Public Project
Eschaton
Summary
It is a question of thinking this time of the end to avoid the end of time. Paradoxically, it is a step aside that allows this frontal view: the shift of the photographic view joins here the philosophical marginality; both combine amazement in front of life and questioning of its meaning, converging towards the same ethical commitment for the future.
His work captures the tension between awe for the beauty of the present and the constant awareness of its impermanence.Koch’s use of black and white in Eschaton serves to decontextualize his images, creating an abstraction that transcends the boundaries of time and space. This aesthetic choice allows viewers to focus on composition and contrast, while also inviting them to engage with deeper philosophical questions about the human condition. The monochrome treatment reinforces the idea of a world in suspension—caught between an uncertain future and a past that cannot be changed.The series draws inspiration from philosophers like Kierkegaard, whose observation that “the world will end to the applause of those who believe it’s a farce” captures humanity’s collective indifference to looming environmental, political, and social crises. Koch’s photographs reflect this willful ignorance of impending disaster, posing the question of what will remain when humanity reaches its own end.
With Eschaton, Koch encourages the viewer to reflect deeply on the fragility of the world and the necessity of recognizing our responsibility in ensuring humanity’s survival. His images act as both silent warnings and poetic testimonies to the imminence of change, urging a sense of urgency and awareness.
Matthias Koch is an artist and photographer originally from Germany. He lived and worked in Chile, Venezuela, Mexico and France and currently established his basecamp in the South of France.
Discover his work on www.matthiaskoch.co
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