International Photo Exhibition People. Places. Processes.

The exhibition presented photos by artists from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. It plunged visitors into daily challenges every one of us faces regardless of nationality and place of living.

All images reflect fears and concerns caused by social inequality, restriction of civil liberties, incomplete democratic processes, and high level of corruption. They also show wishes and dreams of ordinary people.

Having very different backgrounds, experiences and motivations, authors of 7 photo projects are very sensible to all social changes in their countries, in their works they share experience and feel empathy to their characters. The power of the photos consists of the combination of political and private lives of ordinary people

“With every art piece the authors tried to transfer clear and simple message about social problems that exist in each and every country. Everything that is shown on the photos – either places, people, or processes – all these appeals to the topics of freedom of self-expression, social justice and social equality. These three questions are not solely political. All situation on the photos are happening exactly now, they surround us, penetrate our daily life, challenge us. They also shape us as individuals, teach us to be different and be stronger, as well as educate us to be noble part of the society. I’m sure the exhibition will make the visitors feel empathetic, deeper understanding of the issues and bring a feeling of solidarity with the heroes. It will also give a new look at old problems from new angle,” - Olga Aleshka (Belarus/Poland), curator.

Authors of the photos:

Ramin Mazur (the Republic of Moldova),

Carolina Dutca (the Republic of Moldova),

Narek Aleksanyan (Republic of Armenia),

Dina Oganova (Georgia),

George Gogua (Georgia),

Alexander Sayenko (Republic of Belarus)

Emine Ziyatdinova (Ukraine).

The exhibition Places. People. Processes. motivates to achieve ideals of freedom, equality and justice; teaches to be different/special and be brave enough to defend own rights, especially, the rights for equal opportunities for self-realization.

The projects made visitors deliberate on the changes that should and could be done in the countries of Eastern partnership; made them search for new ways and methods to self-expression through arts, literature, peaceful demonstrations; and supported better dialogue between various actors: government and civil society, as well as between citizens themselves.

The exhibition organized by the Regional Office “Dialogue Eastern Europe” Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) was envisaged beyond that of a traditional artwork site to be platform for discussion facilitating an understanding of artistic work through the prism of social democratic values.

During the 5-days the exhibition Places. People. Processes. has been visited by more than 400 people of different ages. Most of them, youth aged 20-35. Such a big interest to the social-democratic topics once again emphasizes the relevance of the public discussion on core SD values in the countries of Eastern Partnership.

More photos from the event available here

Video from the event is available here