Ærø Arkivet - A snapshot of island life
14 unique portraits of Ærø residents in image, text, and sound
The exhibition ÆRØ ARKIVET – A Snapshot of Island Life puts faces and voices to life on Ærø – both today and in the future. The exhibition marks the beginning of a five-year art and storytelling project that places the personal narratives of Ærø’s residents at its core.
ÆRØ ARKIVET is created by photographer Mali Lazell in collaboration with Søbygaard. Over the next five years, the project will collect and exhibit 100 photographic portraits and interviews with the island’s inhabitants – young and old, newcomers and lifelong residents – creating a living and growing archive of those who shape everyday life on Ærø.
In the 2025 season, a total of 14 portraits will be presented, accompanied by short texts and personal voices. The portraits are complemented by a unique sound installation by local sound artist Mads Beck Paluszewski-Hau, who has transformed interview excerpts into a sensory audio experience – weaving the voices of the portrayed into one shared story.
ÆRØ ARKIVET is not just an art exhibition, but an essential part of Søbygaard’s communication of the theme Life on Ærø. It creates a space where islanders and visitors alike can exchange perspectives and experience Ærø through the eyes of those who live there.