In over 20 exhibited portraits taken by the University of Lodz photographer Bartosz Kałużny, you can see people who volunteered for the project and wanted to share their stories with a wide audience.
Bartosz portrayed, among others: people living every day with ACoA syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder or ADHD. A visually impaired person, transgender men and a Jew from Lodz also tell their stories. The photos show a vegan, a man after a nervous breakdown, a Ukrainian woman and an atheist, and these are not all the stories. However, each of them is different, which can be seen in the frames and textual layer of the exhibition.
FULL PHOTO REPORT FROM THE OPENING IS AVAILABLE ON THE UNIVERSITY FLICKR
DYWERS is an artistic and educational project, which is designed primarily so that all viewers could get to know the stories of those portrayed. The photos are accompanied by descriptions taken from my conversations with the participants. The portraits were created in various aesthetics, although they all fit into the so-called staged photography. There are references to the visual arts of the past, including 19th-century painting and photographic practices from the early 20th century. One of the photos smuggles in a quote from Rebecca Solnit about empathy – an ability that we still have too little of as a society
– explains the author.
The slogan of Fotofestiwal 2024 is "Freeing/Letting go/Release/Liberation". The DYWERS exhibition, which promotes diversity and fights stereotypes, fits perfectly into this theme
– said Krzysztof Candrowicz from the Fotofestiwal collective during the exhibition opening.
University of Lodz is guided by, among other things, respect, cooperation and courage. Therefore, our university attracts equality activities that aim to fight stereotypes. It also attracts people who want to take such actions
– added the University of Lodz Vice-Rector, Prof. Agnieszka Kurczewska.
Projects such as DYWERS are always a great adventure and a journey, but I have not completed this journey alone. This exhibition would not be possible without you – people who wanted to share their stories and which we translated into the photographs we created. I would like to thank you first of all
– said Bartosz Kałużny, who preceded taking photos with conversations and strictly agreed on the method of portraiture with those photographed.
Bartosz is a Doctor of Political Science, so he looks at a painting differently than other artists. He sees it more as a medium that carries information. This is important in the case of socially engaged projects. These photographs have a great subversive potential, they show us networks of connections between power and knowledge
– noted the curator of the exhibition, Prof. Marek Domański from the Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts Łódź.
ABOUT THE PROJECT FROM ITS PARTICIPANT'S PERSPECTIVE
One of the project participants, Weronika Tomiak (founder of the Neuroróżnorodni Foundation) shared her thoughts about DYWERS with us.
There are no two people that are the same in this world. It may seem obvious, but it is an extraordinary phenomenon that is easy to forget, thinking that others are in the same situation as us. We often forget that it is possible to experience something in a different way, and it is thanks to such events that we can get to know these different experiences a little better (e.g. so as not to be afraid of them or not to deny them).
I would like to thank everyone involved in this project. I am proud that I had the chance to take part in it. I am glad that the academic community is open to cooperation, is starting to discuss the topic of social diversity and is doing it in such a beautiful way.
I hope that the University of Lodz will inspire universities in Poland to undertake further projects supporting diversity and inclusion, and that these initiatives will permanently become a part of the activities of the education and science sector, at every level.
Why did I take part in the DYWERS project? Because I want to spread acceptance of differences, even those that are invisible or difficult to notice to the human eye, and I want to counteract stereotypes. I want all diversity to gain respect and acceptance, even in the face of difficulties in understanding it, which are sometimes inevitable. After all, we are quite complex!
Acceptance of social diversity and activities on its behalf are crucial for the functioning of civil society. Building communities based on respect, empathy and openness is an expression of our democratic values and civic participation.
May this evening be a reminder for us of our diversity, but also of our equality. May it also be a step towards learning about other experiences (without fully experiencing them).
NOT JUST A PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT
DYWERS is not only an exhibition of photographs – the whole project also involves:
- Human Library, which was held on 22 June (Saturday) at the Biedermann’s palace.
- Workshop on diversity and overcoming stereotypes, which took place on 24 June at the exhibition space (Wozownia Gallery at the Biedermann’s Palace); the classes were be led by Dr Agata Rudnicka.
- Film screenings during the 17th TME Polówka Summer Film Festival as part of DYWERS section at the Bierdermann’s Palace when you will be able to see the exhibition.
Edit: Bartosz Kałużny (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
The mission of the University of Lodz is to conduct reliable research and actively disseminate facts and research results so as to wisely educate future generations, be useful to society and courageously respond to the challenges of the modern world. Scientific excellence is always our best compass. Our values include: courage, curiosity, commitment, cooperation and respect.