a study of a practice 
/ 2021





exhibited at akademie schloss solitude, 
stuttgart, germany

curator Gloria Grzywatz 



audio & photographic installation 









Five years ago, I started my investigations into the history, trauma and memory of communist Bulgaria (1946-1989). I have been visiting and documenting spaces of violence - sites of former forced labour camps, prisons, State Security’ and residential buildings. I commenced my work with individuals - who placed themselves in the left – anarchists, socialists, farmers etc., and were oppressed as of their political beliefs. I also have been examining the archival files, photographs and footage from the State Security services, agents and informants.

I attempt to and struggle to narrate these histories – perplexing, difficult, missing, complicated. No medium appears to do enough. 

A study of a practice, employs language, words and text as primary points. I explore the actions, network and structures and try to understand how my work works. I ask - what is the role of my visual inquiries – how are they received, understood and disregarded? How do I navigate through the systems of the archive, of history, of lived experiences, of (trans)generational trauma, of transitional justice?

The work was commenced during an artist fellowship at the Akademie Schloss Solitude.






               
Photography :  Frank Kleinbach












limited edition zine created by Luana Lojic & Krasimira Butseva for Akademie Schloss Solitude, 2021









Photography:  Frank Kleinbach