ENTRY DESCRIPTION
Desolate Beauty is the project that combines the seemingly opposing concepts of beauty and desolation (and sometimes even destruction and decay). Beauty is embodied by captivating women (occasionally men), while desolation is reflected in the physical state of the locations where I immortalize the protagonists of my stories. The women are adorned in beautiful garments or are nude – but they are always beautiful. This unusual collage significantly impacts my sense of aesthetics and emotional state. The sum of beauty and decay always results in… beauty (just as good always triumphs over evil). Loneliness is another common element in the various photographs – regardless of how many people are present in each shot.
AUTHOR
“For me, photography is a bridge between facts and emotions. A link between body and soul and a form of expression of my condition at a given time and place.” – Radek von Hirschberg
He took his first steps in photography in the 1980s in the city of Jelenia Góra, to which his artistic pseudonym refers. However, the mundane aspects of life took priority over his passion and pushed him on a different track. After more than three decades, he has returned to photography, which over this period has undergone a technical revolution. One thing has not changed though – the unlimited possibility of creation, experimentation and self-expression through this form of art. And this is what Radek enjoys the most.
Mostly mountains and people appear in his lens, as well as clouds, which for Radek are an inseparable element of landscape photography. The camera is an indispensable part of his everyday life, which results in reportage series and street photography. He is an enthusiast of natural light, but does not avoid working in the studio. Most often he focuses on the substance, although sometimes he is only interested in the form. His open mind does not allow him to limit himself to the mainstream fields of photography – among his works we can also find conceptual, architectural photographs and, as he somewhat self-ironically calls them, postcards. You can view Radek’s portfolio.
Radek’s works have been awarded, published and exhibited in Poland and abroad. They can be found in institutional and private collections as well as at collector photography auctions. The photo entitled “Desolate/Too fast for me…” has been shortlisted for the final exhibition of the LAB ROME’22 edition, which will take place from October 8-22, 2022 in ROME. The photo “Destinations” was awarded the main prize in the national competition of the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper entitled Switzerland – the places I return to. A series of highly emotional studio portraits received an honorable mention in the national competition Portraits. Mountain impressions from the Karkonosze and Dolomites received an honorable mention in 2021 at the Chromatic Awards and a year later his works were qualified for the post-competition exhibition of the 22nd international Biennale of Mountain Photography. The Independence March reportage received an honorable mention at the International Photography Awards. Other awards and descriptions of exhibitions can be viewed here.
Radek creates all the time. He is preparing for several expeditions, sessions and exhibitions. It is worth returning to this page from time to time, as it is updated regularly.
As Lennon said: you have to tell yourself you have talent and then believe in it. Referring to this quote, Radek says: “As part of my photographic hobby, I put on my John Lennon glasses and tell myself that what I’m doing may appeal to others, and maybe even captivate them for a while. And if I’m wrong – I still enjoy what I do.”
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