curated by Vanessa Souli
Will-o’-the-Wisp explores the profound effect of light in the openness of the landscape. Known by various names – Will-o’-the-Wisp in English folklore, Ignis Fatuus in Latin and Irrlicht in German – the phenomenon of elusive, ghostly lights appearing in marshes, moors and nightscapes is a phenomenon that has captivated the human imagination for centuries and has been the subject of mysticism and mysticism for centuries. The phenomenon of the will-o’-the-wisp has captivated the human imagination for centuries, perpetuating the mystique and cultural symbolism of light in the vastness of nature.
This exhibition is an exploration of our fascination with the mysterious, but also the profound effects that light has on us: Awe and fear, wonder and imagination, the aloofness of experiencing it in different natural settings.
A series of selected works in different media explore how light accompanies profound human experiences – our search for meaning, the feeling of being led astray, or the experience of being drawn into something beyond our understanding. Some works capture the contrast between light and shadow, showing how the slightest change in lighting can alter the landscape and deepen our connection to nature. Others focus on the play of light in darkened or hidden environments, reflecting the allure of the unseen and the tension between what is visible and what is shrouded in darkness. And some show the magic that is revealed as soon as we lift the veil of fear. Last but not least, this exhibition is an invitation to reconnect with the natural world and recognize the profound effect it has on our psyche, reminding us of our shared existence with the elements that both shape and challenge us.
The exhibition invites us to reflect on our most intimate, unsettling and inspiring experiences with and in nature, and to appreciate this timeless subject through the lens of a variety of artistic approaches.
