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
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