The fragility of all, 2015

Michaela Haider  

This haunting artwork portrays a solitary figure curled on a frozen, snow-dusted surface, evoking a sense of vulnerability and isolation. The stark contrast between the figure's exposed back and the surrounding icy landscape draws attention, highlighting the fragility of human presence against nature's relentless force. Snow-laden branches encroach from the edges, suggesting a silent, watchful environment. The subdued color palette of blues and whites enhances the chilling atmosphere, while the soft, diffused light suggests a somber twilight. This composition uniquely captures the interplay between isolation and the immutable strength of nature, prompting introspection and emotional engagement from the viewer. The photograph's tension between warmth of skin and the cold of ice underscores a poignant narrative of endurance and resilience. Through its striking imagery, the artwork captivates, inviting reflection on humanity's place within the natural world.

Starting with photographic base elements, such as the figure or the landscape, Haider transforms the scenery into a surreal world through heavy post-production. She uses photographs, that in their essence capture something real, to merge these aspects of reality, slowly creating something unreal and imagined, yet familiar in its story - a dreamscape, drawing from the essence underneath the surface. In her work the unspoken finds itself translated into images. Hahnemühle Photo Rag (HPR) 300g. Print comes with a 2.5 cm white border. Other sizes: 11.8 H x 15.7 W in Edition 4/15 +1 ap