TITLE: In the Fog

The ‘Ballerinas’ Series captures the fascination with beauty in an extremely poetic, subtle and – literally and figuratively – fleeting way that the Artist derives from the extraordinary art of dance. The emotions seen here are usually set in a fascinating and carefully selected environment. The surroundings are not obvious, sometimes shrouded in fog or otherwise allowing the mysticism of the captured moment to be conveyed. As always with Radek, light plays an important role, and the artist uses various techniques with his characteristic ease. Ballet dancers are usually in the foreground, although they just as often complete a vision that focuses mainly on the fascinating surroundings (for example, in the photograph Arbalete). Space is of great importance to Radek, hence the impression of a partial connection between the ballerinas and another of the artist’s series, Abandoned Beauty. This is entirely justified, as several works can be found in both the first and second series. The dominant, but by no means the only, ballet technique used here is pointe, which is briefly described below.

The pointe technique originated from the desire for dancers to appear weightless, detached from the surface like majestic butterflies. Although both men and women are capable of pointe dancing, it is mostly performed by women. In order to develop the strength and technique needed for this, intensive training and years of practice are required to reach perfection. It is part of classical ballet in which the ballerina supports her entire body weight on the tips of her fully extended feet.

AUTHOR: Radek von Hirschberg (Poland)

“Photography connects the world of facts with the universe of emotions. It reconciles the mind with the soul, and through it, I follow the path of continuous development. Per aspera ad Astra (…)”. – Radek von Hirschberg

Radek’s photography has a universal quality, with a distinct focus on people, understood in an exceptionally broad sense. His open-minded approach allows him to blend various forms within this artistic field, for example, by creating narrative portraits or nudes in different worlds and dimensions. Occasionally, he delves into landscapes and saute architecture. He tells stories, describes emotions and sometimes is solely interested in form.

He works both digitally and analog (including, among others, his favorite Nikon FM2 and Pentax 645NII). At times, he combines modern cameras with vintage lenses, (including, for example, his beloved replica of the 19th-century Petzval lens). He is an enthusiast of natural light but occasionally combines multiple types of light. Follow his rapidly expanding portfolio – it’s worth it.

Radek’s lens captures a diverse array of subjects, including movie stars, models, and public figures, as well as ordinary individuals who often become… extraordinary. He photographs in modern spaces, as well as in the ruins of castles or abandoned factories. He loves to juxtapose opposites, which is wonderfully reflected in his series Desolate Beauty. Occasionally, he also works in the studio. He expresses himself in both black and white but does not shy away from a full color palette. His embrace of diversity reflects an open mind and is an expression of his creative freedom.

His works have been awarded, published and exhibited in Poland and abroad. They can also be found in institutional and private collections. He collaborates with international modeling agencies in fashion photography. His photographs are exhibited in domestic and foreign galleries and are part of numerous auctions. They are officially listed on the Polish and European markets (Art Info, ArtPrice).

As Lennon supposedly said: “Tell yourself you have the talent, then believe in it”. Radek, as he says, wears “rose-colored Lennon glasses” when photographing. And he tells himself that what he does may appeal to others, and may even momentarily captivate them. And if he’s wrong – he does it anyway“. Per aspera ad Astra (…) is both his credo and modus vivendi.