Teenagers are bored stiff in the south of Sweden so young people meet on the outskirts of the villages for car chase mirroring Rebel without a Cause. Big American cars are not involved but old converted Volvos are used that can be driven from the age of fifteen. The cars form a circle in the yard of a disused factory and the boys take turns to do “burnouts,” they burn their tyres in a strange nuptial dance.
They show off, challenge each other and the engines fill the air with petrol fumes. The games sometimes continue and the boys and girls all sleep together in their cars… Martin Bogren met and then followed these young angel-faced Swedes. He shared their idleness and kinship. A half frame camera producing grainy black and white prints is the only requirement to produce the unique style of this little known photographer.
Exhibition
Martin Bogren: Daybreakers
Festival Image Singulières
8 – 26 May, 2013
Maison de l’Image Documentaire
Sète
France
Book
Martin Bogren: Tractor Boys
Aman Iman Publishing
19 x 25 cm, 60 pages
Limited edition. 50 copies with signed and numbered print.
