The Town of Krk: 20 May – 03 June 2025
Town of Krk Days: Within the Shadow, From the Shadow, photography exhibition by Nives Papandopulo
Decumanus Gallery
Curator: Luisa Ritoša
Opening: 20 May, at 09.00 pm
Working hours: Mon. – Sat. 10.00 – 12.00 am; 07.00 – 09.00 pm
Organizer: Center for culture of Krk
In the endless noise of information, the works of Nives Papandopulo emerge like small oases of respite, each frame exuding tranquility and contemplative depth. A diagonal composition is often present, structuring the components of the image and setting it in motion. Even though reduced to its basic elements, her photography remains visually lively and dynamic. These works can be divided into two segments, one carrying a serious tone, imbued with reflections on life and existence, while the other expresses joie de vivre – the joy, spontaneity, and beauty of life. Both segments are intricately intertwined, much like the yin-yang symbol, and together they represent a unique visual diary of the artist.
In her works, black-and-white photography becomes a storytelling tool. The play of light and shadow shapes cinematic scenes, revealing hidden meanings. She allows us to play with recognizing secret signs in clouds, shadows, and landscapes. The recurring motif of the mysterious man with a hat evokes alienation and connects us with existential themes. Her photographs depict the inner struggle for meaning, provoking sens of melancholy, and alienation. In The Gates, moments of separation evoke nostalgia, while the poetic portrait of her dying father carries deep emotional weight. Her landscapes, with their vastness and light, evoke Camus’ scenes from his essay collection The Summer (L’été.1942), where the search for meaning intertwines with Mediterranean landscapes.
Nives Papandopulo explores the search for meaning, melancholy, and alienation, particularly focusing on inner struggles. The photographs, created during the pandemic, reflect a slowed-down world and humanity’s place within nature. Her camera often seeks answers in the sky, exploring the transience of life. Her work invites slow observation, revealing beauty in fleeting moments and the meaning found in hidden shadows. (Luisa Ritoša)
