Category Archives for WGO

NEW Story: Jelena Gracin

>3. 4. 2016<

“…My dream was actually to come and live on island Hvar, but I did not know how to do that … I got a work offer in Zagreb but I turned down the job! Instead, I went to Rijeka took one year job, which was actually a lot more adventurous…it taught me a lot, the city is also is wonderful, so I really enjoyed Rijeka experience. From Rijeka, I boarded on ferryboat 28 boxes, 2 cats, 2 bikes, viola and violin and moved here, on Hvar. When I arrived, I felt that I came home…”

Read full story.

Defining the project

>1. 4. 2016<

During April till June 2016 a core team/board members Eva Marn, Japec Jakopin, Stan Coenders and Bojan Brecelj defined  the basic logic and the strategy of the project:
why, who, how, when, for whom, which was put into the form of a well-designed poster by Petra Petan.

Water Dragon of Venice

>22. 1. 2016<

GALERIJA FOTOGRAFIJA Ljubljana / 19thJanuary-20February 2016

The series of photographies were created mainly in the period from July to December 2013, and after.

They are reflection of my connection with causal-elemental nature, and my search for active primal places of the space. In the past Venetian civilisation was already tuned with these places. Photos I see as records/stories, which were revealed to me. They are stories of life pulse, which is not explicitly seen. Through the process of the search-tuning-taking photos I became conscious of new secrets of (my) world. I’m passing them forward.

For me, Dragon** of the  is first of all water dragon…Lifewater, Airwater, Firewater and Earthwater are for pervading elements of the dragon being. Dragon, with whom I connected, I could identify on certain placed in the Lagoon: on Torchello, Giudecca, San Lazzaro, San Servolo, Burano, San Francesco del Deserto, these water vastnesses, where I stayed for longer.

**Dragon – casual world of elemental life pulse of the Gaia; planet Earth.

Venice is the place, where I get married with the water. First days of July 2013, I again sailed back into Lagoon. From 1978 onward, in the period of more than 30 years, I spent all together more than one year living in Venice. In this time, I created photographies for four books of Marko Pogačnik, for three journalistic projects and for two art projects.

from 26 of January 2nd part exhibition was opened in Italian Institute for culture in Slovenia, Ljubljana, Breg 12. In the gallery of the Institute, photographies of Bojan Brecelj are complemented with 32 drawings of Marko Pogačnik: The sound of Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and other drawings of Venice.

Water Dragon of Venice, Med Land Project

Self-published art book: Water Dragon of Venice
Limited Edition of 123 signed and numbered copies
150 x 220 mm / Hardcover, Leporello binding, Handmade, inkjet prints on archive paper / 26 pages
Date of publication: 2016

MORE

In the deep past of Gaia’s evolution, “sparks“, asteroids … certain information from distant stars and galaxies … sparked the evolution where dragon forces developed as a living conscious form of Gaia. Venice is the place where I get married with the water. From 1978 onward, in the period of more than 30 years, I spent more than one year all together living in Venice. During this time, I created photos for four books by Marko Pogačnik, three journalistic projects and two art projects. In the first days of July 2013, I sailed back into the Lagoon … In my world, water is the essence of life or life itself – forming, transforming and sustaining structure which holds information. The rhythm, the processes and the motion of water is actually the presence of rivers – like the Nile, the Ganges, the Sepik, the Amazon – the presence of the lake … of the sea … and of the Venetian Lagoon … The Lagoon is one of my prime spaces to “sink” into the element of water.

Notes from September 30, 2013: the pull of the water … the connectivity with the seas … the information-inspiration that the water brings from the sea and rivers AND is exchanging over the water … AND not to forget that we are also water… but … here in Venice, in MY world, I started to recognize that the living being of the Lagoon water is actually dead, or at least very sick … this fact did not get into my living consciousness so easy … what is happening with me, as water self, while touching the water of the Lagoon… the basic relation with the underwater – the very source of life – is hardly connected to the elemental water, perceived as a life structure or intelligence, co-creating information and instantly passing them to the “almighty waters”. Water can carry countless information. Water transforms/regenerates very quickly. Water exists within and around us practically everywhere … water makes love each day with trillions and millions of sunbeams – beings from the sun – millions per second in one droplet … all of us, in fact all matter, contains water, with very small exceptions such as diamonds. Our connectedness – ONENESS – is physically manifested through water, which can transfer the information practically through everything, including the atmosphere, the soil … Everything contains water! We are water – the essence of life – and water in its sub molecular form “contains fire” and evaporation is a constantly present process. Now, in 2013, the Venetian Lagoon did not let me overlook itself, the very being – Lagoon, which lives in its space/canals, in the area of 550 km2. The Lagoon is constantly moving water. The sea moves in, in a strong current, six hours in and six hours out… and from the land, three rivers are blending in. The Lagoon is like a river, a natural complex being, continuously inspiring and feeding. The pattern, the current, the information that accumulates, transforms, dissolves, shares with the surrounding life, is actually the essence of what I mean by river, lake, sea, lagoon, stream … Venice was a republic for 1000 years (726–1797), and for 700 years, every year the Doge performed the most important ritual, “marriage with the sea”, a marriage of the Venetian Republic with the mighty living waters of the (Mediterranean) sea … by giving a golden ring to the sea. Here in the Lagoon, through communication with the water, as well as with Ivana Petan, who gave me the awareness of the air, I became aware of the complex being-living presence of the Venice Lagoon, which I named The Water Dragon of Venice.

Bojan Brecelj

project /concept and photography/ by : Bojan Brecelj in collaboration with Marko Pogačnik and Ivana Petan

 

With the support of  Italian cultural institute in Slovenia (financial realisation of the exhibition and book)) and many others financially, morally and with their concrete involvement in the process: Anuša Homec, Jelka Brecelj, Marika Pogačnik, Barbara Čeferin (Galerija Fotografija), Mario Vidal, Andrea Tagliapietra, Japec Jakopin, Anne Durufle, Violeta Bulc, Barbara Stupica, Ken Marquand, Marko Paš, Miran Srša … 

: Bojan Brecelj • translations and proofreading: Tadej Turnšek, Mateja Kralj • graphic design: Petra Petan • printing: David Tavčar-Artiko • bookbinding: Tiporenesansa andLuminus
published by Bojan Brecelj and Italian Cultural Institute in Ljubljana

Realization of exhibitions : Italian cultural institute in Slovenia and Galerija Fotografija

Photography workshop under the sails

>17. 6. 2015<

Announcement and invitation:

Photography workshop under the sails on a sailboat Sutorman:1-8 August >Conditions and the PRICE are very affordable, and the opportunity of extraordinary !
Sutorman is two mast sailing boat, brand new wooden masterpiece of the builder Miran Srša.
The boat in its 15 meters gives the comfort of 10 people – 3 we, the crew, including mentor for photography.
It will be intense, but all in tune with the wind and the spirit of the whole team.
Travel and photography workshop begins in Stari Grad, the island of Hvar. Our route will south towards island of Korcula, Mljet, Lastovo… Depending on the winds and the mood we embrace during seven days. We end up in  Stari Grad Hvar.
The price for the stay, sailing, skipper and mentor /photo workshop is 360 EUR + food, which is procured according to the principle of total purchases from the joint treasury/ everybody contributing the same share. On board is a kitchen, fridge and all necessary for preparation. The cabin is for two people >> more photos of the boat
Photography workshop :  there is no limitation for participation regarding your knowledge of photography, however, it is necessary that you have your own equipment, camera, and computer with program for viewing photos. The workshop will be dedicated to your individual needs for developing your skills in photography. Tasks will be tailored according to the knowledge of the individual. Training will be primarily focused on the technical knowledge that we need, that our admiration actually appears on the photo :  “to get what we see”
* The rhythm  of work : in the middle of the day when it will be hot and the light “flat”, we will process some of the theories that will be related to the technical basics such as aperture, time, sensitivity, color, format (jpg,RAW..,) as the light , the framing, and the logic of observation, approach, … This knowledge will be every day practiced through certain practical exercises.
Each will exercise by himself, on their individual walks in the morning and afternoon on locations where we docked, as well as also during the voyage )) The evening will be the time when we will have photos reviews to discuss the “language of pictures “. According to the very environment, the sea, the wind, the boat, new places ..and a plethora of opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, sailing.. we will be temperate with the time that we take for photography. I can expect also questions that  each of you will bring with your camera menus and bottoms… Such cases I will answer as each separately, if necessary .
Mentor : Bojan Brecelj – the status of a freelance artist/ photographer. The main experience is 15 years of intensive cooperation with the Fr,I,D agencies Sygma, Corbis Fr, Focus.. and the media directly, in reportage projects .This period is summarised in the copyright book : Strange Friends, Other book subject were tropical mangrove forests, Venice (author Marko Pogacnik), where I worked closely with the photo. Several projects were derived as the exhibition. From 2010 onwards, group projects, including Selffish/self-portrait installation : “Who are you ?”, “Synergies of Sarajevo”, “Ermoclia, the place I want to be”, 7/8 DAYS..In the past projects were doneI  also in the field of documentary film (the shooting script), stage design, graphic design and multimedia projects / more
Skipper : Miran Srša, with many years of sailing experience in the Adriatic and the constructor of over 50 yachts, will provide a pleasant and secure navigation and secure anchoring in less inhabited bays and ports, in the rhythm that we may, in addition to all the maritime pleasures predominantly focused on the pictures .
The time is approaching ! . The conditions and the PRICE are really very affordable , and the opportunity of extraordinary ! given the limited number of 7 participants (now 1-2 are still free)   – I recommend that you book your place as soon as possible >>
contact : bojanbrecelj5@gmail.com , 041 765 714

7/8DAYS

>5. 6. 2015<

………Group project 7/8DAYS exploring the identity of the Mediterranean space, was recently held in Split – Dalmatia – Mediterranean

It was a call for CREATIVITY. “Express yourself through the photo self-portrait and the statement.”

The concept of the project/exhibition «7/8DAYS» implies as «co-authors» the participants, expressing themselves in the creative-sensual way by making their self-portrait (or the series of them), and by the statement expressing their stand in regard of the changes that could creatively affect and change their living environment and the surroundings. The self-portrait and the statement are complementary, and were printed together on the photo prints for the exhibition.
It’s work in progresss – first bit 5-14th May 2015 >>Galerija Umjetnina,  MKC and other locations in Split area.

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This project, focusing on the IDENTITY of the people and the space, expressed imprinted in self-portraits and words, is a continuation of the projects by the author, started in 2010: Branding Yourself, Who Are You, Synergy of Sarajevo, Venetians in Venice About Venice… www.selffishstudios.com

First 18 prints from Split…..

In this period /first bit/, over 170 of us co-created a globe of many worlds, visibly and invisibly linked…
MORE (in Croatian means SEA)

78DANA razglednica1

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Mediterranean ring / MayLand > My Land (working title)

>22. 3. 2012<

Expressing the identity, (“Back-ground”)

Proposed by: Bojan Brecelj /Slovenian artist, Photographer
Keywords: art (research) project, self-portraits, identity related to space, photography, photography, group work.
As a photographer worked throughout the years in Mediterranean region, mainly on reports about culture and economy for French and Swiss publications.
Short description of the project:
My aim for this project is to do a work of art (media photography and sound) which would express the identity of Land of Mediterenian countries through the people who live and work in the Mediteranian region.
Focal point is to get NEW data of identity and potential of Mediterranean countries separatly as well as a region which is united with Mediterranean sea, actually is fusing three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe ! together.
a chain of different projects to be carry out on different locations in Mediterranean countries
The body of work would be photographs – self-portraits done on different specific locations in the town or in other places in the country (each related to the person) and short interviews with portrayed people.
Portraits and interviews would be done with addressed citizens, willing to participate in the project by expressing themselves visually and verbally within the context of their relationship with The Land they live, and brother, Mediterranean space.
“Random people” part of the project could be done on selected specific – important locations in larger urban spaces, by introducing the project to the people that are passing by. (reference Synergies of Sarajevo :Expressing the …
The results of this project would be presented in virtual space- online  as well as in physical form as an exhibition; photography (and sound ) installation as well as in printed publication – photographs and text from the interviews.
The Tool:
  • The tool developed for self-portraying, where person view her/himself in the mirror and trigger camera (which is behind the mirror) in its own moment, gives unique results reflecting creativity and open-hearted being. NEW, portable Self-portrait Set up is designed for use on location, outside or inside any location, under professional light conditions.  Person can see and create his portrait by seeing her/himself with realistic background .
  • The official site of self-portrait by this system is www.selffishstudios.com. The system that is an invention by itself is developed by Bojan Brecelj. The intellectual rights- the principal of doing portrait photography through the mirror is registered by cc rights. It is an open code logic, which means that everybody can use and develop the system under conditions that all can be copied and developed on.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: The exhibition is actually a Group exhibition: 
Since portraits are actually at least co-created by those who would make self-portraits, and tell their story, the project  is actually a group work of many unique peaces and everybody participating would be named as an author.
“The Land of Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Israel, Egypt, France…  “each is  project in itself that should be in the future  integrated in a larger project, “Mediterranean ring“, researching the identity of Mediterranean as our larger common living space.
How to start it ? I am proposing to do a pilot project – a shorter trip through majority of the countries and already working on the project (in each country 5-7 persons : on location self portraits + interviews ) to gain certain respond /material, connections,local interest and support for complete project in the country. The main purpose for pilot project is to have concrete results to address interested for contribution and cooperation  in Mediterranean Ring projects. Experiences and results from pilot trip would also be useful foundation to develop and work on  Mediterranean Ring projects.
—————————————————— Additional info:
Locations:
Ideally I am thinking that actually almost everybody should be photographed in her/his  location that has context to the person, so to say set up should move almost for everybody .
How to get people to participate: 
“Fiend of a friend”: everybody participating would recommend another 3, 4 to be invited in the project.
Interview -words-sound:
«Interviews» could be short and sound recorded where everybody would in short describe himself and tell how she, he would like her/his country (or more local area) to be now and in the future.
Recorded interviews could be played on the exhibition and in online multimedia presentation. In print version, written short interview should accomplish each self –portrait.
Plus Documentary images or AIR photos! : 
Alternatively part of the project could be documentary images from the place,
AND IDEALY, especially if I think of Mediterranean as a whole, photos from the air as portraits of the land –  would accomplish the identity  project (of the natives, expressed through self-portraits and words ) in the very intriguing way.
keywords :
  • identity of Mediterranean space
  • consciousness of Mediterranean space, expressed through the people that live and are active in the Mediterranean countries
  • co-producing with art, media education institution **
  • reference anthropology project **
  • local project, connected to regional (Mediterranean) project **
  • media : photography, (documentary video), sound recording, written material
  • self-portraits plus words (sound recording interviews)
  • material should be openly shared between all production related partners –  for their research, exhibition etc. projects…
**MAYDAY([venez] m’aider, come to help me”; note that aidez-moi means “help me”) the following is a message of extreme urgency, the highest level of danger. (MAYDAY is used on voice channels for the same uses as SOS on Morse channels.)
PS : Complementary project that could be incorporated in second stage : FC :Floating Container :FC /NOMAD (art) PROJECT (living) BASE  :  
project aim is to develop and construct :
– temporary movable space which can “follow the project”  / art project, living exploration project, science project
– space : logistic base/ living base for on location temporary  projects  
– FC : floating container, amphibian that can be also alternatively on land or close to water (to use water facilities..)
– basic characteristics ; can be transported by land and see as normal container > strong / metal/  structure, 
      NEW space use concept : water environment / house+boat bread for nomadic&temporary use / 
     materials and design : low tech( easy to produce ), organic-friendly for living -recyclable materials, 
     energy from water 
     water from water
     modular system / extended parts/  assembling systems; two – catamaran

Nalu

Nalu is a Sciarelli wooden catbot. This wooden bot is totally part of the MED Land Project.

Nalu, a wooden professionally restored  Sciarelli catboat

The boat: 

Known as the Catboat (....It is generally accepted that the origin of the catboat type was in New York around 1840 and from there spread east and south as the virtues of the type — simplicity, ease of handling, shallow draft, large capacity — were discovered. Historically, they were used for fishing and transport in the coastal waters around...wikipedia

NaLu was built in Trieste in 1978. It is one of eight that were built from the design of the famous naval architect Carlo Schiarrelli, who owned a catboat himself!

The boat is 7.50 mt. long, very deep and 3.36 mt. wide creating a very spacious interior.

The saloon space is used also as a very comfortable double bedroom and is equipped with a kitchen with sweet and sea tap water, ample refrigerator and an additional bed, normally used for storage space.

In front is a separate cabin for two.

There is also an electric flush toilet with sink and sweet tap water.




The special feature of this boat is its lift keel which makes her very suitable for cruising in the Laguna. The other unique feature is the one huge sail, almost 40m2!

Nalu Images of the interior, in Vence, in Faros-Hvar, Paxos, Kefalonia ...)

During 2010-2013 the boat was professionally restored

and the restoration was even published in the book:  Barche in Legno by Andrea Cappai, Lorenzo Luxich

Restauration of the boat- img

LINK to the book



Venetians in Venice about Venice

Facing Venice is a project in itself as well as is the initial project for a larger project "Mediterranean ring", researching the identity of Mediterranean as our lager common living space.

Working title :  Venetians in Venice about Venice, Expressing the identity, "Facing Venice"

> 19. 3. 2009 <

proposed by : Bojan Brecelj / Slovenian artist  photographer

  • Keywords : art (research) project, self-portraits, Venetians,  photography, photography exhibition, group exhibition

As a photographer who has through the years many times worked on the theme of Venice (5 published books and one extensive article), and as an artist who in 1978 represented Yugoslavia in Bienalle of Art in Venice, I am proposing to do another work, a portrait photography exhibition that would be accomplished with Venetians in Venice about Venice.

Short description of the project :

My aim for this project is to do a work of art (media  photography and sound) which would express  identity of Venice through the people who live and work here.
The body of work would be photographs - self-portraits done on different location in the town and short interviews with potrayed people.
Portraits and interviews would be done with citizens of Venice willing to participate in the project by expressing themselves visually and verbally within the context of  their relationship with Venice.

venitian-in-venice-about-venice-andrea-tagliapietra

First portrait :

The results of this project would be presented in photography exhibition (and sound installation) as well as in printed publication - photographs and text from the interviews.
Presumably one third of project would be accomplished with my own documentary photos from the live situation of the people living here.
Why images and not just words? Images are more complex information, and experiencing the quality and wholeness of the personality and identity, images /portraits and specifically and specifically self-portrait do show that.  Then, words expressing thoughts and ideas give different but complementary aspect to the images. 

The Tool :

  • The tool developed for self-portraying, where person view her/himself in the mirror and trigger camera (which is behind the mirror) in its own moment, gives unique results reflecting creativity and open-hearted being.
  • The official site of self-portrait by this system is www.selfportraitstudios.com. The system that is an invention by itself is developed by myself. The intellectual rights- the principe of doing portrait photography through the mirror is registered by cc rights. It is an open code logic, which mens that everybody can use and develop the system under conditions that all can be copied and developed on.
  • Self-portrait Set up is designed for use on location, outside or inside any location, and do the portraying with realistic background under professional light conditions.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS : The exhibition is actually Group exhibition: 

Since portraits are actually at least co-created by those who would make self-portraits, and tell there story, the exhibition is actually a group one! And everybody participating would be named as an author!
The initial concept, the tool itself, and the aesthetics is developed and done by Bojan Brecelj 
Short CV: on separate page.

Facing Venice is a project in itself as well as is the initial project for a larger project "Mediterranean ring", researching the identity of Mediterranean as our lager common living space.

 

 

Bojan Brecelj
8th July 2009

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