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Bauhaus pioneer László Moholy-Nagy's 'Light Play' exhibition opens in Thessaloniki
🇬🇷 Greece /Culture & Society

Bauhaus pioneer László Moholy-Nagy's 'Light Play' exhibition opens in Thessaloniki

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new exhibition in Thessaloniki explores the experimental work of Bauhaus artist László Moholy-Nagy, focusing on his innovative use of photography and light.
  • The exhibition, "László Moholy-Nagy. Light Play," showcases 68 works that highlight his pioneering relationship with light, shadow, and motion.
  • Curator Jessica Jarl discusses Moholy-Nagy's enduring relevance, particularly his ideas on the camera as a "new tool of vision" in the age of AI and rapid image consumption.

Thessaloniki is hosting "László Moholy-Nagy. Light Play," an exhibition that delves into the multifaceted work of the Hungarian Bauhaus artist. Moholy-Nagy, known as a painter, photographer, set designer, teacher, and theorist, fundamentally challenged the perception of light, viewing the camera not merely as a recording device but as an instrument for discovering reality.

The camera was not a tool for copying reality but an instrument for discovering it; a 'new tool of vision,' as he called it, capable of teaching us to see differently.

— László Moholy-NagyDescribing his philosophy on the role of the camera in art and perception.

This exhibition, presented for the first time in Greece at the MOMus-Thessaloniki Museum of Photography until November 15, 2026, features 68 works. These pieces illuminate Moholy-Nagy's experimental and often radical approach to light, shadow, and movement. The collection aims to bring visitors closer to both the pioneering modernist artist and the curious individual behind the lens.

Curator Jessica Jarl, who leads the international exhibition program at Fotografiska, highlights Moholy-Nagy's profound impact on photography. She notes that while many associate him with the Bauhaus, this exhibition reveals the centrality of photography and film in his artistic pursuits, presenting them as the core of his creative inquiry rather than secondary activities. The display also includes personal photographs, offering a more intimate glimpse into his life and insatiable curiosity.

As you say, most people associate him mainly with the Bauhaus. But the exhibition reveals a different side of him. It highlights how central photography and film were to his work and thought, not as side activities but as the core of his artistic quest.

— Jessica JarlDiscussing how the exhibition reveals a lesser-known aspect of Moholy-Nagy's work.

Jarl emphasizes Moholy-Nagy's continued relevance in today's image-saturated world. His work addresses contemporary issues such as image construction, the role of technology, and evolving modes of perception. In an era of rapid image production and consumption, his concept of the camera as a "new tool of vision" resonates powerfully, offering insights into how we see and how we ought to see the world, even in the age of smartphones and AI-generated imagery.

Moholy-Nagy is pivotal for understanding photography as an experimental and conceptual medium. His work touches on issues that are extremely relevant today: the construction of the image, the role of technology, and the way we see.

— Jessica JarlExplaining the contemporary relevance of Moholy-Nagy's artistic ideas.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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