showing work from this project in January/February and also the book that was produced from it in the studio. Both artists will also be giving a talk on their work on the evening of the 12th of January.
Ten years ago, Saara Salmi and Marco Melander coincidentally invented a new Victorian portrait style that has become incredibly popular
SEN was supposed to be one time only. Ten years ago, an event was held in Helsinki for guests dressed in Victorian clothing. Then Marco Melander and Sarah Salmi got the idea. They took the camera and the lights and went on to describe the festivities of the late 19th century.
“Saara was then digitizing archive images in the National Archives’ archive,” says Marco Melander. The old portraits recorded at Salmi’s work had impressed the couple.
“They had some sensitivity, dignity, and devotion that is not seen in contemporary portraits.”
Many of those who wore Victorian style wanted to be photographed.
Previously, Melander had photographed for Iittala and Arabia (Finnish design brands).
“We call them new Victorian portraits. We take inspiration from the past and bring our own twist and fantasy, ”Saara Salmi says.
Saara and Marco have now portrayed about 7,000 couples. The studio has tattooed women, pierced men, burlesque artists, spearheaders, vintage enthusiasts and entire families. Many have come up with their own idea and in their own clothes.
Photos have also been shown in exhibitions, and now the book: Atelieri O. Haapala and its Wonderful World is dazzling.
Artist talk Saturday 12th January: 7pm
Atelieri O. Haapala
11th January – 23rd February
Studio Bizio
20a Raeburn Place
Edinburgh
EH4 1HN
