Photographer Peter Bialobrzeski uses an analogue plate camera to realize his magical “jungle” photos of Asian metropolises, captured on the threshold of day and night, or in darkness. This is nature in the midst, or on the periphery, of stony, urban deserts, immersed in the artificial twilight of sodium lamps, automobile headlights, and brightly illuminated skyscrapers. The urban greenery glows as dreamily and surrealistically as the sparkling panoramas of the Asian mega-cities Bialobrzeski has made famous. In his prize-winning book, Neontigers (2004), the different cities of the so-called “tiger” nations blend into one gigantic metropolis, which could very well serve as the setting for a science-fiction film.

Mainly, Bialobrzeski concentrates on urban spaces and structures. Still, he regards himself as more than just a documentary photographer. Instead, he is also interested in “giving expression to, narrating” his “fascination . . . for finding the beauty in things.” Although his urban panoramas portray a kind of frightening growth and rapid transformation, as well as raising questions about the environment, energy, and globalization, we see photographs whose glitter and glow outshine each and every problem, at first glance.

He has had solo exhibitions at institutions such as Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea in Milan, Galerie Clairefontaine in Luxembourg Kunstmuseum Celle in Städt. Kunstmuseum Bochum, Museo Patio Herreriano in Valladolid, Manga-Institute in  Krakow, Poland, Hong Kong Arts Centre in Hong Kong. His work has been included in group exhibitions at MUSA in Vienna, Helmhaus in  Zurich, Altonaer Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte in Hamburg, Kunsthaus Kaufbeuren, and the Goethe Institute in New Delhi, among many others.

Courtesy Edition Gerd Cantz