NIGHT WALKS : Mischa Fanghaenel

NIGHT WALKS are Mischa Fanghaenel’s meditative exploration of urban life after dark, during which he captures the ephemeral beauty of fleeting lights. Shot entirely at night, his “Blurred” series reimagines bustling cityscapes - neons, street signs, and iconic landmarks - into diffuse, dreamlike compositions that evoke the sensory and psychological experience of nocturnal life.

 

Known for his evocative monochrome portraits, Fanghaenel’s work examines the human connection to nightlife, delving into the cultural and emotional impact of club culture. Fanghaenel’s sensitivity to light as both as a medium and as a narrative tool, defines his artistic practice. With “Blurred,” Fanghaenel shifts into abstraction, transforming familiar surroundings into surreal interpretations that encourage viewers to perceive the everyday from a fresh perspective. Printed on aluminum, the photographs achieve remarkable clarity and depth, the photographs radiate a tranquil glow, that encourages contemplation and a sense of solace in the serene allure of the nocturnal cityscape.

 

The Berlin Funkturm, affectionately known to Berliners as the "Lange Lulatsch," is a 146-meter-high steel radio tower that embodies cultural unity, technological innovation, and historical significance. Designed by architect Heinrich Straumer and inaugurated during the 1926 Great German Radio Exhibition, the Funkturm predates the Berlin TV Tower on Alexanderplatz by 43 years. It was a pioneer in broadcasting, hosting Germany's first radio transmissions and achieving the world's first television broadcast in 1932.

While its primary role as a broadcasting tower declined by the 1980s, the Funkturm remains an enduring cultural icon. Its Art Deco lattice design continues to inspire modern aesthetics, standing as a symbol of technological ambition and artistic elegance.

More than a structure, the Funkturm represents the flow of information, globalization, and interconnectedness. It has united communities through shared experiences of news, music, and celebrations, demonstrating resilience during crises and triumph in successful times. The tower’s legacy invites reflection on the delicate balance between permanence and transience, reminding us of the power of cultural memory to bridge past and present. During the ceremonious opening September 3, 1926, high-frequency technician Hans Bredow marked the occasion by reciting a dedicatory poem, the opening lines of which were as follows:

 

„Hoch vom Berliner Himmel umblaut,
Ist ein stählerner Turm gebaut.
Steil in die Berliner Luft,
Umleuchtet vom letzten Sommerduft.
Im neuen Berlin im Berliner Wind,
Das allerjüngste Berliner Kind!
Berliner Jahre werden gehn:
Sturm wird kommen der Turm wird stehn!“

 

“High in the Berlin sky, bathed in blue,

a steel tower has been built.

Steep in the Berlin air,

illuminated by the last scent of summer.

In the new Berlin in the Berlin wind,

the very youngest Berlin child!

Berlin years will pass:

storm will come, the tower will stand!”