gelatin film | exploration | image | silver print

Mörk Materia

By: Marinos Koutsomichalis
Ongoing explorations of cameraless photography/cinematography and of the darkroom as a creative means by itself.
gelatin film | exploration | image | silver print

Mörk Materia

Ongoing explorations of cameraless photography/cinematography and of the darkroom as a creative means by itself.

By: Marinos Koutsomichalis

Materials:
B&W photo chemistry, (expired) silver gelatin film, (expired) RC/FB silver gelatin paper, various objects and materials, film projector, photo enlarger, light, darkness

Dimensions (silver gelatin prints):
Variable

Duration (motion films):
Variable (typically from a few seconds to a few minutes)

Produced by:
Marinos Koutsomichalis, Heraklion GR

Produced at:
Y’ha-nthlei Studio, Heraklion GR

Produced in:
2023-ongoing

Documented by:
Marinos Koutsomichalis

Mörk Materia revolves around cameraless photography/cinematography experimentation and the creative utilisation of the darkroom as a production means all by itself. Employing a variety of techniques, B&W chemistry, gelatin film and RC or FB photopaper all kinds of abstract imagery is created from scratch. Highly experimental in their essence sessions of a sort make heavy use of expired silver-based materials, misuse of chemistry, and ad-hoc/haphazard methods. On this continuum, Mörk Materia celebrates unconditional exploration of the literal/material foundation of photography.

 

Mörk Materia manifests in a number of different fashions with respect to the materials involved. Most notably it concerns: 35mm and 4×5″ film negatives (to be digitally scanned and/or printed in the darkroom); unique silver gelatin prints created directly on photo paper; and Supr8/8mm motion films to be projected. All silver gelatin prints (from films or directly onto paper) are unique creations stamped, numbered, and signed by the artist.

"En stråle skär igenom mörk materia" (Aase Berg)

Events
  • Performance, Non-machines: Playground of Perspectives; Bauhaus Universität Weimar, DE. (2023)
  • Performance, 3nd European Culture And Technology Lab+ Annual Conference (ECT LAB+); MADLab. Limassol, CY. (2023)