The illuminating haze

The illuminating haze
Photo-series by Milica Nikolić

This fragmented approach of “The Illuminated haze” series was excavated from self-psychoanalysis as well as some from Freud’s experience of photography. It is well known that he was passionate for art history. He used photographs of archaeological artefacts and renaissance art as a source for exploration, learning and research, inextricably linking the early twentieth-century art of photography with psychiatric observation.

Guided by his scientific approach to photography, this series was taken from daily documentary and abstract photography I had taken on various places where my subconscious hit a peak of experience.

The photographs were not staged, rather they were found as artefacts of street life or as traces in nature which I, as a human being had, and indirectly needed to personalise, which many photographers and artist subconsciously do. Many of them were made through self-treatment, helping to awake consciousness and focus back in some periods. The long exposures and textural technique is the nearest visual presentation of how the mind plays with itself when it is out of emotional or spiritual balance. As we go through series, these gradations of photographic “mistakes” or trajectories and strong diagonal compositions, are forming clearer object and hidden language comes to the surface like mental relief.

The glance of hazing mountains, lakes, streets etc. might depict the medical term “clouding of consciousness” or Brain fog. This state of mind is lately quite often described by people who are overwhelmed with information, short tempered and feeling anxious. Regarding this photography and its fragmentary nature might or should be considered as a part of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy methods like writing or meditation.

Nowadays mobile photography mistaken as a medium is a great excuse for its utilisation /approval in society and mimics a pleased life worldwide. But sooner or later disappointment arrives like the Sigmund Freud had when he saw Michelangelo’s “Moses” in person. “Moses” is a collective fortune as is every branch, scar, reflection.

These glimpses should not be adored and be approved by society - they should be experienced with a patience and attention allowing our subconscious to speak, to illuminate and clarify our thoughts.

text and photos by Milica Nikolić,

Zemun, 2016

This project is in progress with a lot of care, so I would love to hear any suggestions and ideas ;-)