“Occasional equilibrium” is an autobiographical project which allows us to follow the photographer through her journey around the globe, from Moscow to others cities around the world. Rented apartments, hotel rooms, new encounters and partings consistently mold the path of the author. The subjects in the photographs also denote being in a permanent transit zone, eternal limbo. Immigrants. The author finds herself, like those around her, isolated and lost.
When a person moves from their country and step into the land of another to look for a home, they are in a liminal, anxious state. Unable to control their surroundings, what happens to them, how they react or interpret them. This is an infinitely stretched process of transformation, a transition from one status to another. Liminality doesn’t often lead to change, it only fills transitional moments. It creates a space which is later filled with that person’s fears and uncertainty.
Often times when we believe we are closer to a more calm and habitual point in time, it seems never to fully arrive. Although a bit of balance may be found, there are still new moves ahead, changing apartments, which means the path continues.
Curator: Olga Matveeva
Marta Ladokhina is a photographic artist raised in Russia, and currently living in Belgrade. She studied contemporary documentary and fine art photography.
The most important part of her professional activities is devoted to personal, long-term projects. In her projects, Marta addresses topics such as emigration, instability, and transitional states.
Finalist in the international competitions Fresh Eyes New Talent by GUP Magazine and Aesthetica Art Prize.
The latest project “Occasional Equilibrium” was shown at international photographic festivals.
![BPM 2024 The Book [embodiment] Lab Interacting with a Book: Body, Breath, Touch, Media](https://www.belgradephotomonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Book-embodiment-Lab-Interacting-with-a-Book-Body-Breath-Touch-Media.jpg)
The Book [embodiment] Lab Interacting with a Book: Body, Breath, Touch, Media
During our meeting, we’ll delve into books as living organisms, where each body possesses its own unique structure, trace, and personality.
Using examples of various book constructions by our authors, we’ll explore every stage of the viewer’s interaction with the book: from immersing themselves in the narrative to perceiving the printed project as a product.
We’ll also discuss the significance of the book medium as an exhibition space and explore shifts in visual tradition.Book[e]lab is an independent multidisciplinary project specializing in small-run editions, founded by Olga Matveeva and Jenia Yahina.
Since its establishment in 2020, Book[e]lab has been curating immersive laboratories and workshops focused on creating artist’s photobooks and zines.
In our exploration of photobooks, we engage all senses through interaction with space, surface, volume, material, and proportions. Sometimes, a book can offer artists more freedom and resources than a gallery space, opening up new layers of meaning in authorial expression through tactile experiences.
Throughout the various stages of working with photobooks, we combine the experiences of artists, photographers, designers, and even technologists. This collaborative process inspires and encourages thinking and experimentation. Book design becomes an integral part of the project, enriching its semantic scope. That`s why we carefully consider the choice of paper, printing method, and construction of each future book.
The peculiarity of our laboratory lies in the synthesis of artist and designer practices, providing an opportunity to view one’s work through the lens of different professional experiences and to explore how the authorial idea interacts with book design and the viewer’s perception.
Our collective mission is to delve into the depths of visual imagination, overcome creative obstacles, and uncover the language of individual expression, ultimately crafting layouts ripe for the printing press.
Instagram @bookelab
Olga Matveeva is a visual artist who works with photography, installation, artist’s books, and analogue printing processes. She is also an independent curator, publisher, and educator, as well as the co-founder of Book[e]Lab.Olga graduated in political science at the State University for Human Sciences in Moscow in 2008, and from photography at the Rodchenko Art School in 2013.
Participant of international festivals and exhibitions of contemporary art.In her artistic practice she is focused on the experiences of an individual in an ever changing socio-political turmoil while being immersed in mythology and mysticism. Originally from Moscow, she currently lives and works in Belgrade, Serbia.
Jenya Yahina, the co-founder of the Book[e]Lab, she participates in photobook workshops as an independent curator-researcher and teaches the Author’s Photobook course at the Rodchenko Art School. She is also a dance artist, practicing contemporary dance and dance performance.
The focus of her artistic research lies in perceiving the body’s interaction with the surrounding reality through performative contemporary dance practices, unfixed identities, and the synthesis of body and space in artist/research/photo book.
We are thrilled to invite you to a captivating celebration of visual storytelling at the UK Parobrod on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Prepare to be enchanted as we showcase the remarkable talents of diverse photographers who will unveil their latest creations in the form of captivating photo books.
Step into a world where images speak volumes and stories unfold with every turn of the page. From intimate portraits to sweeping landscapes, each photo book is a testament to the artistry and vision of its creator. Belgrade Photo Book Week 2024 is your exclusive opportunity to immerse yourself in this rich tapestry of photographic expression.
The participants are:
Anja Putensen. Abschiedsrbriefe. https://anja-putensen.squarespace.com/
Bragi pór Jósefsson. 100 outdoor swimming pools. https://www.bragi.is/
Brian C. Arnold. A History of photography in Indonesia. https://www.briancarnold.com/
Dasha Karetnikova. Motherland hears,, motherland knows. http://dashakaretnikova.com/
Oyvind Hjelmen. Moments reflected. https://www.oyvindhjelmen.com/
As the evening unfolds, you’ll have the chance to engage with the photographers, gaining insights into their creative process and the stories behind their captivating images. Explore a plethora of themes, styles, and perspectives, each offering a unique glimpse into the human experience.
And that’s not all! As a token of our appreciation for your presence, we’ll be offering select attendees the opportunity to take home some stunning photo books, allowing you to cherish and revisit the magic of this event long after the curtains close.
Join us on April 23rd 16h at the UK Parobrod for an unforgettable evening celebrating the art of Welcome to the Belgrade Photo Book Week 2024!
English below.
Estamos encantados de invitaros a un gran evento, en colaboración con el Instituto Cervantes en Belgrado, donde el mundo de la fotografía española converge con el vibrante panorama cultural de Serbia. El lunes 22 de abril de 2024, en UK Parobrod, de 17:00 a 19:00, sumérgete en las narrativas cautivadoras y los viajes visuales creados por seis grandes fotógraf@s españoles mientras presentan sus últimos libros. El evento será en inglés.
Acompañadnos mientras exploramos la intrincada interacción de la luz, la sombra y la emoción capturada a través de las lentes de estos artistas, cada libro despliega un relato único, ofreciendo una visión de la diversa trama de la experiencia humana.
Los participantes son:
Alex Llovet. Not about lockdown. https://www.alexllovet.com/
Borja Ballvé Giró. Disorder. https://www.borjaballbe.com/
Julieta Averbuj. El juego de la madalena. https://www.instagram.com/julietaaverbuj/
Laia Serra. Untitled folder. https://www.instagram.com/daiaserra/
Rif Spahni. Son Boter, Joan Miró. https://rifphotos.com/
A medida que el evento llegue a su fin, te invitamos a participar en un sorteo especial, donde varios asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de llevarse a casa un fantástico fotolibro. Es una ocasión que no deben perderse los entusiastas de la fotografía ni los amantes de los libros.
¡Marcad esta fecha en vuestros calendarios y uníos a nosotros para un viaje inspirador a través de la lente de la fotografía española, solo en Belgrade Photo Book Week 2024!
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We are thrilled to invite you to an extraordinary event in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes in Belgrade, where the world of Spanish photography converges with the vibrant cultural landscape of Serbia. On Monday, April 22, 2024, from 17:00 to 19:00, immerse yourself in the captivating narratives and visual journeys crafted by six renowned Spanish photographers as they present their latest books. The event will be conducted in English.
Join us as we explore the intricate interplay of light, shadow, and emotion captured through the lenses of these talented artists. From breathtaking landscapes to intimate portraits, each book unfolds a unique tale, offering a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of human experience.
The participants are:
Alex Llovet. Not about lockdown. https://www.alexllovet.com/
Borja Ballvé Giró. Disorder. https://www.borjaballbe.com/
Julieta Averbuj. El juego de la madalena. https://www.instagram.com/julietaaverbuj/
Laia Serra. Untitled folder. https://www.instagram.com/daiaserra/
Rif Spahni. Son Boter, Joan Miró. https://rifphotos.com/
As the event draws to a close, we invite you to participate in a special raffle, where several lucky spectators will have the opportunity to take home a photo book. It’s an occasion not to be missed for photography enthusiasts and book lovers.
Mark your calendars and join us for an inspiring journey through the lens of Spanish photography, only at Belgrade Photo Book Week 2024.
Tribute to SAUL LEITER Early color
Welcome to the ethereal realm of color, light, and narrative whispers captured through the lens of contemporary visionaries. As a tribute to the pioneering spirit of Saul Leiter, whose profound exploration of early color photography revolutionized the medium, we proudly present an international group exhibition as part of the esteemed Belgrade Photo Book Week 2024.
Steeped in Leiter’s legacy, “Tribute to Saul Leiter Early Color” invites you on an immersive journey through the kaleidoscopic landscapes of human emotion, urban solitude, and fleeting moments frozen in time. Inspired by Leiter’s iconic book “Early Color,” this exhibition unites the talents of nine diverse photographers from around the globe, each offering a unique perspective on the interplay between color, composition, and the essence of existence.
Drawing upon Leiter’s masterful use of abstraction, ambiguity, and serendipitous beauty, these contemporary artists harness the power of the visual medium to weave intricate narratives that transcend the ordinary. From the vibrant streets of bustling metropolises to the quiet whispers of nature’s symphony, their photographs serve as windows into alternate realities, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the mesmerizing dance of hues and shadows.
Through a curated selection of images, ” Tribute to Saul Leiter Early Color ” celebrates the timeless allure of photography as a medium for introspection, connection, and collective storytelling. As we pay homage to Saul Leiter’s groundbreaking vision, we invite you to embark on a visual odyssey that transcends borders, cultures, and generations, illuminating the universal language of human experience.
Join us as we explore the echoes of the past, the hues of the present, and the infinite possibilities of the future, all captured within the delicate embrace of early color photography.
The 9 photographers that are part of the exhibition are:
Aaron Reyes https://www.instagram.com/tyndaro/
Alex Fokin https://www.instagram.com/fokinman/
Theo Belafonte https://www.instagram.com/theobelafonte
Cristopher Vrsalovic https://www.instagram.com/satyrcam/
Katarina Trifunovic https://www.instagram.com/katarinatrifunovic/
Kirill Osipov https://www.instagram.com/okiris.photo
Rebecca Uliczka https://www.instagram.com/rebekunstphoto/
Sam L. Street https://www.instagram.com/sam.and.street/
Zeynep Ayta https://www.instagram.com/aytazeynep
* Galleries and exhibition spaces retain the right to change the date and time of the exhibitions and other events
