New Photography Technique Reflects Themes of Anxiety

Gellage is a series by Czech photographer Michal Macku named after an intricate technique he developed. The term “gellage”–essentially a portmanteau of “collage” and “gelatin”–refers to a process that involves “the transfer of exposed and fixed photographic emulsion onto paper.” Macku's experimental practice takes liberties in moving the gelatinous emulsion on film negatives around, thereby altering the resulting image that gets printed in the dark room.

In the end, the innovative photographer's technique has produced a brilliant series of portraits that seem to be shredding themselves through the page. The artist's meticulous manipulation presents the naked human form, often the photographer himself, as an expressive figure attacking and ripping itself apart. There are heavy themes of anxiety, depression, self-hate, and self-harm reflected in the powerful works.






Michal Macku website
via [arpeggia]

Pinar

Pinar Noorata is the Managing Editor at My Modern Met. She is a writer, editor, and content creator based in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College and is an alumni of the Center for Arts Education’s Career Development Program in NYC. She has worked at major TV, film, and publishing companies as well as other independent media businesses. When she isn’t writing, editing, or creating videos herself, Pinar enjoys watching movies, reading, crafting, drawing, and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
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