dark cloud / white light is a fully immersive, audiovisual synthaesthesic experience. It combines time-lapse, photography, landscape art and sound to create an intimate experience of awe and wonder.

Viewers become mesmerised by the pristine New Zealand wilderness as the work seamlessly transcends from day to night and back to day - a technique known as the ‘Holy Grail’ of time-lapse photography.

Each looping landscape features an original music soundtrack, individually composed specifically for the work. This includes collaborations with Rhian Sheehan, Michael Hodgson, Claire Cowan, Keith Ballantyne, Tristan Dingemans and William Basinski.

A behind the scenes documentary (exhibiting alongside the artworks) shows the remarkable journey Michael embarked on to capture these frames over two years.

dark cloud / white light exhibited at Pataka Art + Museum (14 July - 13 October 2013) and Waterfront Auckland's Silo Park Gallery (January 2014), Pah Homestead Auckland (August 2014) and during Wanaka's festival of colour (April 2015) with over 130,000 people viewing Michael's work to date.

Four artworks from dark cloud / white light received honorable mentions at the International Photography awards.

A short essay on the exhibition can be accessed here. 

Sample Works:

Kā Mauka Whakatipu — resilience →

Ki Piopiotahi — to catch the sun →

Watch Michael's TEDx Talk here →