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THE UNIVERSE WITHIN

Operating at the intersection of art and science, The Universe Within explores the complex landscape of human consciousness, thought, emotion, and potential through abstract photography.

The works serve as both reflection and narrative, illuminating the multifaceted nature of the cosmos. They point to a profound interconnectedness—a realm where our minds shape realities while harboring the very same fundamental elements that structure the universe itself. Each image functions simultaneously as an observation of the macrocosm around us and a portal to the microcosm we carry within.

Captured under cross-polarized light, these compositions transform thin sections of ancient glacial and high-purity water ice into vivid visual landscapes. What remains initially hidden emerges through a deliberate shift in how we direct and perceive light.

By bridging the ephemeral with the timeless, the series invites an ongoing dialogue on fragility and resilience, beauty and impermanence. The ice becomes far more than a vessel for time and memory; it acts as a living mirror reflecting essential questions of origin, connection, and transformation. Serving as tangible anchors to the past, these images continually adapt to the shifting narratives of the present—offering a rich, expansive space to contemplate the human experience.

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

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

Edition 7 + 2 AP