The exhibition Images of Light and Time invites you into the world of photographer and KCCC resident Audronius Žemgulys, where every frame is more than just a picture. The artist employs the wet-plate collodion process – a 19th-century photographic technique that demands absolute precision, patience, and mastery. With this method, images are captured on metal or glass plates, and the entire chemical process must be performed on the spot while the emulsion is still wet, so the “darkroom” travels with the photographer.
One of the show’s highlights is Queen of Midsummer, in which a cow stands motionless in a field. This shot presented both technical and creative challenges; the animal had to remain perfectly still for several seconds, while Žemgulys handled the full collodion process under open-air conditions.
Time itself is central to Žemgulys’ work, reflecting the hours spent hunting for the right light, shapes, silence, or motion. Each frame is not a random snapshot but a deliberate reflection on a moment. In our digital age, these analog works stand apart in their singularity. Every shot is one-of-a-kind; you can never replicate it exactly.
On display are works ranging from striking portraits to artistic coastal landscapes, inviting viewers to pause, focus on details, and immerse themselves in the subtle world of analog aesthetics. Black-and-white imagery strips away any color distractions, allowing you to concentrate on form, content, and emotion. Every grain, imperfection, and shadow becomes part of the visual narrative – and a true work of art.
The exhibition is curated by Martynas Lapas, Associate Professor at the Vilnius Academy of Arts.
