Gravity is a Problem
A Hartford MFA Group Photography Exhibition
Exhibition Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Villa Heike, Freienwalder Str. 17, 13055 Berlin
Participating Artists:
Mark Cáceres, Olive Froman, Jason Hendardy, Aidan Klimenko, Nicolas Mirzayantz, Lori Ordover, Sarah Samaan, William Stith, Daniel Trese, John Waller
BERLIN — Hosted by Villa Heike, the International Limited-Residency MFA in Photography program at the Hartford Art School / University of Hartford (US) presents Gravity is a Problem — a compelling group exhibition featuring ten photographers whose work explores the evolving tension between human interference with the natural environment and its cascading effects on our lived reality.
In an age defined by climate crisis, environmental collapse, and widespread displacement, Gravity is a Problem confronts the visual aftermath of ecological disruption. From industrial scars and scorched earth to urban expansion and polluted waterways, these images bear witness to the emotional and psychological toll extracted from both land and people.
The participating artists approach the medium from a range of perspectives — from emotionally driven responses to place, to formal investigations of photographic techniques. While some works directly confront the psychological and environmental toll of human-altered landscapes, others reflect a quieter, internal logic rooted in material experimentation and image-making itself. Together, these varied approaches open a dialogue about what it means to engage with the world — whether through direct commentary or through process, perception, and form.
Curated by Michael Vahrenwald, this exhibition features in-progress work by first-year students in the Hartford MFA program — the first International Limited-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Photography. The program is designed for both working professionals and emerging artists seeking to deepen their practice and build credentials as visual artists and educators.
For more information:
www.hartfordphotomfa.org
https://www.instagram.com/hartfordphotomfa
