The Golden Architecture of Pirot
To whom it may concern,
Presented visual-architectural works are not without reason done in the size of 60x60 cm. This format is exactly 10 times bigger than the tool that the author records his enthusiasm with the protected architecture of Pirot. The film is painted with light by the analog photography procedure, and its size is 6 x 6 cm. The author uses it to have a true presentation of the ancient architecture, in a manner that makes the photos look like they were made 100 years ago.
In addition to the topic he deals with in the field of architecture, protection and fine arts, the author uses photography with a specific aim. The analog technique opposes digital hyperproduction, like traditional cuisine and fast food. Of course, we live in the time of architecture that follows the mentioned trends and we think that the author has selected a small town in the Southeast of Serbia at the right time, to draw attention to the simple life itself, which is incomparably larger than our ego and also from our system of values formed under the influence of society. All twenty works in a specific way explore the symbols of spiritual and material existence, problems of society, culture, art and architecture.
But everything within the works, as well as their entirety, present a symbol for themselves, in which we read the author's view of himself and the world, inside and around him. That view is positive.
Even the very bad shape of the house of family Božilović or “Bela Mačka” is shown through the idea of good. These works certainly record their present state, in any sense, but the author reminds us of the value of the protected architecture not through darkness, but through the Light. However, the significance of this project is not in the effort the author has made to record the architecture that could truly become the “golden mine” of this town, but its significance is in the conviction, strength, simplicity and sincerity of his expression through architecture and fine arts.
PhD Ozhan Hancilar,
Pamukkale University, Turkey