PH21 Gallery - Silence

Silence is always juxtaposed against its opposites: sound, noise, and loudness. It is strongly associated with loneliness, alienation, the unknown and disturbing landscape on the one hand, and known tranquillity and peace on the other. Photographically, the contrast between deep darkness and dazzling light is also crucial. After natural or social catastrophes, everything falls silent: empty cities, villages, abandoned public transport and empty workplaces serve as reminders of the transience and fragility of humankind. Silence is accompanied by quiet activities such as contemplation and meditation, which negate the very nature of action itself. Additionally, silence is often present in still lifes, cityscapes, portraits, and many other photographic genres.