Monday 30 April 2012

Trip to Poland part 2


It was only a few days ago when I was cycling around the site of the mine in Poland. That place has changed a lot since I have been there last time. Boguszyczki and Ostrowo, villages that are part of Wierzbinek Commune located in Wielkopolska Region have almost disappeared from the map of Poland. I spoke to the people who stayed amongst nothing but big mountain of sand, so much dust and noise. They trusted me and shared their personal stories. It was incredible.. Lovely Labyrinth team quickly developed all my negatives. After whole day of scanning yesterday the images are waiting for me to make an edit. I can’t wait to listen to all the interviews I have recorded and start putting the story together.


Thursday 19 April 2012

On a bus


                          © Ula Wiznerowicz
I landed in Bydgoszcz. As usual, a friend of mine picked me up from the airport and drove back to her house. Time passed so fast that before I even realised, I was already seating on a bus, heading home. It was 7 a.m. in the morning. The road was almost empty and there was a silence on the bus as well, nobody was talking. I stole a glance at some passengers whose eyes were fixed upon a distant horizon. I decided to do the same and I stared at the well-known Polish landscapes. I saw those spindly birch trees and finally felt that I am getting close to my home. My heart started beating faster and I couldn't stop thinking about my project, people I am going to meet and stories I am about to listen to this time.

Monday 16 April 2012

Trip to Poland

I'm getting ready for my trip home, doing some research and trying to find an easy explanation why all of my projects lead me to the same place, which is Poland. I came across an interesting essay by Rosamund Bartlett: “The Meaning of Motherland” applying to Simon Roberts body of work "Motherland". Bartlett talks about a sense of belonging to some place and love for the motherland. I think that is what inspires me to tell a story about my physical and mental attachment to my native landscapes. '…meditative landscapes – clusters of spindly birch trees under cloudy skies, village churches next to modest ponds, and houses surrounded by snow.' writes Bartlett and I automatically see this picture in my mind.

The project about Stripe Mine, hasn't got a title yet and it is something I have to figure it out :) In January 2010 The Tomislawice Strip Mine has started preparation to be ready for mining lignite for the beginning of 2011. The deposit is based on the southern and central parts of Wierzbinek Commune in Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) where I grew up. More soon...



                        © Ula Wiznerowicz

Sunday 15 April 2012

Portfolio printing

As a part of the prize for winning Ideas Tap & Metroprint Portfolio Award I have had my first session mentoring from Young Photographers Alliance. Warm welcoming, nice tour around Metroprint and great conversation with Lisa Creagh completely made my day:)