The pandemic is a phenomenon we didn't know before. When it began in March 2020, no one imagined that it would last so long and that it would affect our lives so strongly.
The numerous restrictions, especially the quarantine, has been a downright traumatic experience for many. It wasn't until February 24, 2022 that we learned that things could get worse. Before Putin invaded Ukraine, for many of us the whole world became the inside of our apartments. Aga Sochal used this time to create several interesting photo series. She wrote about them and herself as follows:
Submitted photos are components of several projects:
Pandemic Home, 2020
Abstract landscapes are in fact the space of the house and objects hitherto unnoticed. A space that has shrunk unbearably during the pandemic, while becoming the whole world. The only way to travel.
We're packed, 2021
The combination of ice and packaging is not only the obvious symbolism associated with the vision of climate catastrophe. Ice is also a time-varying form, predictable, but captured in freezing. It's as if nothing is ever going to change again, and yet we know - the ice is melting, counting down the time until the end of the world as we know it so far.
Grand Empty Hotel, 2020
What kind of world would the world be without travel? Without the flow, the movement, the exchange of experiences. The photos were taken at a time when Spanish tourism already seemed to be slowly shaking off the dust of the pandemic. But perhaps the world will forever have that strangely familiar uncertainty?
I also encourage you to see my project submitted as an online publication on the Issuu platform: https://issuu.com/agasochal/docs/mor_e_aga_sochal For me, this project is the beginning of action in an area that has always been important to me and provoked the question of how do we have to be aesthetically sensitive when we are surrounded by visual disorder? How do we break this vicious cycle and educate the mating generation so they don't duplicate our mistakes? And finally - is it possible to look at our Polish ugliness with a different, kindly eye? The photos are an illustration of seaside towns, drowning in souvenirs and XXL kebabs. A reflection on the image of one of Europe's most beautiful coasts, inundated with plastic nightmares. An ironic search for a bit of beauty in visual clutter.
Aga Sochal - A social scientist by education, professionally and for love I am involved in photography. I am currently finishing my studies in photography at the National Film School in Lodz. In photography I look for surprise, playing with the viewer, non-obviousness and a bit of humor. I'm interested in topics related to man, although, perversely, this one rarely appears in my photos. My works have appeared, among others, at the International Open Exhibition Self-Portrait in a Square (2021, 2022), the Foto Art Festival in Bielsko-Biała (2021), the Festival of New Art Labyrinth in Frankfurt (2021), the exhibition WALIZKA - night BAGGAGE... SEN, held at the Szklarnia gallery in Lodz, and at the currently ongoing solo exhibition at the APS gallery in Warsaw. In June, you will also be able to see my photos at two exhibitions taking place as part of Fotofestiwal in Lodz..
So much for the author, now the vote belongs to you, i.e. the readers - what do you think of the presented portfolios? Aga Sochal is certainly waiting for your comments....
