D.P.R. KOREA: THE GRAND TOUR

The Grand Tour – a hugely ambitious project, taking Magnum photographer Carl De Keyzer on a 60 night tour

 

Photographer Carl De Keyzer was on a 60 night tour to every single one of North Korea’s provinces, making him the first Western photographer to ever do so. The photographs were for Koryo’s dedicated DPRK-travel website (koryotours.com), as well as his own portfolio. The work was shown publicly for the first time in summer 2017, at American University Museum, Washington, accompanied by his book D.P.R. Korea: Grand Tour.

DPRKorea

D.P.R. KOREA
Carl De Keyzer
2017

A waitress prepares the dining hall for a meal at Kyongsang Guest House, Kyongsang, North Hamgyong Province

A waitress prepares the dining hall for a meal at Kyongsang Guest House, Kyongsang, North Hamgyong Province

“We like to see DPRK as the next big enemy, if only to sell papers and media. I could be wrong of course, there is a decent amount of manipulation going on with visitors, but I would say that a lot of information is exaggerated.”

Carl De Keyzer

About the Book

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is one of the hardest places in the world to photograph. Tourists have to follow strict guidelines and photographers are not allowed to go on professional trips. Taking De Keyzer in on an approved photographic tour allowed him a unique view of almost everything there is to see as a foreign visitor to the DPRK, giving outsiders the opportunity to see the country through the lens of a globally renowned multi award-winning photographer.

With more than two decades of experience in the DPRK and trusting relationships, we were able to convince the North Koreans that this would be a worthwhile project. Because of De Keyzer’s partnership with Koryo and because both parties were upfront about the aims of the trip from the beginning, he was allowed the time and space to properly observe the places he visited.

Mass Dance
Firstly. Secondly. However, it did. In conclusion. Moreover the movie launched, because it is a success. However. In conclusion. Similarly. Therefore. In other words. For instance. In addition.

Limited edition prints available, please contact us for details

Other Publications

Inside North Korea book cover
Guardian journalist and photographer Oliver Wainwright travelled to DPRK on the Koryo Tours architectural tour
Setting the Stage book cover
A  collaboration with Dutch photographer Eddo Hartmann on a project documenting the North Korean architectural endeavour to shape the ultimate
Printed in North Korea book cover
The art and creativity of everyday life in the DPRK. Collection of prints dating from the 1950s to twenty-first century
A Night in Pyongyang book cover
Photographer Werner Kranwetvogel looking at the core elements of the Mass Games, a spectacular extravaganza of gymnastics, synchronisation and music involving over 100,000 performers