Can Dagarslani personifies serenity in photographic series at Bauhaus

Serenity, the state of being calm and collected, is a quality that each of us probably wish to attain fully. As a creative subject matter, the achievability of serenity intrigued photographer Can Dagarslani for a recent series that personifies its qualities.

After studying as an architect Can’s consideration of structure and space is evident within his photographs. Plush with sunlight and shot at the vast, open space of the Bauhaus in Dessau, the images question the existence of serenity in modern day life. “The starting point of the series became the contrast I wanted to create between the models and the three main colours of Bauhaus that are red, blue and yellow,” says the photographer.

As a series, the photographs focus upon, “symmetry, asymmetry, and the game that’s played when we mistake one for the other”. The result is a playful collection of photographs starring two charming characters, Adolfo and Gertrud, dressed to appear identical. “It’s a fond take on a playful theme,” Can tells It’s Nice That. “A humorous current that is felt in much of my work, and offers a lighter and brighter take on human relationships. It offers, in other words, a bit of artistic and compositional…serenity.”

The older couple featured in the series are a main attribute to the enticement of the photographs. “Models are important piece of the puzzle,” explains Can. “So I often search for them, and when we get in contact I try to analyse them to get a feel for whether or not they’re a perfect fit for the series, this in terms of personality and not just visuals. Adolfo and Gertrud were that ones for this series.”