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In a world of constant pressures, uncertainty, and societal challenges, the question often arises about the role of art: does it serve as a form of activism or as a form of escapism? This dilemma opens up a wide range of discussions about the function of art in contemporary society. Amidst change and chaos, there is a quiet revolution in the art of simply being present. It is in the often-overlooked everyday moments that we find a serene kind of power. In „a faraway shining star, twinkling in hand“ (Fotografiska, Berlin, December 6, 2024 – April 20, 2025), Rinko Kawauchi (b. 1972) inspires us to slow down and reflect on how to make the most of living here and now.

Rinko Kawauchi, a celebrated Japanese fine art photographer, has captured the attention of the global photography community with her ethereal and poetic images. Known for her „ability to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary visual poetry,“ Kawauchi’s work resonates with themes of nature, fragility, and the passage of time.

The exhibition „a faraway shining star, twinkling in hand,“ curated by Jessica Jarl (Global Director of Exhibitions at Fotografiska) in collaboration with the artist, „immerses you in dreamy and poetic imagery, from childhood nostalgia to breathtaking depictions of nature.“ Through Kawauchi’s exploration of human impermanence and our planet’s future, she invites us to examine our lives here and now.

“As I gazed at this sight, I had the sense of being a fetus enveloped by the earth, and I felt a connection to this planet I have never felt before,” reflects Rinko Kawauchi.

Bringing together the personal and the universal, Kawauchi celebrates small, everyday situations in the face of grand natural phenomena. Her 2019 visit to Iceland allowed her to pause and reflect, inspiring her series „M/E,“ or „Mother Earth.“ She continued the project on the Japanese island of Hokkaido amid the COVID-19 pandemic and major life changes, such as becoming a parent.

Born in 1972 in Shiga, Japan, Rinko Kawauchi initially pursued graphic design and photography at Seian University of Art and Design. Her career began in the commercial photography sector during the 1990s. However, it was in 2001 that Kawauchi made a significant impact on the photography world with the simultaneous publication of three photobooks: „Utatane,“ „Hanabi,“ and „Hanako.“ These works established her as a unique voice in contemporary photography, blending the mundane with the magical.