Thursday, 25 September at 7 pm
You are kindly invited to a film screening and conversation with the director, Jaka Babnik, who (among other things) became acclaimed for being chronicler of the local and regional skateboard scene and director of films of this video genre.
For Babnik the skateboard subculture was an entry to the fields of photography and video which he later developed into independent photographic and artistic practice. Video evening at Photon is part of the Jebodrom exhibition displaying his recent photographic works.
PROGRAMME OF THE SCREENING:
Damage (2002)
Damage is a film showing tricks of several local skateboarders. Skateboard films are showing the art of this urban sport or, better to say, lifestyle based on freedom of movement and rebellion against everyday conventions. Skateboard subculture always looks for multi-level urban structures, seemingly useless non-spaces within a city, and loves concrete and asphalt. Jaka Babnik captured these elements with great sublimation.
Listen to Srečna mladina (2005)
The film is a soundtrack of 11 songs by Ljubljana based band Srečna mladina merged in unique skateboard film. Skateboard films usually consist of series of skateboard tricks edited to the music. However, Listen to Srečna mladina overcomes narrow genre features and introduces a strong narrative combined with the music.
Beside the screening the visitors will have a chance to view Jaka Babnik’s Jebodrom exhibition that deals with contemporary phenomena concerning public spaces by taking the role of an active observer, documentarian and commentator. Jebodrom is a slang term used across the Balkans to denote popular locations known for their adventurous public sex activities. Babnik documents these more or less concealed spots, (usually) on the margins of the urban environment, in a distinctly topographic manner and from a sociological and anthropological perspective. Despite being seemingly deserted, these spots nevertheless serve a very particular function.
Jaka Babnik (1979) graduated from social studies and history at the Faculty of Arts (University of Ljubljana). However, he has pursued his career both as a photographer as well as a cinematographer since 1996. Between 1998 and 2006 he worked as the editor of photography for the Slovenian-Croatian skateboard magazine Pendrek. His work as an author and director of several renowned Slovenian skateboard movies, such as Damage (2002) and Listen to Srecna Mladina (2006). He co-founded the trans-Balkan street magazine Kontejner in 2006, which he remained the editor of until 2009. Series We are dogs! earned him a second place award at 2010 Emzin Photography of the year in Slovenia. He currently works as a freelance photographer and a co-owner of Rostfrei Publishing House.