Ljubljana
MGML
Boštjan Pucelj: Sketches from America
© Matej Povše

Match Gallery

Trg francoske revolucije 7
1000 Ljubljana

T +386 1 24 12 590
T +386 1 24 12 500
E galerija.vzigalica@mgml.si


Tuesday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Monday: Closed
1 January, 1 November, 25 December: Closed
24 and 31 December: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Free entry.


Boštjan Pucelj: Sketches from America

3. 2. 2015–22. 3. 2015

Boštjan Pucelj, an established photographer from the younger generation, presents his work with a series of photographs taken from his journey on the traces of Route 66. His path was partially also a homage to Božidar Jakac who travelled the USA in the years 1929–31.

Photographer Boštjan Pucelj is known primarily as an artist creating at the intersection of conceptual and classic documentary photography. He first presented his work to general public through his lyrical and acutely intimate series Grandma, then focused on diverse series exploring various social issues and depicting fragments of a world that is often overlooked. Yet he has always remained a chronicler of Dolenjska and Bela krajina regions and their inhabitants. Replacing his camera with a smartphone, his photographs under the label iMarathon were recording the moment, at the same time composing a larger cohesive story. Something similar could be said about the artist's latest project entitled Sketches from America.

Tracing the nostalgic Route 66 beginning in Chicago along the shores of Lake Michigan and winding up in California, the photographer set off in August 2012. This route once inspired cult films and literary classics, and now its topoi were used as the main motif of his project, coherent despite being divided into several parts.

Part one comprises photographs documenting author's momentary response to the surroundings – we see reflections of a metropolis, later fading into extensive landscape; roadside signs promising the American dream; and recognisable interiors. These are photo sketches, recorded in diary form using modern technology. In part two, photographs grow larger. The focus is on autonomous motifs, sometimes having an abstract effect, yet remaining recognisable. Part three takes us into a conceptual framework typical of Pucelj. Taken from the backseat, the photographs are limited, but still portraying the endless US landscape. Movement can be traced. And when we move, so does photographer's focus, taking us from the static photograph to the moving recording, which is the fourth and final part. In it, the author shows ten short video recordings. Recordings of loud movement along railway tracks; of landscape view with the wind rustling in the background; and, eventually, of the return home.


Boštjan Pucelj was born in 1979 in Novo mesto, where he still lives and works. He discovered photography while studying at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering and has been taking his camera with him everywhere ever since. Later he became active as photographer in Novo mesto Student Association. In the past decade, he has become one of the most pronounced photographers from Dolenjska region, which occupies a special position in his photo series. His works have been displayed in several group and more than twenty solo exhibitions; and have won him several awards in contests and festivals, such as Photo of the Year by Emzin Magazine, Slovenia Press Photo and Fotopub (The Thursday Prize). His photos were published in several awarded monographs, books and zines – Babi (2005), Človeško kraljestvo (2008), Osem taktov pavze (2009), Pogled s strani (2010), Zakuska (2012), Likof (2012), iMarathon (2012) and Poklon kozolcu (2013).

Colophon

Production: Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana
Artist: Boštjan Pucelj
This project is supported by: City of Ljubljana, Ministry of Culture
Sponsors of the opening: Coco-Cola, G3 Spirits

Match Gallery

Trg francoske revolucije 7
1000 Ljubljana

T +386 1 24 12 590
T +386 1 24 12 500
E galerija.vzigalica@mgml.si


Tuesday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Monday: Closed
1 January, 1 November, 25 December: Closed
24 and 31 December: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Free entry.


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