“In 2003, Mount Stuart Trust invited Mischa Haller to make new work on the Isle of Bute. He made four visits during two years and in all four seasons, observing island life and creating a unique documentary series of photographs. “on Bute” tells the story of the identity of a cummunity and its dayly life at the beginning of the 21 st century. The project is a celebration of the island, showing the spirit of the place, people and their times. The photos explore a dynamic society, at times in transition, detached from the mainland and often displaying a strong sense of humour.
This exhibition and book continues Mischa Haller’s development of portrait and reportage photography. Over the past half decade, he was spontaneously and responsively recorded individuals and groups of people in the process of everyday living. He uses a personal, documentary style of photography and frames momentary encounters using both classical and subject-based compositions. Haller says he is interested in “real people and real moments. Not just how things look but how it felt to be there”. In this sense, many of the smaller details hint at a larger, existential truth. (...)”
Sophie Crichton Stuart Programme Director, Mount Stuart Visual Arts Programme on Bute, published by the Mount Stuart Trust in April 2005
