Karolina Kowalska (b. 1978), Blood Moon from the series: Lunar Calendar/ Lunar Calender; 2018/2021

photograph, print on IMPRIME MNR260 Natural Rag photographic paper; 100 x 100 cm.
Ed. 1/3
Signed, dated, described: LUNAR CALENDAR / 2018 / photography / 100 x 100 cm / 1 of a series of 6 photographs - blood moon / edition 1/3.
Work exhibited at the individual exhibition KALENDAR LUNARNY, in the gallery of the Union of Polish Artists Photographers ZPAF in Krakow, 2021.

Artist and graphic designer. Her realizations are intermedia, she creates photographs, videos, objects, and site-specific installations, in which she often uses light. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow (1997-2002). She also studied film and animation at Hogeschool Gent. In 2006 she was invited to a residency program at Forum Stadtpark - Graz. In 2007 she received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Since 2009, she has participated in the Artist Pension Trust / Berlin program. In 2010-2011 she was an artist in residence at Location One in New York, organized in cooperation with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. She is a recipient of the Young Poland artistic scholarship from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage (2010). Her works are in the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow - MOCAK, Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology, Bunkier Sztuki, Artist Pension Trust / Berlin Collection and in private collections.
The photographs refer to observations of the phases of the Moon, its orbital movements around the Earth. The visibility of the Moon from Earth is related to natural phenomena, the refraction of light reflected by the Moon and the interaction of gravitational forces between the Earth, the Moon and the Sun.
The full lunar cycle is determined by a full calendar month, and the individual phases of the moon by individual weeks. A synodic month lasts about 29.5 days. The moon as a clock determines the seasons of the tides. From new to full it rises, then dies down for three days, after which it decreases until it completely disappears - the new moon, which also lasts consecutive days. The phases of the Moon (quarters) are due to the different angle of illumination of the Moon by the Sun. The Moon gives off light of 0.1 - 0.3 lux, in the tropics as much as 1 lux, just like a candle. When the moon is visible above the horizon line, it appears larger than when seen high in the sky. This is the phenomenon of lunar illusion - an illusion of the human mind.
It is due to the difference in perceived distance to objects in the sky above us and those on the horizon. The solar calendar replaced the lunar calendar over time, because the lunar calendar was not consistent with the cycles of the seasons. For the Slavs, the lunar cult was in close connection with the solar cult. Its symbolism was linked to both mortality and the ability to be reborn.