Soapbubble Studies

A Long-Term Photographic Exploration of Impermanence

Since 2010, I have been carrying soap bubble liquid, cameras, and often far too much optimism into deserts, forests, beaches, and mountain landscapes.

What began during a journey through the Moroccan desert has evolved into Soapbubble Studies, an ongoing photographic project exploring impermanence, fragility, and our relationship with the natural world.

Each image captures a real, temporary intervention in the landscape: a giant soap bubble created on location and photographed in a single moment before wind, gravity, temperature, or chance erase it again.

No digital compositing. No CGI. No AI-generated imagery.

Only light, landscape, weather, and a bubble that exists for a few seconds.

The Origin

The first Soapbubble Study was created in 2010 among the dunes of Merzouga in Morocco.

Standing in a vast landscape shaped by wind and time, I became fascinated by the contrast between permanence and fragility.

A mountain may exist for millions of years.

A soap bubble survives only moments.

Bringing these two opposites together became the foundation of the project.

Since then, Soapbubble Studies has taken me to remote beaches, forests, deserts, lakes, and mountain peaks across Europe and beyond.

Soapbubble Studies 2010 - The Beginning in the Moroccoan Desert.

 

How The Images Are Created

Every photograph begins with a physical intervention.

Using a custom soap bubble mixture, I create large-scale bubbles directly within the landscape.

Many reach several meters in diameter.

Because the bubbles are extremely sensitive to wind, humidity, temperature, and terrain, a significant percentage of attempts fail.

Some days produce no usable images at all.

The photographs are captured in-camera.

The bubble exists in the location exactly as shown.

The final image documents a brief event that may have lasted only seconds.

Themes

Impermanence

The bubble becomes a temporary guest within an ancient landscape.

Fragility

The work reflects the delicate balance found throughout natural systems.

Acceptance

The project embraces uncertainty and lack of control.

Weather decides everything.

Presence

The images encourage viewers to slow down and engage with fleeting moments that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Selected Locations

• Merzouga Desert, Morocco

• Dolomites, Italy

• Hohe Wand, Austria

• Lake Neusiedl, Austria

• Krk, Croatia

• Beaches, forests and mountain regions across Europe

New locations are continuously added to the project.

2015 in the Dolomites Italy , Pale di San Martino at 2500 meters .

Vienna 2017 , together with Soapbubble Wizard - Aramis Gehberger

Hospitality & Site-Specific Commissions

In addition to the existing archive, Soapbubble Studies can be developed as site-specific commissions.

For hospitality projects, resorts, wellness destinations, hotels, and private properties, I create custom Soapbubble Studies that respond directly to a location's unique atmosphere.

The resulting artwork establishes a visual connection between the artwork and the place itself.

Previous collaborations and publications include features in Harvard Business Review, Le Monde, Die Zeit, CN Traveller and projects for hospitality and commercial clients.

Imlauer Hotel Schloss Pichlarn // Making of Custom Soapbubble Studies

Custom Soapbubble Studies for Weingut Neumeister, Straden // Styria.

Available Formats

Limited Edition Prints

Museum-quality archival pigment prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag.

Signed, numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Open Edition Prints

Accessible collector editions suitable for homes, hospitality projects and larger installations.

Large Scale Installations

Selected works are available in large-format sizes for hospitality and commercial environments.

Licensing

Selected images are available for editorial, hospitality, corporate and commercial licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the soap bubbles real?

Yes. Every bubble is physically created on location and photographed in-camera.

Are the images manipulated?

Basic post-production adjustments are made, but the bubble itself is not digitally added.

How large are the bubbles?

Sizes vary depending on weather conditions and location. Many reach several meters in diameter.

Can you create Soapbubble Studies for hotels and resorts?

Yes. Site-specific commissions are available for hospitality and commercial projects.

Are the works available as limited editions?

Yes. Selected works are available as signed and numbered limited editions.

Can the images be licensed?

Yes. Editorial, hospitality and commercial licensing options are available.

How long has the project been running?

Soapbubble Studies began in 2010 and continues today.

About The Artist

Marlies Plank is an Austrian visual artist working across photography, painting, sculpture and mixed media.

Her work has been featured internationally and includes collaborations with Valentino, Hilton Hotels, Ritzenhoff and numerous editorial publications.

Soapbubble Studies remains her longest-running and most recognized body of work.

For collector inquiries, hospitality projects, commissions or licensing opportunities, please get in touch.

hi@marliesplank.art