"Like the rest of our waters, when much agitated, in clear weather, so that the surface of the waves may reflect the sky at the right angle, or because there is more light mixed with it, it at a little distance of a darker blue than the sky itself; and at such time, being on its surface, and looking with divided vision, so as to see the reflection, I have discerned a matchless and indescribable light blue, such as watered or changeable silks and sword blades suggest, more cerulean than the sky itself, altering with the original dark green on the opposite sides of the waves, which last but muddy in comparison."

-Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Henry David Thoreau lived at Walden Pond from July 4, 1845 to September 6, 1847. In recognition of his last full day at Walden, Stefan Hagen returned 156 years later on September 5, 2003 to survey the pond through a series of sixteen walks. Starting at the first light of day, each subsequent walk began as the sun shifted 8 degrees. Each photograph was exposed with the camera lens open during a walk that circumscribed the pond. To date Hagen has presented the project as a series of sixteen still photographs or as a book. For the first time he has transferred the photos to video format where both time and space is captured. Thoreau was keenly observant of the light and its seasonal change. By exploring an element that remains constant – annual daylight, Hagen connects us to Thoreau’s own time at the pond.

Through a series of experiential photographic projects Stefan Hagen has explored time and space. Weather Station/Wave Hill housed a camera that made daily photographs recording the path of the sun. The station developed the cyanotypes employing solar energy and rainwater and was exhibited here in 2005. Crossing the Upper Bay/One Day charted one day in 24 trips on the Staten Island Ferry and was exhibited in light boxes at the Bowling Green MTA Subway Station. Crossing the North American Continent charts the entire road from New York to San Francisco during an eight day drive. Hagen did the photography for The History of Photography As Seen Through the Spira Collection, one of the most important collections of photographic equipment. His collaborations with Sloane Tanen have resulted in numerous books and posters. He has collaborated extensively with other artists on video installations for performances. He studied photography at Lette-Verein in Berlin, Germany and has resided in New York since 1988. For more information: www.stefanhagenphotography.com