November is 8th Month of Photography around Slovakia

Slovakia has a long tradition of amateur and professional photography, and nowhere is this tradition on better display than in the Month of Photography, which hits Slovakia from November 1 to 31.
In 1991, the French Institute in Bratislava organised an exhibition of photographs introducing French photographers, called the "Month of Photography ," which ran at the same time as a similar world-famous exhibition in Paris. In the 'Month of Photography's' second year, (1992) Fotofo Agency, an agency founded by Slovak professional photographers and film theoreticians, took over the job of organising the Slovak Month of Photography exhibition.


Dainis Karkluvalks, Contemporary Latvian Photography

Slovakia has a long tradition of amateur and professional photography, and nowhere is this tradition on better display than in the Month of Photography, which hits Slovakia from November 1 to 31.

In 1991, the French Institute in Bratislava organised an exhibition of photographs introducing French photographers, called the "Month of Photography ," which ran at the same time as a similar world-famous exhibition in Paris. In the 'Month of Photography's' second year, (1992) Fotofo Agency, an agency founded by Slovak professional photographers and film theoreticians, took over the job of organising the Slovak Month of Photography exhibition.

Now, in 1998, November is Fotofo's Month of Photography, with exhibits held in Bratislava and in towns around Slovakia. The event profiles photographers from central and eastern Europe, along with famous world camera artists.

Fotofo Agency is the lifeblood of photography in Slovakia. The citizens group puts out a special magazine called "Imago," which focus on experimental photography. Fotofo also runs the Profil Gallery, a photo exhibit gallery with a 30 year tradition which organises exhibitions of old and contemporary Slovak and world photographers.

Václav Macek, Fotofo Director and Professor of Film Theory at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, said that "the Month of Photography is a unique concept. It is obvious that western photographers are dominant at the exhibitions in western countries. Our goal is to try to cover or to present photographers from central and eastern Europe."

The Month of Photography 1998 presents new trends in contemporary photography alongside old photographs from the beginning of 20 century, landscape and documentary photos. The exhibit stages some of its hangings in postmodern surroundings, and offers workshops as well. The entire project comprises 41 separate exhibits in 38 galleries and cafés in Bratislava and towns around the country: Humenné (eastern Slovakia), Banská Štiavnica and Žilina (central Slovakia - see schedule below).


Cecil Beaton:Marlene Dietrich, 1935

But as Macek explained, the focus on central and eatern European artists did not mean that world leading photographers had been ignored. "Apart from these interesting works from Europe, visitors can see also amazing photographs of world-famous photographers such as Annie Liebovitz or Helmut Newton," Macek said.

Month of Photography 1998 focuses on Ukrainian Photography of the 1990's, with Ilya Chiakka and his pictures of human embryos (the exhibit is called "Photoshock," not surprisingly). Contemporary Latvian photographer Aviris Shulders and his romantic landscape pictures also get exposure. Slovakia is well-represented with Vasil Stanko presenting the "New Wave of the 1980's" exhibit and photography as an aestetic object. The vodka manufacturing giant Absolut chips in with Absolut Photography: Absolut Fashion and Absolut Cities. New Georgian Documentary Photography, World Press Photo 98, Hungarian Authors, Anonymous 19th and 20th century Photography from Russia - the list is extensive and rich in surprising talent.

Tickets are available at exhibition sites. For further information call Fotofo Agency at tel.: 07-243-976, or contact Profil Gallery at Prepoštská 4, open Mo-Sun 13:00-17:00. Accommodation is available at Hotel Doprastav, Košická 52, Bratislava at tel.: 07-5430-204 or Slovenské elektrárne, Miletičova 5, Bratislava at tel.: 07-56922-800.

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