Highlighting War Scenes from Ukraine, Artists Explore Narratives and Reality in Photography

Provided by Busan International Photo Festival

The 'Busan International Photo Festival 2023' kicked off at F1963 Seokcheon Hall, a cultural hub in Mangmi-dong, Busan, on the 16th, featuring a captivating display of domestic and foreign documentary photography. Notable photographers like Paula Bronstein, Evgeny Maloetka, Choi Hyung-rak, and Kim Sang-hoon presented their poignant images of the Ukrainian war, marking the first special exhibition of its kind in Korea.
 

▲ ⓒ Paula Bronstein _ Ukraine War 082, 100x150cm

Paula Bronstein's showcase included evocative war photography, portraying the stark reality of rapidly multiplying graves adorned with crosses and the juxtaposition of brutal yet hauntingly beautiful funeral scenes set against the backdrop of a crimson sunset. Evgeny Maloetka's shots of residents brought to life the grim realities of conflict, painting a raw and visceral picture.
 

▲ Panoramic view of the Busan International Photo Exhibition / photo by Monica Jung

Curated under the theme 'Narrative of Photography' by Seok Jae-hyeon, the festival encompassed a main exhibition and a special exhibition, spotlighting the narrative power embedded within photography. The event featured 14 photographers from various corners of the globe, including Ukraine, aiming to vividly capture the artist's perspective that transcends time, blurring the lines between reality and fiction, memories and imagination, and history and culture, all intertwined with the discourse of war.

▲ Panoramic view of the Busan International Photo Exhibition / photo by Monica Jung

The theme exhibition, 'Visual Narrative,' allowed attendees to immerse themselves in the stories photographers are keen to convey, unraveling narratives from different parts of the world. Divided into two sections, the festival aimed to showcase works that enhance the completeness of a narrative through the artist's active intervention, highlighting how fiction within a single frame can often feel more palpable than reality itself.

▲ ⓒ Evgeniy Maloetka _ MAL02722, 65x98cm
The second section, 'Narratives of the War in Ukraine,' emerged as Korea's inaugural special exhibition, offering a glimpse into the war's unfamiliar landscape. It depicted not only the harsh realities of human struggle, anxiety, and fear but also showcased the indomitable human spirit and everyday life that persisted amidst the turmoil.

▲ Panoramic view of the Busan International Photo Exhibition / photo by Monica Jung
The 'Busan International Photo Festival,' now in its 7th year, is a private-led event fueled by the passion of representatives from various photography groups in Busan, deeply devoted to the art of photography.

Alongside the theme exhibition, the festival featured special segments like 'Re&Discovery_Photographers of Busan,' 'Youth Exhibition,' and 'Odessa Photo Days Festival Mentoring Program,' offering a comprehensive experience for photography enthusiasts and art aficionados. From free exhibitions to portfolio reviews and the Onbit Documentary Photography Workshop, the festival showcased the power of visual storytelling.▲ Panoramic view of the Busan International Photo Exhibition / photo by Monica JungThe 'Busan International Photo Festival' is set to captivate audiences at F1963 in Busan from the 13th to October 12th.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com