BERLIN.- Forget cameras and lenses. In Marta Djourina’s captivating exhibition, “Glowing Attraction,” at Haus am Kleistpark | Projektraum, light itself becomes the artist, the medium, and the subject. Djourina abandons traditional photography, instead working directly with light sources and photographic paper to create stunning abstract works where light transforms into color.

This analog approach offers a refreshing contrast to today’s digital world, taking us back to the very essence of photography. It’s not just about capturing light; it’s about letting light create the image, revealing phenomena usually confined to the laboratory or other controlled environments.

The exhibition showcases several series that explore different facets of light. Works from Glowing Attraction (2019/20) were created using the mesmerizing glow of bioluminescent algae. The Foxfire series (2021-2023) captures the ethereal luminescence of bioluminescent fungi, often known as "foxfire." These works evoke a sense of wonder, capturing the magic of natural light sources rarely seen in this way.

Djourina also delves into the complex nature of the sun in her projects Ashes of Ice (2023) and Fluid Contact (2023-). These pieces explore the sun’s dual nature, showcasing both its life-giving warmth and its potential for destructive power. Water, often paired with light in these works, takes on fascinating new forms, acting as a connecting thread between humanity and the environment.

“People think of paint as flat, but it is alive—it absorbs, reflects, and transforms depending on its environment,” explains Djourina. This philosophy extends to her use of light, where the interplay of light and paper creates dynamic and ever-changing images.

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1991, Djourina has been based in Berlin since 2009. She studied Fine Arts at the Berlin University of the Arts and spent time at the Glasgow School of Art. Her work has been showcased in numerous international exhibitions, including recent showings at the Eskenazi Museum of Art in the United States, the Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art, the Goethe Institute, the Berlinische Galerie – Museum for Contemporary Art, and Galerie Feldbusch-Wiesner-Rudolf in Berlin.

Djourina's talent has been widely recognized. She has received prestigious awards such as the BAZA Prize for Contemporary Art (2021), the Eberhard Roters Scholarship (2020), and the Marianne Brandt Prize for Photography (2022). Further solidifying her place in the art world, Djourina released her first monograph, "Foxfire," in 2024. “Glowing Attraction” provides a unique opportunity to experience Djourina's captivating exploration of light and its transformative power.