About

Slow, Analogue, Dark

 

DARK GALLERY CPH is an artist-driven artspace dedicated to analogue art photography and photographic documentation. We are a ‘slow gallery’ that pursues immersive and sensual storytelling. The gallery has several Dark Spaces where light is a performativ part of the exhibition experience. The gallery values experimentation, which is why exhibited artworks have generally never previously been on show.

 

COLLABORATIONS

DARK GALLERY CPH invites proposals from photographers, artists, performers, festivals and curators – and anyone with a story to share.

The gallery is an artist-driven artspace where artists, festivals, photographers and others are welcome to curate their own exhibitions following the guidelines listed below.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with ideas – or drop by during opening hours.

The gallery also actively takes part in festival activities and generally issues open calls twice annually.

 

OUR COLLABORATION GUIDELINES

Photography

DARK GALLERY CPH is dedicated to analogue photography and slow, immersive storytelling. This includes documentary photography.

Generally, exhibitions at the gallery are dedicated to silver-gelatine prints rather than digital prints. However, digital multimedia technology can be included in the exhibitions in support of the storytelling. With some individual exhibitions, digital technology may take centre stage provided the exhibitions are documentary or experimental in character.

Images exhibited at the gallery have generally not previously been exhibited.

 

We are a slow gallery

All exhibitions must honour the gallery’s commitment to creating slow, immersive experiences. Visitors often spend between 30 and 60 minutes in the gallery. Providing text narrative or audio-visual media content to support the immersive experience is therefore required. Interactive projects are also given preference.

 

Gallery spaces

The gallery comprises a front exhibition space illuminated by traditional exhibition lighting (i.e. spotlights in the ceiling) as well as natural daylight from the street windows.

Additionally, the gallery has unique dedicated Dark Spaces that are pitch dark and where all lighting is a performative aspect of the exhibitions, and preferably interactive. Read more about exhibiting in the Dark Spaces on the “Dark Spaces” webpage.

With solo exhibitions, or group exhibitions curated by the artists themselves, contributors are generally required to use all gallery spaces. Any vacant rooms may be used by the gallery for other, independent exhibitions.

 

Opening hours

The gallery is generally open three days a week except during periods with many national holidays. The gallery is additionally generally closed in December and July. Opening days and hours are adapted to individual exhibitions and are listed and always updated on Google and the gallery event posts on social media.

 

Exhibition periods

As of January 2025, allocated exhibition periods will generally have a duration of 3 weeks. Large highlight exhibitions that involve extensive preparation may be allocated between 4 and 6 weeks.

Around one week is generally allocated to the hanging of new exhibitions.

 

Staffing

DARK GALLERY CPH offers visitors the chance to meet the artists or photographers in person. Such visitor dynamics also allows artists to benefit from meeting their audience. With group or solo exhibitions that require most of the gallery space, contributing artists are therefore generally required to help staff the gallery when possible.

Artists and photographers invited to exhibit through an open call, or who reside either abroad or out of town, are generally not required to help staff the gallery. However, we recommend that they find the time for the very rewarding experience of meeting their audience by travelling to the city and staff the gallery personally on individual days.

Separate event posts are generally made on social media to highlight days where artists staff their own exhibitions.

 

Responsibility

We take good care of your artworks. But the gallery does not accept responsibility for exhibited material. Artists are responsible for collecting exhibited material from the gallery after exhibitions. Material returned by the gallery by post will be returned by regular post unless otherwise agreed.

All exhibiting artists must ensure that their images or other exhibited material is their own property and does not infringe on copyright issues or is in breach of law for other reasons.

Artists who host events at the gallery are responsible for the behaviour of their guests and for maintaining good relations with our neighbours. Event hours must be respected and be cleared beforehand with the gallery.

 

Fees

There are no fees for exhibiting artists. Admission to the gallery is also always free. No fees may be charged for events at the gallery.

 

Artist talks and events

Contributing artists are encouraged to host artist talks or workshops at the gallery. These are generally held outside of opening hours unless otherwise agreed.

 

Graphic design

The gallery has developed a full graphic program for printed text displays, posters and flyers. However, artists are welcome to provide their own designs.

The gallery does not cover the cost of graphic design or printed matter. We will be happy to facilitate contact with our graphic designer.

 

Window displays

Contributing artists and photographers are encouraged to develop window displays for their exhibitions. The gallery has a display frame that can hold a 91×90 cm printed poster.

The display frame has non-reflective glass.

 

Press

The gallery issues press releases and updates the gallery website and social media with information on current exhibitions. Such texts are developed in dialogue with the exhibiting artists. Social media posts are posted with the artist as collaborative partner.

Contributing artists and photographers are encouraged to draw on their personal media network and to promote their exhibition and related events on their own social media and website.