About Mischa
Mischa Fanghaenel is a Berlin-based artist, photographer, and bouncer who immerses himself in the city's vibrant nightlife, capturing its pulsating essence through striking monochrome photography. For Fanghaenel, photography transcends mere representation; while color images illuminate the immediate world, black and white photography evokes a deeper cosmic resonance that connects us to a universe woven from light and shadow.
A self-taught visionary with over 20 years of experience, Fanghaenel focuses primarily on human subjects within Berlin's nightlife. His acclaimed series, NACHTS and Nightwatch, presents club culture as a rich nocturnal universe teeming with diverse narratives. Though his work may appear as portraiture at first glance, it transcends simple classification, unveiling profound insights into the lifestyles and cultures that thrive after dark. His subjects embody both individuality and a shared sense of community, each image capturing the unique atmospheres of the city.
Masterfully manipulating light and shadow through chiaroscuro techniques, Fanghaenel's compositions evoke emotive depth and texture. His signature use of softened luminosity enhances the silhouettes of his subjects, creating captivating visual narratives that invite viewers to engage with the layers hidden within each frame. This optical connection heightens the emotional resonance of his work, transforming each subject into a visual exploration of existence and challenging stereotypes while fostering dialogue about identity within Berlin's lively cultural landscape.
In addition to his monochrome work, Fanghaenel's BLURRED series delves into urban landscapes through the lens of color photography. By skillfully manipulating focus, he reinterprets city landmarks into vibrant abstract forms, crafting diffuse images that explore the psycho-phenomenological dimensions of nocturnal city life. This series emphasizes the interplay between the city's architecture and its atmospheric conditions, offering a unique perspective.
Envisioning his photography as a catalyst for social change, Fanghaenel's forthcoming projects will address themes of migration and cultural convergence within Berlin's multicultural framework. As he prepares for his exhibition featuring the NACHTS series at the Fotografiska Berlin Museum of Photography in 2025, Fanghaenel stands at the forefront of contemporary art. His work serves as a powerful testament to the transformative energy of the city and the ability of photography to illuminate the complex stories of human experience. Through his lens, Fanghaenel encapsulates the essence of life in Berlin—an energetic space where culture, identity, and artistry converge in a vibrant mosaic.
28.01-10.03.2025 NACHTS Fotografiska Berlin
03.10-30.10.2024 Glasgow Gallery of Photography Glasgow
02.10-12.10.2024 NACHTS Studio Amore Stuttgart
07.09-19.09.2024 BLURRED Berlin Art Week Wilhelm Hallen Berlin
15.05.2024 I MAKE PICTURES Quantum Oddity Gallery Berlin
13.12.2023 NACHTS Centre Pompidou Paris
17.09.2023 NACHTS Achtberlin Berlin
17.09-17.10.2021 PAINT AND GRAIN Laborgh Berlin
17.06-26.06.2020 St Agnes König Gallery Berlin
18.04.2019 adidas Moscow Night Moscow
28.09-05.10.2018 FOYOU ART Berlin
18.08.2018 Opening THE FOLD London
29.06-05.08.2018 THE DEN Creation/Construction Soloshow Berlin
12.04-15.04.2018 Art Week Stockholm EAF Stockholm
15.09-22.09.2017 FOYOU ART Berlin
14.09-17.09.2017 BERLINER LISTE Berlin
01.07-08.07.2017 8 Tage Marzahn Berlin
21.04-24.05.2017 THE BALLERY Solo Show Berlin
04.02-19.02.2017 EnterArtFoundation Berlin