Mimi Mollica's Moon City photos show London's ambition against the moon

Mimi Mollica's "Moon City" project took photos from 2020-2023. The book shows the moon over London's tall buildings.
By Newsroom | Art, Photography |

The "Moon City" project, a photographic endeavor by Mimi Mollica, presents images of the moon juxtaposed with the urban landscape of London. The work explores themes of human ambition, societal condition, and the ephemeral nature of daily pursuits when viewed against a larger cosmic order.

Mimi Mollica, a photographer, has undertaken a project titled "Moon City," which spans from 2020 to 2023. This series of photographs features the moon positioned against the backdrop of London's architecture, particularly its financial district. The project has culminated in a photography book of the same name. Mollica has stated that the images are not driven by scientific curiosity or a romanticized view of the moon, but rather serve as a contemplative anchor.

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Project Origins and Creation

Mollica's fascination with capturing the moon over London appears to have stemmed from a personal experience. He recounts a time when his young daughter, Nora, perceived the moon as following them. This personal connection may have informed his decision to use his iPhone 13 Mini, aimed at the viewfinder of his telescope, to capture these images. He has noted that he would wake around 4 am in mid-spring, suggesting a dedicated effort to photograph the moon during specific times. The "Moon City" project involved prolonged observations over five years, evolving into a sustained inquiry.

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Thematic Explorations

  • Urban Ambition vs. Cosmic Scale: The photographs frequently frame the moon against London's financial district. This juxtaposition is intended to reframe the city's symbols of ambition and capitalism. The project invites viewers to reflect on the fleeting nature of these human pursuits and their perceived insignificance against the vastness of the cosmos.

  • Contemporary Condition: "Moon City" is described as a meditation on our current state, a world caught between wonder and control, introspection and acceleration, and the individual versus the machine. The project utilizes subtle distortions and aberrations to encourage viewers to look upward and consider the forces that shape existence.

  • Disconnection and Accumulation: Some interpretations of the work suggest that blurred figures in the images evoke social disconnection, while the glass towers of the city symbolize progress built on unchecked accumulation.

  • Celestial and Urban Dialogue: The project explores the dialogue between the celestial and the urban, with the moon acting as a constant presence in contrast to the transient preoccupations of daily life.

Artistic Approach and Medium

Mollica's approach in "Moon City" is not scientifically rigorous nor is it purely romantic. Instead, it is characterized as a "hallucinatory flow" that prompts pause and reflection. The images are often captured using a telephoto lens, intertwining with the city's structures and the details of passersby. This method allows for a unique perspective on the interplay between the sky and the urban environment. The book "Moon City" serves as a conduit for this artistic exploration.

Public Reception and Availability

The "Moon City" series has garnered attention through various platforms, including articles in The Guardian, Blind Magazine, and News Minimalist. Images from the "Moon City" series are also available for purchase through guardianprintshop.com. Specific pieces within the series have been highlighted, such as an image featuring a British Airways airplane silhouetted against a half-moon, and another that appears on the cover of the book's sleeve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Mimi Mollica's "Moon City" project about?
Mimi Mollica's "Moon City" is a photo project from 2020-2023. It shows pictures of the moon over London's buildings, especially the financial area. The photos make people think about human goals compared to the big universe.
Q: How did Mimi Mollica take the "Moon City" photos?
Mimi Mollica used his iPhone 13 Mini to take photos through a telescope. He often woke up early, around 4 am, during spring. He spent five years working on this project to capture the moon over London.
Q: What themes does the "Moon City" project explore?
The project explores how London's busy city life and human goals look small next to the vastness of space. It also looks at how people feel today, between wanting to control things and feeling rushed, and the idea of always wanting more.
Q: Where can I see or buy Mimi Mollica's "Moon City" photos?
The "Moon City" project has been shown in articles by The Guardian and others. You can buy prints from the series on guardianprintshop.com. The project is also in a book called "Moon City".
Q: When was the "Moon City" project created?
The "Moon City" project was created between 2020 and 2023. Mimi Mollica spent about five years observing and taking photos for this series.