The Knight, 2023
From series Chronicles of an Emerging Diversity
MEANING OF THE ARTWORK TITLE
Life in the universe began with chance collisions of particles, and in today’s underwater world, something similar is happening. Artificial life forms are emerging - not from nature, but from collisions of waste. Knights symbolize strength, wisdom, and majesty. This artwork invites self-reflection, reminding us to embody the values of knights: responsibility and wise decision-making.
30% of the NET price from each artwork sold is donated directly to support ecological projects, extending your impact beyond art.
ARTIST’S TECHNIQUE
To create these striking images, Alexej dives for hours, collecting floating plastic waste in large pockets. Before surfacing, he descends deeper, seeking a dark, natural background. Using strobe lights, he builds sculptures underwater from the collected waste to photograph them. Particles of sand and plankton reflect the strobe lights, creating an illusion of stars in a cosmic underwater setting.
THE STORY BEHIND
While documenting drifting and handing underwater debris, Alexej discovered that their shapes often resembled familiar forms, each bearing symbolic meanings. Inspired by these hidden messages, he began sculpting the debris underwater to emphasize powerful symbols, drawing attention to the urgent environmental crisis caused by pollution.
ARTIST’S QUOTE
“With this artwork, I want to reach decision-makers who are brave enough to be self-critical and take action to make the world better.”
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONS
This artwork has been internationally recognized with numerous awards:
- Finalist of Aesthetica Art Prize 2024
- Best of PhotoBasel 2024 according to The Guardian and PHmuseum
- Silver by Prix de la Photographie Paris 2023
- 2nd place in Science Tokyo Photography Awards 2023
AVAILABLE SIZES
30 x 40 cm, Edition of 20 + 2 artist's proofs
80 x 60 cm, Edition of 7 plus 2 artist's proofs
120 x 90 cm, Edition of 3 plus 2 artist's proofs
180 x 135 cm, Edition of 1
FRAMING
The artwork is printed on premium Hahnemühle FineArt paper, renowned for its exceptional quality and archival standards. The artwork in size 30x40 and 60x80 are elegantly framed in Halbe frames, protected by museum-grade glass to ensure long-lasting brilliance and clarity. Framing for bigger artworks will be discussed upon request.
Each artwork is delivered with two certificates of authenticity. One certificate is affixed to the artwork, while the second, an official Hahnemühle certificate, should be stored separately. Both certificates include matching, numbered holographic stickers.