In a celebration of creativity and cultural introspection, the Hangar Gallery in Belgium is currently showcasing the 10th edition of the Photo Brussels festival. This year’s exhibition, curated by Lee Shulman, features a captivating collection titled The Anonymous Project, which invites visitors to explore the multifaceted nature of family life through found photography. With a backdrop of mid-century charm, Shulman’s work is a poignant reminder of the stories held in everyday moments.
The House: A Nostalgic Setting
As the biting winter chill envelops Belgium, The House, Shulman’s immersive installation, offers a warm sanctuary infused with mid-century nostalgia. The exhibition’s design cleverly utilises secondhand furniture sourced from various online marketplaces, creating a homey atmosphere that resonates with the essence of family life. Among its highlights is a charming 1950s caravan, now a globe-trotting artefact, which once served as a humble holiday retreat.
The collection itself is a treasure trove of personal narratives, featuring an array of family snapshots that capture candid moments—be it children playing on the beach or relatives gathered for birthday celebrations. Shulman’s journey began in 2017 when he stumbled upon a box of vintage slides, igniting his passion for uncovering the hidden stories behind these forgotten images. His meticulous archiving of over 400,000 slides has transformed them into a compelling artistic narrative, where each photograph is regarded as a miniature masterpiece.
Intimacy and Reconciliation: Dear Father
At the heart of the festival’s offerings is Brazilian photographer Danilo Zocatelli’s powerful work, *Dear Father, I believe we found our peace*. This deeply personal project explores Zocatelli’s complex relationship with his father, shaped by traditional masculine expectations in rural Brazil. The stark contrast between Zocatelli’s identity as a gay man and his father’s rigid views creates a poignant narrative of disconnection and longing.
In a remarkable twist, Zocatelli managed to engage his father in a collaborative art project, where the older man dons a wig and makeup. Initially approached with scepticism, the project evolved into a profound exploration of intimacy and acceptance. Zocatelli reflects, “At first my father treated it as a joke, but through this process, we forged a deeper connection that transcended our differences.”
The Kingdom of Mosquitoes: Nature and Memory
French artist Sylvie Bonnot presents her thought-provoking series, *The Kingdom of Mosquitoes*, which delves into colonial memory and humanity’s relationship with nature. Venturing into the Amazon rainforest, Bonnot captures the custodians of this vital ecosystem, using a unique technique she calls “moulting.” This method involves peeling the silver gelatin skin from her photographs, creating layered artworks that serve as a metaphor for the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world. Her work serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for preservation in an era of ecological crisis.
A Harrowing Reflection: The Stasi Secret Rooms
Across the city, the festival extends to various galleries, including KlotzShows, where the haunting *Stasi – Secret Rooms* project by Daniel and Geo Fuchs unveils the chilling realities of East Germany’s secret police. Their photographs, reminiscent of a Wes Anderson aesthetic, compel viewers to confront the stark history of political oppression. The artists, who grew up in West Germany, aim to preserve these sites as a testament to the suffering endured by countless individuals under the regime.
Documenting Lives: Oleksandr Glyadyelov’s Ukrainian Chronicle
One of the festival’s most impactful exhibitions features the work of Ukrainian photojournalist Oleksandr Glyadyelov. For the first time, his extensive body of work is displayed outside Ukraine, showcasing the stark realities faced by the nation over decades of turmoil. From images of street children in the 1990s to scenes of conflict in Kyiv, Glyadyelov’s lens captures the resilience of a people caught in a relentless cycle of upheaval and hope.
Why it Matters
The Photo Brussels festival is more than just an exhibition; it is a vital dialogue about memory, identity, and the human condition. Each artist’s work beckons us to confront our pasts and understand our present, highlighting the profound connections we share across cultures and experiences. As we navigate an increasingly complex world, these visual narratives remind us of the importance of storytelling in fostering empathy and understanding among diverse communities.
