Sense of Wa(o)nder

by Max Ahlborn

April 4 – May 27, 2018
The Dark Room

Year after year, the world seems to get smaller. A journey that once would have taken months can now be completed in half a day. As the globe becomes more of a melting pot, we are now able to appreciate the culture of various worlds that were once unimaginable. However, just as the world shrinks, it is important to let local surroundings grow. As exciting as a transcontinental journey is, exploring a new area of your hometown can reveal just as many compelling instances. Every region is filled with hidden gems, many of which require a small step out of one’s comfort zone.

The goal of this series is to illustrate the extraordinary places, people, and cultures not only on the other end of the world but also just around the corner. Throughout these images, both the many striking similarities and drastic differences between these places becomes more apparent. From Hong Kong to St. Louis, I hope you enjoy exploring these cultures as much as I did.

About the artist

Focused on images from around the world, my photography has become by far my favorite reason to explore and meet new people. I enjoy shooting both Landscapes and Portraits, especially of people in their natural environment. I started shooting B&W and developing my own film in high school. However, it was not until my 2016 semester abroad in Hong Kong, armed with a full-frame DSLR, that I started to realize the joy of wandering with a camera. Since then I have become addicted to travel and exploration, both venturing to the other side of the world (when I have the money) or to new parts of my own neighborhood. Through my images I try to capture various cultures, people, and places, providing the viewer a look into different parts of the world.