Turkish photographer Pelin Guven offers a fresh perspective on Swiss life through her street photography series, 'Absence.' Moving from Asia to Switzerland changed her approach to capturing the world, as the country’s quiet, reserved streets contrasted sharply with the bustling cities she had previously experienced.Guven focuses on small gestures, fleeting expressions, and subtle bursts of color, revealing moments often overlooked in daily life.

Her background in psychology informs her sensitivity to human behavior, light, and shadow, helping her capture scenes that evoke tension, humor, or mystery.

Through her images, she highlights the contrast between Switzerland’s order and the creativity that emerges underneath, echoing the playful and innovative works of Swiss artists like Fischli/Weiss and Pipilotti Rist.

Bold use of shadow and negative space draws attention to details that might otherwise go unnoticed—a woman's eyes behind glasses, a slice of glowing watermelon, or a shock of bright hair.Guven’s photography invites viewers to pause, observe, and interpret, filling in gaps left by what is not fully visible.In doing so, she transforms Switzerland’s seemingly reserved public life into a vibrant tapestry of human stories.