EN / DE

THE UNIVERSE WITHIN

The Universe Within is a project situated at the intersection of art and science and explores with abstract photographs the complex inner world of human consciousness, thoughts, emotions, and potential.

The photographs serve as both a reflection and a narrative of the cosmos‘s multifaceted nature. They point to a profound interconnectedness in which our minds can create realities and harbor the same fundamental elements found in the universe itself.
Each photograph acts as both an observation of the macrocosm—our environment—and a reminder of the microcosm we carry within.

They invite a dialogue on fragility and resilience, beauty and impermanence, mirroring the ongoing conversation we hold with ourselves and the world around us. By linking the ephemeral with the timeless, these images offer deep insight into the human experience. They serve as tangible anchors to the past while continuously adapting to the shifting cultural narratives of the present. The works invite viewers to see ice not merely as a vessel for time and memory, but as a mirror reflecting fundamental questions regarding origin, connection, and transformation. The narrative is as rich and expansive as the ancient ice that has preserved time itself.

TECHNIQUE
These abstract, colorful photographs show thin sections of ancient glacial ice and high-purity water ice viewed under cross-polarized light. Inside a cold room maintained at a constant –20°C, the ice samples underwent a meticulous process of cutting and grinding to achieve a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 millimeters. They were then photographed between two linear polarizing filters, revealing crystal structures and grain boundaries in patterns of varying colors. What is initially invisible becomes visible when we alter the way we use and perceive light.

CREDITS
This interdisciplinary project was realized in collaboration with the renowned scientist Prof. Emerita Dr. Margit Schwikowski and researchers from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villigen, Switzerland.

Prof. em. Dr. Margit Schwikowski
Dr. Theo Jenk
Phd Student Michelle Worek
PSI Paul Scherrer institute, Villigen CH

°

EACH OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS IS AVAILABLE AS LIMITED FINE-ART-PRINT.

Edition 7 + 2 AP