Discover the haunting beauty of Mimi Mollica’s Moon City — a photographic journey that challenges how we see ourselves and our surroundings. This award-winning documentary photographer dives deep into themes of identity, environment, migration, and social change, creating work that resonates on both personal and societal levels. Not only is Mimi the creative force behind Offspring Photo Meet and the Sicily Photo Masterclass, but he has also authored celebrated books like Terra Nostra and East London Up Close, culminating in his latest thought-provoking project, Moon City.
Moon City, produced in collaboration with Dewi Lewis Publishing, is the result of over five years of meticulous work. Mollica combines images of the moon’s cratered landscape with towering urban skylines and candid shots of people navigating city streets. Using both telescope lenses and mobile phone cameras, he layers these scenes to create a poetic yet pressing reflection on how modern life traps and propels us simultaneously. This body of work doesn’t just show cityscapes and lunar surfaces; it questions the systems that confine us all.
Here’s something to note: until December 8, you can purchase limited edition prints celebrating the launch of this captivating series. This exclusive sale offers a rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of a project that explores profound ideas through stunning visuals.
For those eager to see the prints in person, Moon City will be exhibited at theprintspace located at 74 Kingsland Road. The show officially opens with a private viewing event on Friday, November 28. Attendance is free but spots are limited, so make sure to reserve your place here.
Moon City Series - 01
One morning stands out vividly in my memory because, for once, everything aligned perfectly. Typically, capturing these moments meant painstaking effort—setting up a tripod on the balcony, adjusting the viewfinder, framing the shot with a phone, focusing carefully, and patiently waiting for the perfect instant. But on this particular day, the sunrise greeted me beautifully, and within minutes, I was ready. Then came the CLICK. That single moment captured everything effortlessly.
Moon City Series – 02
Earthshine—the faint light illuminating the moon’s shadowed portion—is a magical phenomenon caused by sunlight reflecting off Earth. Sometimes called the "old moon in the arms of the new," it inspired this photograph, which I took during the Moon City crowdfunding campaign. That period was fraught with emotional highs and lows, uncertainty, and self-questioning. Throughout those five years, the moon often felt like a silent companion, guiding me. Balancing exposure for this shot was tricky, yet the result made all the challenges worthwhile.
Moon City Series – 03
This image is a personal favorite and even features on the cover of the book’s sleeve. The glowing aura around the building is due to lens aberration through my telescope, catching the moon’s last sunlight rays. I interpret those luminous rings as radio waves—symbolizing an ongoing, almost electric tension between the urban environment and the vast cosmos above. But here’s the part many might miss: is this tension a sign of conflict or harmony between humanity and nature?
Moon City Series – 04
This photograph captures the moon’s raw majesty with clarity and simplicity. Its soft color palette reminded me of the iconic NASA images that first ignited my passion for science and astrophysics. This timeless visual continues to captivate me—proof of how powerful and enduring such celestial imagery can be.
Moon City Series - 05
One of the latest additions to the series, this shot shows a British Airways airplane silhouetted against a half-moon backdrop. Capturing this image was particularly challenging—through a telescope, objects dart across the frame at momentary speeds far faster than street photography allows. Despite the difficulty, I’m genuinely proud of this photograph and the story it tells about fleeting connections between earthbound life and the sky.
Interested in owning a print? They are available for purchase here: guardianprintshop.com/pages/moon-city-series.
Pricing (excluding taxes and shipping):
- Small unframed (20x27cm), limited edition of 25: £70 net.
- Medium unframed (30x40cm), limited edition of 15: £80 net.
- Medium framed (30x40cm), limited edition of 15: £155 net.
- Large unframed (60x80cm), limited edition of 10: £225 net.
- Large framed (60x80cm), limited edition of 10: £395 net.
Shipping Costs:
- UK: £8.50
- Europe: £13.15
- US/Canada: £15
- Rest of World: £39
The prints are crafted on museum-quality, fine art paper, designed for archival longevity exceeding 100 years. Each piece undergoes expert printing and quality assurance by theprintspace, the UK's leading fine art and photographic print provider.
Shipping is carbon-neutral and packaged sustainably with full tracking and insurance worldwide. Theprintspace takes pride in ensuring your artwork arrives safely, backed by a satisfaction guarantee if you’re not entirely pleased.
To inquire or request more details, contact guardianprintsales@theprintspace.co.uk.
Does this project challenge your ideas about the relationship between urban life and nature? Or do you see it merely as a beautiful artistic experiment? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below!
