Edition 2016

Sara Galbiati, Peter Helles Eriksen and Tobias Selnæs Markussen

Phenomena, a Close Encounter with a Reality of Aliens and Ufos

What lies behind UFO phenomena? A commercially profitable story, a delusion with social consequences, a religious myth, a physical phenomenon?

The exhibition Phenomena examines the human need for faith through extensive research and collected data on the modern myth of ETs and UFOs. It strives to achieve an understanding of this modern aspect of humanity’s eternal search for substance and enormous fear of meaninglessness.

Through an investigative journey through the states of Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona, Tobias Selnaes Markussen, Sara Galbiati, and Peter Helles Eriksen have documented an alternative religion—a religion where neither God nor mankind is at the centre of the universe.

In this exhibition the three photographers present their empirically collected material to the public for the first time. They encourage the visitor to take a critical look at their research, because the complexity of the subject and constant flow of changing information mean that pieces can be combined in infinite ways.

Using an anthropological approach, the group aimed to collect as much documentation as possible and maintain a non-judgmental attitude when interviewing their informants. The group believes this approach maximises the chances of excavating something that eventually could lead to a new understanding.

This method has had a crucial effect on the outcome of the material and statements. Some of them are contradictory; some might not even be true. This gives the exhibition the feeling of fiction, though the work itself is entirely based on reality.

Publication: Phenomena, André Frère Éditions, 2016.
Prints by Picto, Paris.
Framing by Plasticollage and Circad, Paris.

  • Institutional partners

    • République Française
    • Région Provence Alpes Côté d'Azur
    • Département des Bouches du Rhône
    • Arles
    • Le Centre des monuments nationaux est heureux de soutenir les Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles en accueillant des expositions dans l’abbaye de Montmajour
  • Main partners

    • Fondation LUMA
    • BMW
    • SNCF
    • Kering
  • Media partners

    • Arte
    • Lci
    • Konbini
    • Le Point
    • Madame Figaro
    • France Culture