Piotr Cieślak

Contest entry

My submission is a solarigraphic photograph that captures the interplay of time, light, and randomness, aligning with the themes of anomalous mathematical patterns. Solarigraphy is a photographic technique utilizing pinhole cameras for extended exposures, often spanning weeks or months. This method creates unique images that document the sun’s path across the sky and the surrounding environment, revealing hidden patterns shaped by both natural and stochastic processes.

In this work, the seemingly deterministic motion of the sun interacts with unpredictable factors such as weather changes, atmospheric conditions, and the imperfections of the handmade pinhole camera. These variables introduce an element of randomness that becomes integral to the final image. The resulting photograph is a visual representation of both order and chaos, showcasing how structured paths can intertwine with anomalies to create something both scientifically intriguing and aesthetically captivating.

Through this approach, I aim to explore the inherent unpredictability of natural systems and the beauty that emerges from it. Solarigraphy serves as a bridge between art and science, illustrating complex patterns and highlighting the relationship between mathematical abstraction and the organic randomness of the physical world. This work invites viewers to reflect on the hidden structures and anomalies that govern our universe.

Artist biography

I am a photographer, visual artist, and doctoral student at the Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa, Poland. In my artistic practice, I focus on exploring social spaces and their transformations. Alongside this, I enjoy working with alternative and experimental photographic techniques, including solarigraphy, which allows me to document the passage of time and introduce elements of unpredictability into my work. I am passionate about using non-standard tools and processes to discover new ways of seeing and interpreting the world. My projects have been presented in numerous exhibitions in Poland and abroad. In addition to my creative work, I teach photography and multimedia, encouraging students to explore both traditional and unconventional approaches to visual storytelling.