The Back to Black project is set up as an international project in which Photon joins the global trend of reviving interest in black-and-white, analog and the so-called hybrid photography, and especially in contemporary, creative use of old photographic techniques. In modern times, these are often associated with the use of contemporary technologies, which expand the creative field of application and bring original solutions even in today’s mostly digital time. This research is in terms of content focused on representing different approaches of contemporary artists to the medium which was not long ago predicted to go extinct. There has been an incredible turnaround in recent years as the popularity of analog and black-and-white photography has begun to revive. Analog photography, that was thought as obsolete, is experiencing a renaissance, especially among young people. Wide and renewed interest in analog photography can be seen especially on social media, where large communities with millions of followers have sprung up in the last few years. Also in the field of artistic photography, where the practice of hybrid photography has already prevailed in the last two decades, this trend is well adopted, especially among young photographic artists. Today, they use all the technologies and tools available, and the works are a combination of the latest technologies and the oldest photographic techniques. A part of this rich practice, which is so hearty enriched and re-thought with photographic history, can also be seen in this exhibition and catalog. Editor: Špela Pipan Author of the texts: Dejan Sluga Participating artists: Balázs Deim, Alessandra D’intino, Jošt Dolinšek, Lena Feitl, Elí Joteva, Reiner Riedler, Peter Koštrun, Roberto Kusterle, Borut Peterlin, Eva Petrič, Herman Pivk Design: Jure Legac Translators: Melita Silič, Deja Bečaj Publisher: Photon – Center za sodobno fotografijo Year: 2022 Softcover, 47 pages Edition: 200 copies Language: English, Slovene Dimensions: 18 x 18 cm

Little known outside of his native Hungary, the body of work Szász created from the late 1950s through the 1970s, epitomizes the artistic vision and innovation of photographers active in Hungary during the years of communism. Featuring boldly graphic abstractions primarily drawn from Hungarian life and landscape, Szász’s images communicate through a universal vernacular. Working in the tradition of Hungarian greats such as André Kertész and László Moholy-Nagy, János Szász’s images are notable for their experimentation with radical perspectives, formalist compositions, and stark, black and white contrast printing. Szász’s photographs transform ordinary scenes from his hometown of Pécs — snow-covered vineyards, stacked firewood, and rows of seating in a darkened movie theater—into bold and graphic compositions. By manipulating darkroom exposure and processing techniques, Szász often reduced his subjects to pattern. He utilized a darkroom process for high-contrast printing, which involved chemical over-processing, then painstakingly bleaching over toned areas with a paintbrush or sponge, to arrive at his dynamically graphic images.

Photographs: Szász János Texts:  Kincses Károly Graphic design:  Bodó Márton Translation:  Szász Balázs Publisher: Szolga Hajnal Year: 2012 Paperback, 128 pages Language: English, Hungarian Dimensions: 27 x 21 cm ISBN: 978-963-08-2959-5

Photographer Vladimír Birgus (b. 1954) has long been important on the Czech and European photography scene, where he played several roles, ranging from photographer and columnist to historian and teacher. A number of high-profile projects are connected with his name, in particular the comprehensive exhibitions and books Czech Photographic Avant-garde, 1918–1948 and Czech Photography of the 20th Century, which have, in a fundamental way, helped promote the works of many Czech photographers internationally. He has also helped to gain appreciation for the works of František Drtikol, Jaroslav Rössler, and Eugen Wiškovský. As a photographer, he has gained an international reputation, and has shown his works in dozens of exhibitions at home and abroad, and his photographs are in a number of important collections. Since the late 1970s, he has systematically expanded his series of photographs called Something Unspeakable, in which he organically links elements of socially concerned documentary photography with a subjective view. His photographs are enriched with many visual metaphors and symbols, whose psychological and emotional meanings are underscored by the symbolic use of color photography. His photographs include existential and dramatic scenes from the streets of big European cities against the background of everyday life and slowly moving history.

Photographs: Vladimír Birgus Texts: Danuta Kowalik-Dura, Adam Mazur Graphic design: Krzysztofa Frankowska-Piechowicz Translation: Monika Hartman Publisher: Muzeum Ślaskie – muzeum rejestrowane Year: 2017 Hardcover, 203 pages Language: English, Czech Dimensions: 28 x 23 cm

ISBN: 978-83-62593-87-3