LOOK Photo Biennial 2024: Beyond Sight at Open Eye Gallery

LOOK Photo Biennial is back at Liverpool’s Open Eye Gallery with its 2024 edition Beyond Sight. Following on from the LOOK Climate Lab which explores how photography can be a tool for tackling the climate crisis, the exhibition gathers photographic projects from three artists. 

Protege Noctem by Mattia Balsamini is a beautiful realisation of a very poignant theme – the disappearance of night, or pure darkness. The artist uses photography to research this phenomenon, which has been evolving over recent decades and shows no signs of slowing down – our night skies have been invaded by light pollution in the form of artificial light despite the need for darkness being essential for whole species of animals as well as for our own health. Protege Noctem records the unofficial alliance between citizens and scientists, both fighting for the protection of night. The collected photographs are diverse, from portraiture to records of light pollution in outer space, making for fascinating viewing. 

Melanie King’s project Precious Metals is visually not too far from Protege Noctem, yet focuses on the life cycle of silver and palladium. From its very first beginning in space and extraction to its eventual uses in photography, King focuses on sustainability and suggesting alternatives that do less harm to the environment. 

Lastly, Stephanie Wynne presents Erosion, a project exploring structural waste post-WW2, and how it was reused or removed. It asks questions about the state of a city or natural landscape after a conflict, triggering what is sadly a timely dialogue relating to the ongoing conflicts around the world today. Wynne’s early training was in urban planning which informs her photographic practice now. 

Viewers can also enjoy the Digital Window exhibition, Blast Sheets by Max Boardman as well as other upcoming events as part of the LOOK Photo Biennial this year.