By Helen Shih
Photo: Nick & Chloé/Bernstein & Andriulli
Photography duo Nick & Chloé take you into a dark world inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet for their photo-story “Elsinore” in the latest issue of SPREAD|Artculture magazine. The setting of the play is Elsinore, the Danish royal castle where the young prince Hamlet struggles with the recent passing of his father, King Hamlet, and the many deaths that ensue in his desire for revenge.
Nick & Chloé’s modern interpretation takes place in a Paquebot-style machine factory built in the 1960s in the French suburbs. Notes the photographers, “We thought it was the perfect location to echo Hamlet’s home, Elsinore. The map is a clue, indicating capitalism and industry. We also wanted to echo the end of an empire, a feeling of crisis.”
Hamlet is portrayed as a lost prince in “a time of decay and abandon,” explains Nick & Chloé. Hamlet’s expressions, offset by his pale skin, reflect the somber and nostalgic mood. Objects placed in the vacant office such as the veal’s feet and the butterfly symbolize decay and death.
The prince must deal with betrayal, corruption, loneliness, and madness until he meets his untimely end. To see the full story, flip to page 148 of SPREAD|Artculture magazine.
Photo: Nick & Chloé/Bernstein & Andriulli
Photo: Nick & Chloé/Bernstein & Andriulli
Photo: Nick & Chloé/Bernstein & Andriulli
Nick & Chloé intend to continue the series with Queen Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother.
Story: Elsinore
Photography: Nick & Chloé
Styling: Ines Fendri
Art Department: Patricia Clairet
Model: Benoit Barnay@ Nine Daughters and Stereo
Make-up: Eva M’Baye @ B-agency
Retouching: Lee Hickman @ Happy Finish
