Mala Gallery, Warsaw, 8, Zamkowy Sq.
From December 15, 1998 to January 3rd, 1999
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Jakub Byrczek "For Mother - Light" in Mala Gallery, Warsaw, Poland
Contacts - the contact photography
There much was already written about this method of photographing - since it surely is a definite method. It seems like contemporary photography supported by the most sophisticated equipment, computers and advanced technology has forgotten about the very essence of photography i.e. about the fact that the small piece of a recorded image constitutes a pure representation what through photographers decision was chosen and designed to be preserved. It is pure representation because it is not cropped or electronically processsed. In contact photography simple and well defined rules of photographing and printing directly from negative to photographic paper define the limits a photographer is free to act within. The existence of these limits causes unusual homogeneity and particular stylistic simplicity of pictures made by many artists. It appears that that these rigid rules do not discourage next new photographers to realize their artistic ambitions in the field of contact photography which they consider the purest and lacking any falseness form of their medium. These "meetings at photography, selection, declaration, conscious presence" should decide and enhance at the very moment of taking particular picture their conviction that the photography is worthy for itself, that it does not have to describe, relate or document anything.
Jakub Byrczek is consistently treating his photographic art this way since many years. Perhaps private atmosphere, concentration and a kind of silence accompanying his photography ensure that the pictures of Jakub Byrczek are more a substanialization of his psychosomatic states than a sophisticated composition printed on photographic paper. His work is marked by the same intimacy one can see in pictures of other artists employing this convention. But the pictures of Jakub Byrczek contain some mystery, kind of a metaphysical trace, which may be related to his interest in philosphy of the East and his affirmative attitude to life. So it seems to confirm what apologists of contact photography suggest: in the work of Jakub Byrczek there is possible to find peace and consolation, elusive atmosphere and contemplation. Such photography created in accordance with artist's own self is perhaps the most authentic.
Marek Grygiel
Jakub Byrczek "For Mother - Light" in Mala Gallery, Warsaw, Poland
Jakub Byrczek "For Mother - Light" in Mala Gallery, Warsaw, Poland
Jakub Byrczek in Mala Gallery. Photo by Wojciech Duszenko/GW
Jakub Byrczek's photography show in Mala Gallery in Warsaw, Poland (opening party on December 15, 1998)
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