Opening of the Photovoice exhibition
Join us for the opening of the Photovoice exhibition and a panel discussion on migration narratives at Villa Decius.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Villa Decius, and the Bezgranica Foundation are pleased to invite you to a panel discussion on migration narratives and the vernissage of works created during participatory photography workshops with migrants. The event will take place on November 29, 2024, at 7:00 PM at Villa Decius in Krakow.
The artistic vernissage concludes a series of participatory photography workshops for migrants. The workshops employed the Photovoice method, enabling participants to create visual narratives about their surroundings while sharing personal stories. This unique storytelling process through images engages cognitively and encourages reflection.
The statements presented in the Photovoice project are powerful testimonies that immerse us in diverse emotions, memories, and reflections on the participants' lives, migration experiences, and the impact of war. Each photograph combines artistic sensitivity with profound messages, sparking dialogue and contemplation about modern migration experiences.
The evening will also feature an expert panel discussion. Invited speakers will share their perspectives on crafting migration narratives, showcasing various approaches to the creative process.
Photography Authors:
Vlada Porkhun, Tamara Arkhypova, Vladyslav Chernikov, Nataliya Yermolayeva, Irina Minakova, Larysa Larionova
Panel Participants:
Anna Fiń – Sociologist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Cultural Sociology and Social Changes at the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow. She specializes in migration sociology, urban sociology, and cultural studies. Her research focuses on contemporary Polish migration to the United States (particularly New York), migration processes from Europe to the USA, and immigrant neighborhood dynamics. A Fulbright Scholar, she explores the role of photography in migration studies.
Urszula Tokarska – Psychologist and academic lecturer specializing in autobiographical narratives and the symbolism of human experiences. Her research interests focus on the psychology of the human life course, existential psychology, and the potential of qualitative methods in understanding and influencing contemporary human lives.
Dawid Zieliński – Photographer collaborating on migration topics with titles such as The Wall Street Journal, Le Monde, and FAZ. Winner of the 2016 Grand Press Photo award for a photograph of refugees in Greece.
Moderator:
Tomasz Padło – Documentary photographer born and based in Krakow. Educated at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management at Jagiellonian University. For many years, he has been studying the perception of space and works as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts at the at the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow.
Organizers:
IOM – International Organization for Migration: Part of the UN Agenda and a leading intergovernmental organization promoting orderly migration while respecting human rights and ensuring mutual benefits. In Poland, IOM supports migrants through activities in integration, protection, and direct assistance.
Bezgranica Foundation: A foundation promoting knowledge through visual arts, offering a unique perspective on migration and human integration issues. Using photography as a tool, it delves deeply into these topics.
Villa Decius Institute for Culture: Dedicated to promoting culture and heritage, Villa Decius collaborates with numerous cultural institutions worldwide and organizations supporting artists, creators, and scholars on both local and international scales. The Institute actively engages in Krakow's memberships, such as the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC), UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN). Its motto, "A Place for Encounters," underpins its activities, fostering dialogue, openness, and collaboration.
The artistic vernissage concludes a series of participatory photography workshops for migrants. The workshops employed the Photovoice method, enabling participants to create visual narratives about their surroundings while sharing personal stories. This unique storytelling process through images engages cognitively and encourages reflection.
The statements presented in the Photovoice project are powerful testimonies that immerse us in diverse emotions, memories, and reflections on the participants' lives, migration experiences, and the impact of war. Each photograph combines artistic sensitivity with profound messages, sparking dialogue and contemplation about modern migration experiences.
The evening will also feature an expert panel discussion. Invited speakers will share their perspectives on crafting migration narratives, showcasing various approaches to the creative process.
Photography Authors:
Vlada Porkhun, Tamara Arkhypova, Vladyslav Chernikov, Nataliya Yermolayeva, Irina Minakova, Larysa Larionova
Panel Participants:
Anna Fiń – Sociologist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Cultural Sociology and Social Changes at the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow. She specializes in migration sociology, urban sociology, and cultural studies. Her research focuses on contemporary Polish migration to the United States (particularly New York), migration processes from Europe to the USA, and immigrant neighborhood dynamics. A Fulbright Scholar, she explores the role of photography in migration studies.
Urszula Tokarska – Psychologist and academic lecturer specializing in autobiographical narratives and the symbolism of human experiences. Her research interests focus on the psychology of the human life course, existential psychology, and the potential of qualitative methods in understanding and influencing contemporary human lives.
Dawid Zieliński – Photographer collaborating on migration topics with titles such as The Wall Street Journal, Le Monde, and FAZ. Winner of the 2016 Grand Press Photo award for a photograph of refugees in Greece.
Moderator:
Tomasz Padło – Documentary photographer born and based in Krakow. Educated at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management at Jagiellonian University. For many years, he has been studying the perception of space and works as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts at the at the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow.
Organizers:
IOM – International Organization for Migration: Part of the UN Agenda and a leading intergovernmental organization promoting orderly migration while respecting human rights and ensuring mutual benefits. In Poland, IOM supports migrants through activities in integration, protection, and direct assistance.
Bezgranica Foundation: A foundation promoting knowledge through visual arts, offering a unique perspective on migration and human integration issues. Using photography as a tool, it delves deeply into these topics.
Villa Decius Institute for Culture: Dedicated to promoting culture and heritage, Villa Decius collaborates with numerous cultural institutions worldwide and organizations supporting artists, creators, and scholars on both local and international scales. The Institute actively engages in Krakow's memberships, such as the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC), UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN). Its motto, "A Place for Encounters," underpins its activities, fostering dialogue, openness, and collaboration.