Mick Hartley

Dutch photographer Eddo Hartmann travelled four times to North Korea, between 2014 and 2017. He makes no claim that the resulting project and book – Setting the Stage – are a behind-the-scenes look at the real Pyongyang. On the contrary, he was chaperoned at all times, the images approved by his minders. This is the official North Korea, as they want it to be seen – which makes it all the more chilling. Pristine marble totalitarian kitsch, with the few isolated individuals only serving to emphasise the soulless alienation of the socialist utopia.

Party Foundation Monument. Pyongyang, 2014 © Eddo Hartmann

Base, Juche Tower. Pyongyang, 2014 © Eddo Hartmann

Entrance to the ice rink. Pyongyang, 2016 © Eddo Hartmann

Welcome. Entrance to the Kim Il Sung Stadium. Pyongyang, 2014 © Eddo Hartmann

Regular visitor. Changgwangwon Health Complex, 2017 © Eddo Hartmann

Student. In the entrance to the Changgwangwon Health Complex, 2017 © Eddo Hartmann

Calling Upstairs. Grand people’s study house. Pyongyang, 2016 © Eddo Hartmann

Lady in Blue. Changgwangwon Health complex. Pyongyang, 2016 © Eddo Hartmann

Lobby of the Yanggakdo hotel. Pyongyang, 2014 © Eddo Hartmann

Day of the Sun. Celebrations at the birthday of the Eternal Leader Kim Il Sung. April 15, 2014 © Eddo Hartmann

Loudspeaker outside the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. © Eddo Hartmann

Portraits of the Leaders, Jannansam Hotel. © Eddo Hartmann

Kim Il-SungSquare, Pyongyang. © Eddo Hartmann