ANALOGUE PHOTOGRAPHY AND WRITTEN WORD
HOW ENVIRONMENT CONTROLS IDENTITY
FISHERMEN AND THE SEA
GERI SALTING LUCA BRECKWOLDT DESPINA NICOLAOU
CONCEPT BUILDING
SHOOTING IN THE WESTFJORDS
The photographs taken involved original Fishermen from the Icelandic Westfjords, historical fishing gear from a private collection and ropes from the fishermen's boats.
To create our documentary piece, we interviewed them and then wrote the article.
INTRO OF ARTICLE
Sprawled within the Westfjords, nestled in breathtaking nature is the tranquil coastal village of Patreksfjörður. A rather intimate place of approximately seven hundred residents, sublime landscapes and palpable rawness. Known predominantly as a fishing town, Patreksfjörður in the early 20th century was considered a pioneering force for Iceland’s fishing industry. The town has long been entangled with this intrinsic part of their heritage, shaping its identity since the 1700s. Being situated between the mountains and the sea, sole farming wasn’t enough to live off of and so fishing began out of neces- sity for food but ended up becoming their daily toil.
Iceland ́s first inhabitants introduced a seafaring way of living which, alongside the island’s untouched, pure environment and rich fishing grounds, allowed them to prosper. The occupation of a Fisherman became ingrained in the Icelandic identity and was passed down from generation to genera-tion. Although the fishing landscape has changed, the Fishermen of Patreksfjörður remain.
The final editorial design also included archive material, courtesy of Einar, our host in Iceland as well as the interview we had with Vikingdor.
Assisted by Querida Studio ·Archive photos courtesy of Einar · Special thanks to Vikingdor, Oskar, Maria and the Fishermen of Patreksfjördur
