Photo: Jose Pando Lucas

Portuguese street artist Alexandre Farto, also known as Vhils, rose to fame thanks to his innovative technique of drilling portraits onto the surface of walls. Now, his career is being celebrated with a major exhibition at Munich's Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA). Strata is a comprehensive look at Vhils' artistic production over the last two decades.

From his iconic Scratching the Surfaces series, which sees him carving the urban environment to create his portraits, to large-scale installations and mixed-media projects, the works on display show his versatility as an artist. Starting with his early work and including some never-before-seen pieces, Strata is a fascinating glimpse into Vhils' creative development.

The exhibition's title, Strata, is fitting, as it is the plural of “stratum.” This word, which is defined as “one of the parts or layers into which something is separated,” perfectly sums up Vhils' work. Whether he is slicing through layers of a billboard or carving through sections of plaster, his work is an investigation that peels back the levels of the city.

Visitors to the exhibition can expect an immersive experience, with Vhils offering a combination of textures, layers, and materials—including concrete, wood, metal, paper, and video installation. Combining this with personal archival material, the show crafts a powerful narrative that connects deeply with visitors.

Strata is on view at MUCA through November 30, 2025, and is an unmissable event for any lover of contemporary urban art.

Portuguese street artist Vhils is being celebrated with a major exhibition at Munich's Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA).

Photo: Alexander Silva

Photo: Jose Pando Lucas

Photo: Jose Pando Lucas

Photo: Alexander Silva

Visitors can expect an immersive experience featuring a diverse range of works, including video installations and personal archival materials.

Photo: Jose Pando Lucas

Photo: Jose Pando Lucas

Photo: Alexander Silva

Photo: Alexander Silva

Photo: Jose Pando Lucas

Photo: Alexander Silva

Exhibition Information:
Vhils
Strata
March 12, 2025–November 30, 2025
Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA)
Hotterstraße 12, Munich, Germany

Vhils: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by MUCA.

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READ: 20 Years of Vhils’ Exceptional Art Now on View in Retrospective Exhibition

Twenty-year-old AJ Smadi may have only been practicing astrophotography for two years, but his skills have already been garnering attention. One of his images has even been selected as NASA’s Astronomy Photo of the Day. Last month, he showed off his talents with an incredible photo of a solar eclipse on Saturn. This gas giant will be seeing quite a few eclipses in the near future, and Smadi made sure he was ready with his equipment to capture the event.

Saturn has more moons than any other planet in our solar system, with a total of 145 confirmed satellites. But only seven of these are large enough to eclipse the sun, casting a shadow on the planet’s surface. In the next few months, one of Saturn’s largest moons, Titan, will transit the planet several times before taking a break until 2040.

Knowing that these events were about to happen, Smadi used the Stellarium sky app to track the eclipse. Luckily, it was visible not far from his location in Washington, and so he set out with his telescope, camera, and infrared filter. Setting up at 1 a.m., he waited several hours until Saturn was high enough to image. After the shoot, he stacked thousands of images using video captures into one final, incredible photo.

In it, Titan’s shadow is clearly visible on Saturn’s surface. But that’s not the only fascinating element of Smadi’s photo, as several other moons are also visible. Smadi posted a helpful image with labels to allow everyone to clearly see Dione, Tethys, and Enceladus. And, of course, Saturn’s stunning rings are ever-present, rendered in crisp detail.

Smadi’s prowess at planetary imaging is astounding considering his age and level of experience, making us excited to see how his skills will continue to grow and develop.

To stay updated with his work, follow AJ Smadi on Instagram.

Amateur astrophotographer AJ Smadi captured amazing images of a solar eclipse on Saturn.

The planet’s moon Titan caused the eclipse, but Smadi captured much more than that in his images.

 

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AJ Smadi: Instagram | Reddit

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by AJ Smadi.

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Sumatran tiger

Driven by his passion for tigers, photographer Vladimir Cech Jr. spent four years visiting Southeast Asia’s jungles to capture images of the rare Sumatran tiger. This critically endangered species is rarely photographed in the wild, but Cech’s tenacity—and camera traps—made his dream a reality. The resulting portfolio of imagery is a wonderful look at life below the jungle canopy, giving a glimpse inside a world that often goes unseen.

Cech first began his project in 2019, and put diligent time and effort into it, even during the difficult years of COVID-19. By installing homemade DSLR camera traps, he hoped to document the elusive Sumatran tiger, but this proved to be more challenging than he had imagined. While the camera traps documented plenty of the jungle’s inhabitants, he continued to turn up empty-handed when it came to the tiger. But all that changed in the fall of 2024.

“I thought I was dreaming,” he tells My Modern Met when recalling the moment he first saw the tiger on film. All of his hard work had come to fruition, allowing him to fulfill his goal of shedding light on the Sumatran tiger and its plight.

This tiger, the smallest surviving subspecies, has seen its habitat reduced to a small area and faces significant risks. Poaching and habitat loss are major contributing factors. Deforestation for oil palm plantations is particularly devastating, as these tigers prefer large, undisturbed areas of forest to thrive. While many tigers live on protected land, poaching is still a harsh reality, particularly as their bones and other body parts continue to be used in Eastern medicine.

While Cech’s series has gone as viral as he’d wanted, he’s still hopeful that it can make an impact. “Hopefully, it will have the reach that the Sumatran tiger deserves.” In the meantime, he continues his documentation in Sumatra and is working on a new project to fulfill another of his big dreams. Stay tuned and follow Vladimir Cech Jr. on Instagram to see what he’s up to on this secret mission.

Since 2019, Vladimir Cech Jr. has been traveling to Indonesia in the hopes of photographing the Sumatran tiger.

This critically endangered tiger is found only in the jungles of Sumatra.

Cech has been placing homemade camera traps for years and has captured numerous forest inhabitants.

Sun bear

Sumatran serow

Banded linsang

Southern pig-tailed macaque

Porcupine

Langur monkey

Thomas's langur

But it wasn’t until the fall of 2024 that he finally got a glimpse of the elusive tiger.

Vladimir Cech Jr.: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Vladimir Cech Jr.

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READ: Photographer Spend Years Traveling to Sumatra to Track Elusive Tiger

Artist Cathy Camille is known for her delightful paintings of clouds, showing their ephemeral beauty through delicate, detailed artwork. With NUAGE, she’s combining the fleeting nature of clouds with the timeless strength of wood. The series celebrates the juxtaposition of old and new with a set of new oil paintings surrounded by refurbished antique frames that the artist sourced across Europe.

These frames, repainted in hues that mirror the artwork, serve as a point of renewal, demonstrating the power of transformation. In some way, Camille’s clouds do the same. As viewers, we know these clouds are temporary. Soon, they’ll begin to dissolve and fade away, only to be replaced by something new. In this way, Camille’s art asks us to reflect on the cyclical nature of time and to embrace the moment while it lasts.

“With NUAGE, I want to remind us that what’s old can be reimagined, and what fades still matters,” the artist shares. “Each piece in this collection lives in that space between past and present, between what endures and what disappears. In many ways, that’s where we all live: somewhere between memory and becoming.”

The small paintings, some measuring just 6 inches by 6 inches, are filled with rich detail. Taking advantage of oil paint's ability to create light, Camille renders everything from fiery orange sunsets to delicate pink hues creeping into the afternoon sky. Each piece is a triumph, with the artist using her skills to build up clouds with realistic volume that somehow retain a light, airy feeling.

Scroll down for more images from NUAGE and stay up to date with Camille's work by following her on Instagram.

Cathy Camille is known for her delicate paintings of clouds.

Her new series of oil paintings, NUAGE, juxtaposes old and new with paintings surrounded by refurbished antique frames.

These frames, repainted in hues that reflect the artwork, serve as a point of renewal, demonstrating the power of transformation.

Taking advantage of oil paint's ability to create light, Camille renders everything from fiery orange to delicate pink hues.

Cathy Camille: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Cathy Camille.

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“Fireworks” by Bence Tóth, Péter Feltóti, Bertalan Kecskés
The image shows M33, the Triangulum Galaxy from a new perspective. Due to tidal interaction with M31, there is very prominent star-forming activity in M33, which results in a spectacular structure of emission nebulae. During processing, a separate SHO picture was created with a strong SII/H-alpha presence, the glowing red structures in the picture, and blended with a high-resolution LRGB processing of the continuum data, representing the ‘background’ light.
Location: Sződliget, Pest and Törökkoppány, Somogy, Hungary, 2–4, 9, 23,30 November, 1, 27 and 28 December 2024

Dazzling galaxies, colorful Northern Lights, and the fiery sun are just some of the celestial bodies and natural phenomena that made the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist. Organized by Royal Observatory Greenwich, supported by ZWO and in association with BBC Sky at Night Magazine, the competition received over 5,500 entries from amateur and professional astrophotographers.

While the winners won’t be announced until September, the competition has given us a sneak peek at what we can expect by releasing its shortlist of finalists. From incredible solar prominences to solar eclipses, the images are a record of the year in astronomy. And in a new development, the annual Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation has been renamed. The Annie Maunder Open Category is a playground for photographers to experiment and showcase their creative approaches to astrophotography.

Now in its 17th year, the contest will once again award winners across nine categories, as well as two special prizes and an overall winner. Scroll down to see our favorite images from the 2025 shortlist and then head over to the official website to see all the finalists.

The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest has released the shortlist of its 17th annual contest.

“500,000-km Solar Prominence Eruption” by PengFei Chou
On 7 November 2024, the Sun experienced a massive solar prominence eruption, with a length exceeding 500,000 km (311,000 miles). The eruption lasted approximately one hour from its initial outburst to its conclusion. The eruption phase of the prominence is composed of more than 20 stacked data sets, highlighting the entire process of this spectacular event.
Location: Eastern New District, Xinxing County, Guangdong province, China, 7 November 2024

“Aurora Over Mono Lake: A Rare Dance of Light” by Daniel Zafra
This photograph captures the rare occurrence of Northern Lights in California. Vibrant ribbons of magenta and green light up the sky, reflecting in the still waters among the rock formations.
Location: US 395, Mono Lake, Mono County, USA, 10 October 2024

“Moonrise Perfection Over the Dolomites” by Fabian Dalpiaz
The full Moon rising above the rugged peaks of the Dolomites. With no clouds in sight and in flawless conditions, the golden light of sunset bathes the mountains, creating harmony between Earth and sky.
Location: Santuario di Pietralba, Deutschnofen, South Tyrol, Italy, 15 November 2024

“Solar System Portrait” by Sophie Paulin
This image presents all the planets of our Solar System, excluding Earth, showcasing their unique characteristics. Mercury, the closest to the Sun, is a barren, cratered world, while Venus is shrouded in thick clouds. Mars, the Red Planet, has vast deserts and the largest volcano in the Solar System. The gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, dominate with their immense size and swirling storms, while Saturn’s rings make it especially striking. Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants, are rich in methane, giving them their blue hue.
Location: Bobingen, Bavaria, Germany, 11 September 2023, 7 September, 29 August, and 28 December 2024

“Eight-Panel Mosaic of M31: Stars, Nebulae and Central Bulge” by Chuhong Yu, Jingyao Hong, Xi Zhu, Yaguang Wan
This image shows countless resolved stars, emission nebulae, and a mysterious central bulge. The photo is incredibly detailed, the mist surrounding the galaxy is actually tens of thousands of yellowish tiny stars.
Location: Daocheng County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, 30–31 October, 1–6, 20–30 November, 1–10 and 20–31 December 2024

“Dragon Tree Trails” by Benjamin Barakat
A solitary dragon tree stands tall in the heart of Socotra’s Dragon Blood Tree forest – an otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. The final image is composed of 300 individual exposures.
Location: Firmihin Forest, Hidaybu District, Yemen, 13 March 2024

“Close-up of a Comet” by Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger
The photographers traveled to Namibia to view Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in the southern hemisphere. Due to the angle of the observation, the dust and ion tails seem to have overlapped, but the impact of solar winds on the day caused noticeable kinks in the ion tail.
Location: Tivoli Astrofarm, Windhoek Rural, Namibia, 30 September 2024

The photo contest received over 5,500 entries from amateur and professional astrophotographers.

“Gateway to the Galaxy” by Yujie Zhang
Under the night sky, several black geometric buildings appear to stand on the water’s surface, resembling gateways to the galaxy. The bright Milky Way stretches across the sky behind them, with stars twinkling. The reflections of the buildings shimmer in the water, blending reality and illusion, as if opening a passage to the mysteries of the Universe, inspiring endless reverie and a longing to explore the vast starry sky.
Location: Songyang County, China, 10 August 2024

“Kongen” by Filip Hrebenda
The photograph captures a remote location on the Senja Peninsula in northern Norway. In the foreground, birch trees beautifully reflect the colors of the dancing aurora in the sky.
Location: Stavelitippen, Fjordgård, Norway, 12 September 2024

“Encounter Within One Second” by Zhang Yanguang
This image captures the International Space Station (ISS) transiting across the solar disc. The solar background was captured separately with double-stacked etalon[an optical filter that isolates specific wavelengths, used to observe solar details], and reveals high-contrast chromospheric details. The imaging sequences were strategically combined during post-processing to preserve both the spacecraft’s crisp silhouette and the Sun’s intricate surface features.
Location: Xiamen, Fujian, China, 24 January 2025

“Blood Moon Rising Behind the City Skyscrapers” by Tianyao Yang
This photograph captures a red Full Moon rising beside Shanghai’s tallest skyscrapers in Lujiazui. Taken from a distance of 26.5 km (16.5 miles) from the skyscrapers in a single exposure, this image’s alignment took five years of planning. The Full Moon appears perfectly positioned next to the illuminated skyline, creating a striking contrast.
Location: Jiading District, Shanghai, China, 21 July 2024

“Abell 85: Pomegranate in the Universe” by Deqian Li
Abell 85 is a supernova remnant situated in the Milky Way galaxy that appears to some to be shaped like a pomegranate. This target is faint. The OIII signal in particular is exceedingly weak. To fully capture the signal, Deqian Li spent six days camping in Hongyuan County.
Location: Hongyuan County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, and Yingshan County, Nanchong, Sichuan, China, 30, 31 August, 1 and 3–5 September 2024

“Electric Threads of the Lightning Spaghetti Nebula” by Shaoyu Zhang
This full-spectrum image of the Spaghetti Nebula unveils the faint and elusive nature of this supernova remnant (SNR), hidden behind a vast cloud of dust that obstructs its emission light. To enhance its visual appeal, Shaoyu Zhang dedicated considerable time to capturing OIII data, intensifying the blue and green hues, while allowing SII and H-alpha to support high dynamic range stretching for added depth.
Location: Deep Sky Chile Observatory, Camino del Observatorio, Río Hurtado, Chile and Xiangcheng, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, 21, 24 and 25 December 2024, 3–5, 15, 16, 19–31 January, 1–6, 10–19 February 2025

“NGC 2997: The Antlia Cabbage Galaxy” by Xinran Li
NGC 2997 is a barred spiral galaxy (type SBc) in the constellation of Antlia. At 35 million light years distance, it has a visual magnitude of about 9.5, making it visible with binoculars in dark sites. The region is full of background H-alpha emissions, giving wonderful color to the image.
Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile, 23 January, 4–5 February 2025

Astronomy Photographer of the Year: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

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“Simple Happiness” by Amir Behroozi (Iran). Taken in Iran, 2015

What does the word “joy” mean to you? This is a question that 56 photographers from 22 countries answered with their images for the third edition of the In Colors Project, which is themed around this concept. The resulting exhibition of 75 works offers a poignant glimpse into what joy looks like around the world.

In Colors Project: JOY is an initiative by Lumicroma. This Portugal-based online magazine and photography platform came to fruition during the pandemic as a way to promote visual culture. Now, it has expanded into a physical location, with JOY on view at the Centro de Arte de São João da Madeira in Portugal, as well as Lumicroma's website.

Curated by Aníbal Lemos and Sandra Maria Teixeira, the exhibition shows joy in myriad forms. From a toddler playing on a rainy day to a man taking in a glacier under the Milky Way, these visuals give meaning to an abstract emotional concept. As a viewer, it's fascinating to see which images resonate with our own personal feelings around joy and which others push us to reconsider our own definitions.

Scroll down for a preview of the exhibition and then head to the Lumicroma website to view all of the images and vote for your favorite.

The In Colors Project: JOY exhibition is a fascinating look at what this emotion means to photographers around the world.

“Untitled” by Juan Rodríguez Morales (Spain). Taken in Pontevedra, Spain, 2020

“Ode to Glaciers: Sentinels of Climate Change” by Luigi Vagamo (Italy). Oulettes, France, 2024

“Via Sant'Agostino” by Lucrezia Testa Iannilli (Italy). Taken in Palermo, Italy, 2019

“The Little Prince” by Ângela Berlinde (Portugal). Taken in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2004

“Christening of an Artisan Fishing Boat” by Paulo Monteiro (Portugal). Taken in Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel Island, Portugal, 1998

Exhibition Information:
In Colors Project: JOY
July 5, 2025–September 27, 2025
Photography Gallery, Centro de Arte de São João da Madeira
Rua Paula Rego, São João da Madeira, Portugal

Lumicroma: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Lumicroma.

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Born and bred in Bushwick, Joe Ficalora has transformed the face of his neighborhood, transforming it into an open-air art museum with a project he calls the Bushwick Collective. But Ficalora is not your typical art curator. In fact, one could say he's an accidental art curator who, in the best way, used his personal pain to reshape his environment.

In 2011, after losing his mother to a devastating battle with brain cancer, Ficalora was looking for a change. So he began searching the internet for street artists who could transform neighborhood walls with their art. Even though he had no connections or experience with the art world, he took a chance and invited several artists to come and paint. And in June 2012, the Bushwick Collective was born.

Over the past 13 years, Ficalora's personal initiative has changed Bushwick and drawn top-tier local and international talent. Everyone from legendary street artists Blek le Rat and Jef Aerosol to My Modern Met favorites Dasic and Alice Pasquini have left their mark on Bushwick's walls.

What makes the Bushwick Collective unique in terms of street art projects is its scope, which moves far beyond the aesthetics of the finished artwork. Ficalora cares deeply that anyone who brings their work to the neighborhood understands its history and is passionate about being part of the community. And each year, an annual block party brings that community out en masse—a stark contrast to Ficalora's days growing up there in the 90s, when he wasn't allowed to play outside for safety reasons.

My Modern Met had the chance to speak with Ficalora about the history of the Bushwick Collective and where he sees it headed. Read on for our exclusive interview.

 

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A post shared by Bushwick Collective (@thebushwickcollective)

How did you know that the Bushwick Collective was really starting to take off?

I didn't, I just kept doing it because it made me feel less pain from my loss and the void of my mother no longer being around. People, including family, started to come together, and it was my therapy. I'd say three years into it, I realized I had a greater responsibility to others whom this project has affected and inspired.

Tymon de Laat for The Bushwick Collective

Mate for The Bushwick Collective

How has it helped shape or make a difference in the community?

It has brought the whole world together and created a home for people who love what they are doing with life, not just artists….volunteers, lawyers, doctors, marketing executives, photographers, families. I have received messages even last week to ask when we are hosting our annual event, so they can plan their family trip to America around it. It's a platform for everyone to do what they love and give more of themselves than they receive.

Enzo for The Bushwick Collective

Golden305 for The Bushwick Collective

Over a decade in, how has the Bushwick Collective evolved?

It has evolved organically through the blessings of all the souls and hearts that have contributed to this family. Bushwick Collective has its own soul and has grown through the years. Life is about evolving and changing to be better each day we get blessed to be here.

What is your current process for selecting artists who participate?

You must be dedicated to your craft, passionate, and an all-around good human being. Life is way too short not to give it your all!

Stash & Patrick Kane McGregor collaboration for The Bushwick Collective

What do you see for the future of the Bushwick Collective?

I never planned this, and just like life, none of us knows what's to come. I'll just keep being true to my passion for this project and the beautiful people who have helped build it and have helped me put my broken heart back together

Bushwick Collective Artist BBQ, an annual event held for artists who have painted for the collective. (Photo: Dave Lee)

14th annual Bushwick Collective Block Party

How has the whole experience impacted you personally?

In so many ways, so much so that I want it to go forever, even when I'm no longer here and able to continue. It has helped me understand my mom's journey, realize what truly matters, and be inspired by endless amounts of inspiring people (artists, Bushwick KiDs Collective, journalists, volunteers, supporters, sculptors, business executives, musicians, rappers, DJs, producers, videographers, families, young artists, so many). Last year, a young artist came all the way from London to perform live for us to try to get on stage for the Bushwick Collective Block Party. This is just an example of the inspiration and effect that this platform has made, and I have so many more stories to share.

The Bushwick Collective: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by The Bushwick Collective.

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“Diving” by Joanna Steidle, United States. International Aerial Photographer of the Year.
“A humpback whale diving back under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean after taking a breath of air. This was taken within 500ft of the coast in Southampton, NY, USA.”

The inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition put out the call to talented aerial photographers around the world, and the responses do not disappoint. Over 1,500 images from professional and amateur photographers were submitted to the photo contest, and now the expert panel of judges has revealed the incredible winners.

American drone pilot and artist Joanna Steidle was awarded the grand prize for her strong portfolio of four images that play to her love of ocean life. From her base in the Hamptons, Steidle has ample opportunity to fly her drone above the Atlantic, and she takes full advantage by capturing everything from whales to sting rays to large schools of fish.

“Aerial photography offers so many possibilities not yet explored,” she shares. “Every day is exciting as I look for unique subjects and moments. I try to stay away from the ordinary. I live in a very flat landscape, so top-down imagery has become quite a theme in my photos which happens to work well with my love for marine life.”

The other big winner in the contest is Ignacio Palacios of Australia. His perfectly composed image of Argentina's Cono de Arita surrounded by anti-crepuscular rays is a revelation. Perfectly balanced, it won him the International Aerial Photograph of the Year prize. These two winners were just a few of the many who were awarded for their excellence in aerial imagery.

The awards, organized by the International Landscape Photographer of the Year contest, celebrate the growing interest in sky photography. Whether using drones or other methods, the breathtaking visuals speak for themselves.

“Looking down on our subject produces a novel, intriguing, and sometimes ambiguous perspective,” shares co-organizer Peter Eastway. “Surely part of the appeal is that the view is new and different from what we see most of the time, walking around with our eyes 1.5 metres above the ground? And photographers today are capturing some simply breathtaking views from above. Many are using modern drones equipped with high-resolution sensors, others are using more traditional (and more expensive) modes of transport, flying high above in planes, helicopters, and even balloons.”

Scroll down to see more of our favorite winners and finalists, and then head over to the official website to see the top 101 aerial photos.

The International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition has announced the winners of its inaugural photo contest.

“Cono de Arita” by Ignacio Palacios. International Aerial Photography of the Year
“Anti crepuscular rays at Cono de Arita, La Puna, Argentina.”

“Concerto” by Joanna Steidle, United States. International Aerial Photographer of the Year.
“Top down drone photography of a small fever of cownose rays stirring up some sand along their travels.”

“Smoking Skull” by Daniel Viñé Garcia, Spain. IAPOTY Runner-Up.
“Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano as it cooled. The cracking pattern of the lava formed a skull, creating an eerie natural illusion for a few moments.”

“Desert Whirlpool” by Colin Leonhardt, Australia. Abstract Award
“Mine site near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.”

“Above the Ice” by Fabien Guittard, France. Chairman's Choice Award
“These two seals are lounging peacefully on a drifting slab of ice in the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon in southern Iceland.”

Over 1,500 images from professional and amateur photographers were submitted.

“Desert Playa” by David Swindler, United States. IAPOTY Third Place

“The Nipple of the Earth” by Daniel Viñé Garcia, Spain. IAPOTY Runner-Up.
“A dormant volcano in the high-altitude Puna of Argentina reveals intricate erosion patterns sculpted by wind and time.”

“Austfonna Ice Cap” by Thomas Vijayan, Canada.
“The Bråsvellbreen glacier, part of the Austfonna Ice Cap in Svalbard. Early melting and powerful waterfalls reveal the urgent reality of climate change—reminding us what’s at stake if we fail to act.”

“Flamingos over the Lake” by David Swindler, United States. IAPOTY Third Place
“Flamingos over a lake.”

“Tree of Ice” by Talor Stone, United States. International Aerial Photograph of the Year, Runner-Up
“An aerial perspective of glacial calving reveals an unexpected organic pattern in the water.”

“Looking down on our subject produces a novel, intriguing, and sometimes ambiguous perspective.”

“The Tempest” by Barbara Brown, Australia. Black & White Award
“Salt lake, Goldfields region of Western Australia.”

“Tajogaite” by Javier Garcia, Spain. Top 101.
“On 19 September 2021, the Tajogaite volcano (Montana Rajada) erupted on La Palma (Spain). Intense volcanic activity buried thousands of homes.”

“New Earth” by Mike Mezeul II, United States. Top 101
“Nearly 24 hours after the start of the July 9, 2023, Litli-Hrútur eruption in Iceland, this three-image panoramic showcases the newly formed cinder cone and associated lava river.”

“Winter Mountains” by Craig McGowan, Australia. Top 101
“The moving clouds allowed speckled winter sunlight to illuminate and shift across the mountains below.”

“Labyrinth of Time” by Tomás Neuwirth, Czech Republic.
“A labyrinth in the spa park in the town of Jesenak, photographed in two different seasons.”

“Relax after the Meal” by Pål Hermansen, Norway. Top 101
“Polar bear on Svalbard after eating on a walrus carcass. Thanks to the drone with a telephoto lens, this rare scene could be captured without any disturbance.”

“Nature's Palette” by Rakesh Baro, India. Top 101.
“I love how this beautiful lake is nestled in the heart of autumn, surrounded by a breathtaking display of fiery reds, golden yellows and deep oranges. Muskoka landscapes can't get any better.”

“Avalanche” by Lorenzo Passalacqua, Australia. Top 101
“Surfers confronting the immense force of the ocean, evokes the rush of escaping a collapsing mountain.”

“The Alchemy of Extraction” by Tim Wrate, Australia. Top 101.
“A remote mining site in South Australia, where vivid colors reveal the dramatic impact of mining on the landscape? An intricate blend of human industry and natural terrain.”

International Aerial Photographer of the Year: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by IAPOTY.

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German artist Katharina Grosse has long been a fixture of Art Basel, and to celebrate the iconic art fair's 55th edition, she created the largest urban art installation of her career. Grosse is known for her large-scale spray-painted artworks, and she certainly brought her artistic energy to the Messeplatz for CHOIR.

The piece, which was on view until June 22, saw Grosse spraying white and magenta forms across the Heurzog & de Meuron-designed space. Grosse selected magenta, as it is the color most visible to the human eye outdoors. At over 5,000 square meters (nearly 53,820 square feet), it completely envelopes the space, transforming it into an unmissable artistic monument.

“Color, especially magenta, grabs your attention and alters how you relate to your surroundings,” the artist writes. “It becomes a tool to disrupt habits and provoke change. I want people to feel so destabilized, positively or negatively, that something moves.”

Moving freely from the pavement up the architecture itself, Grosse's work shows no limits. In fact, she likens it to “a vast painting [that] has flown through, landed briefly, and left its residue behind.” The ephemeral nature of the work, which lasted only a week, is also interesting given its context. While Art Basel is all about collecting and ownership, CHOIR demonstrates the power of art that is free and fleeting.

Curated by Natalia Grabowska of London's Serpentine, Grosse's installation is a celebration of freedom and the dissolution of boundaries.

For Art Basel 2025, German artist Katharina Grosse created her largest urban art installation to date.

CHOIR covers nearly 53,820 square feet and is an explosion of color.

“I want people to feel so destabilized, positively or negatively, that something moves.”

The ephemeral piece lasted just a week, demonstrating the power of art that is free and fleeting.

Katharina Grosse: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images by Jens Ziehe, courtesy of the artist (c) VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2025. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Art Basel.

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This isn't Andrew McCarthy‘s first photo of the International Space Station (ISS) transiting the sun, but it might be his most memorable. In late June, the talented astrophotographer traveled to the Arizona desert to photograph the transit. What he didn't expect was to also capture a large solar flare shooting from the sun's surface. Calling it a “one-in-a-million shot,” the image is truly a mixture of skill and chance.

Taking him completely by surprise, getting the solar flare and the ISS was something he hadn't planned for. Perhaps it was a cosmic reward for braving the desert's sweltering temperatures, which reached up to 121°F. The scorching temperatures required a lot of planning to keep his equipment safe, but for McCarthy it was well worth it to take “one of the most rewarding shots of my career.”

“To get this shot, I risked heatstroke by traveling during an excessive heat warning,” he told PetaPixel. “I had to bring several ice packs to put under my computers and sensitive electronics, and run thermoelectric coolers on my cameras. I brought an entire cooler full of water and managed to drink all of it!”

Once he was back in the safety of his own home, McCarthy was able to process the frames he shot and stack the final composition. Titled Kardashev Dreams, it represents “our first steps to being a much greater civilization,” according to the photographer. The piece is now available as a print on his website for anyone who wants to hang it in their home.

Scroll down for the close-up view, as well as McCarthy's behind-the-scenes video. And be sure to follow Andrew McCarthy on Instagram to stay updated on his astrophotography adventures.

Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy took a “one-in-a-million” photo of the ISS transiting the sun during a solar flare.

See the scorching desert heat he braved to carry about his project.

 

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A post shared by Andrew McCarthy (@cosmic_background)

Andrew McCarthy: Website | Instagram | X | Patreon | TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Andrew McCarthy.

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