Opening of the Photography Exhibition by Sanja Tošić: Confluences
Location: Galerija kvART
Time: 7.00 pm
Free entry
Sanja Tošić is an experienced photographer who, in this exhibition project, plays with the fusion and overlap of human and animal images, revealing similar entities or characteristics reflected in the photographic images. She emphasizes that her work goes beyond merely capturing and expressing images through the medium of photography; it is a form of visual semiotics – recognizing the iconicity and symbolism in the mirror signs of human-animal connections and uncovering invisible yet powerful bonds between the animal and human worlds. Animals are represented not only as companions to humans but also as "symbols of hidden layers of humanity, mirrors of untamed emotions, instincts, and archetypal energies that lie beneath the surface of everyday humanness" (Sanja Tošić). The author describes her work as "an exploration of our inner nature, where animals act as extensions of the human experience, as well as a reminder that we carry many natures within us – some gentle and familiar, others wild and unpredictable" (Sanja Tošić).
The metaphorical overlay of human and animal traits and images has long been present in folklore, particularly in oral traditions and folk tales. This is evident in numerous fables where animals embody human traits, emotions, and actions. In such stories, relationships are often one-sided – for instance, in fables, an animal easily transforms into a human guise, while humans are rarely portrayed as bearers of animal traits or images. This usually happens when a prince is enchanted into a dreadful, sorrowful beast or a cunning frog. The human traits embodied by animals always dominate; the animal behaves like a human, and the human – even if enchanted into an animal – still retains their human status. This reminds us of the historical invisibility and denial of animals as autonomous, sentient, and emotional beings with their own characteristics. Humans subjectively attribute traits to animals, thereby defining them. This raises the question of to what extent humans can decode animal images or whether we remain confined to anthropocentric frameworks, projecting our own emotional and sensory states onto the animal world.
In Sanja's photo compositions, however, we witness a more reciprocal process of metamorphosis. A parrot merges with a red-haired woman in the same way the woman merges with the parrot. The diverse images express similar characteristics or symbolism, which the author has captured and highlighted. Compared to the metaphorical storytelling or illustrations, photography appears more tangible, vivid, and convincing. In any case, the author's works reflect thoughtful combinations and formal sophistication, enabling the artist to blend sensory worlds in a way that highlights and expresses a shared sensory essence and bond between the two depicted entities.
The author has received multiple awards for some of the exhibited works, demonstrating that such photography requires not only an experienced photographic hand and technological equipment but also sensitivity, recognition of the background of images, emotional states, and characteristics. This elevates the photographer to an artist who, with her recognizable style and expressive virtues, delves into the world of images.
Text: Tanja Plešivčnik Zelenko
Organizer: ART KUHA, incubator of artistic and sustainable practices, and KVART in collaboration with CKŠP Izola
