In Praise of Shadow

"It is only in cases where belief and dogma have become an empty form, as is common in our highly civilised, stoic, and rationalistic Western world, that they have lost their magical power and left individuals alone and without help." - Jolande Jacobi

In my work, the shadow symbolises the natural world and the corresponding beliefs. Animistic and primal beliefs have taken refuge in the shadow. They are the remaining vestiges of the natural world that have not been appropriated by humanity, rejected due to anthropocentric perspectives.

Renowned British biologist, traveler, and natural knowledge popularizer, David Attenborough, verifies that except for the ocean floor, there are no locations on the earth that have not been claimed by humankind. As a result, the spirits of ancient myths have had to adjust to the contemporary world. Taking shelter in the darkness, they seek refuge from human influence - in burrows, caves, and abandoned buildings dark corners.

Whilst searching for anecumena in the vicinity of Nowa Ruda and its subterranean world, I encountered several dark-dwelling organisms, such as various species of fungi and moulds. Consequently, I began operating exclusively at night, moving around in the dark, equipped with my camera and flash. Upon experiencing the increasingly present and pervasive shadow, I felt myself drifting between the realm of dreams and waking consciousness.  As I continued to explore this psychological terrain, I began to envision images associated with ancient and primal perceptions of nature, which initially caused me apprehension. It caused me to ponder whether humanity's fundamental dread of the savage and unbridled aspects of nature has led to societal attempts to tame and civilise it.