Poetry in the Ordinary: Exhibition of facade photographs by Michael Nguyen in Berlin
The Begegnungsstätte Mehr Mitte of the Volkssolidarität Berlin e.V. is showing a window exhibition curated by Dr. phil. Lily Fürstenow, photographs from the photo series "By the Roadside" by Michael Nguyen from 14 November - 1 December 2023. The exhibition shows 30 photographs of facades taken in various German and other European cities. The curator Dr. phil. Lily Fürstenow is committed to promoting artists with her online exhibition www.e-mergingartists.art showing consequently international artists represented online in various exhibition contexts as for example e-mergING artiSTS in the current exhibition cycle Art in Public Spaces.
In the world of photography, where every image tells a story, Michael Nguyen, a photographer from Gauting (Greater Munich area), has carved out a niche for himself with his captivating façade photographs. With his calm eye, Nguyen transforms ordinary exteriors into captivating visual narratives, inviting the viewer to discover the often overlooked beauty of the structures that surround us.
Nguyen's façade photography is characterised by a unique blend of precision and artistry. His keen eye for detail allows him to capture the subtle nuances of architectural elements and play with light and shadow to create a visual symphony. Whether the play of sunlight on weathered bricks, elegant contemporary design or the reflection of an urban landscape in a modern glass façade, Nguyen's photographs go beyond the surface and penetrate the soul of the structures he captures.
Nguyen's photographs not only show the aesthetic appeal of façades, but also emphasise the relationship between form and function inherent in architecture. Through his gaze, the utilitarian aspects of buildings become an integral part of the visual narrative. The interplay of lines, shapes and textures in his compositions emphasises the harmony between the architectural design and its intended purpose. Whether he is capturing the grandeur of a historic building or the sleek minimalism of a modern structure, Nguyen's photographs speak to the viewer on a deeper level, inviting them to reflect on their own connection to the urban landscapes around them.
The facade photography invites a visual journey through the layers of our built environment. His ability to elicit poetry from the ordinary and present the extraordinary in the mundane makes him a distinctive force in the field of architectural photography. Michael Nguyen's façade photographs are an inspiring testimony to the profound beauty that lies within the structures that characterise our lives.
Curator Dr. phil. Lily Fürstenow studied foreign languages in Tbilisi Ilia Uni and got her PhD Degree at the Humboldt University Berlin in Cultural Studies. She has been awarded DAAD Scholarship for her PhD research, Deutscher Künstlerbund Bundesprogramm Neustart Kultur Scholarship for the promotion of digital formats of contemporary art and Sammlung Schirm Donation for the X-treme Women Art Prize Berlin 2022. She lives and works in Berlin and in Tbilisi.
Michael Nguyen: By the Roadside
Photographs
Exhibition curated by Dr phil. Lily Fürstenow
Begegnungsstätte Mehr Mitte Volkssolidarität Berlin
Torstraße 190, D - 10115 Berlin
14 November - 1 December 2023
