Artists-in-Residence Programme @ Ludwik Zamenhof Centre, Bialystok (PL)
As far as a photographic aspect is concerned, Whiteslope is a formally simple project. It is rather a series of photos than a typology: beautiful men and luxuriant nature. These frames could serve as a visually-attractive advertising material for the local authorities. The human capital and the title heritage of Bialystok region are one thing, and the promotion of local patriotism, pride derived from the fact that „we’re from here” are another thing. Can we be sure, though, that these photos fit into the local context? Up to the present day, Petersen has been famous for his subversive projects. Even if it is not so obvious as in the case of Guys or Downtown, it is no exception this time either. The artist exposes a photographic film to capture portraits, landscapes, and the beauty of the motherland. Everybody would visit Whiteslope with pleasure as well as Downtown, but this land – as for now – exists only in the realm of art, in Oiko Petersen’s photos.
Adam Mazur Ph.D. | curator | Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw