Creative Publishing House and Mykolaiv School of Conceptual and Art Photography MYPH have jointly prepared a photo book “Conceptual Photography”. The aim is to inform the domestic and international audience about contemporary conceptual photography in Ukraine, demonstrating the work of its brightest representatives. The authors of the book are Lucia Bondar, Creative Publishing, and Sergey Melnychenko, photographer, founder of the school of conceptual and art photography MYPH. Ekaterina Korolevtseva worked on the design of the cover, and the author of the main photo was Oksana Master.
Sergey Melnychenko says that it was from the photo of the jar with canned tomatoes by Oksana Master, which was placed on the cover of the publication, that the cooperation of the publishing house with MYPH began in part: “In my opinion, this jar is both authentic and attractive. At the Ukrainian Art Festival last year in Berlin, Lucia Bondar fell in love with this work and bought it from us. In total, she bought two photos. In fact, this is where the discussion began to create a joint book. She said she wanted to prepare an edition about contemporary photography. I replied that it was cool and suggested the idea — to show conceptual contemporary photography through the lens of MYPH students.”
Conceptual Photography contains quite different themes, directions and genres of photography with which the authors work. These are digital photography, film, hand printing, instant photography, etc. Photographers demonstrate their artistic vision without being afraid to experiment in their work.
“There are many projects that are somehow or directly related to the reflections and states in which the authors are in during our present — full-scale invasion,” explains Serhiy Melnychenko. “In particular, in the book there is my project “Tattoo of War”, which shows these events. Although we are not represented as documentarians in the book, these moods can be seen through the prism of conceptual art photography.”
The selection of works is accompanied by an article by the leading representative of the Kharkiv School of Photography Roman Pyatkovka, which talks about the universal creative technique of collage, spontaneity and unpredictability of instant action cameras and experiments with alternative photographic methods.
Sergey Melnichenko says that this book is, in particular, a great opportunity for students of the MYPH school to present themselves in the world, to show their own achievements. According to him, photobooks in the world are spreading faster than exhibitions. “Therefore, there is a greater likelihood that books will quickly spread from Ukraine to the United States or Japan and that authors will be invited to exhibitions, fairs, festivals or any other events,” he says.
Sergey Melnichenko says that this book is, in particular, a great opportunity for students of the MYPH school to present themselves in the world, to show their own achievements. According to him, photobooks in the world are spreading faster than exhibitions. “Therefore, there is a greater likelihood that books will quickly spread from Ukraine to the United States or Japan and that authors will be invited to exhibitions, fairs, festivals or any other events,” he says.
The book has already been published, it was presented to the general public in Kyiv. The publication is bilingual: in Ukrainian and English. Anyone can buy a photobook at site publishing houses, as well as on other platforms and bookstores: www.yakaboo.ua, www.book-ye.com.ua, Kniga.biz.ua, www.book.ua etc.
The material was created with the support of The Fritt Ord Foundation.
Creative Publishing House and Mykolaiv School of Conceptual and Art Photography MYPH have jointly prepared a photo book “Conceptual Photography”. The aim is to inform the domestic and international audience about contemporary conceptual photography in Ukraine, demonstrating the work of its brightest representatives. The authors of the book are Lucia Bondar, Creative Publishing, and Sergey Melnychenko, photographer, founder of the school of conceptual and art photography MYPH. Ekaterina Korolevtseva worked on the design of the cover, and the author of the main photo was Oksana Master.
Sergey Melnychenko says that it was from the photo of the jar with canned tomatoes by Oksana Master, which was placed on the cover of the publication, that the cooperation of the publishing house with MYPH began in part: “In my opinion, this jar is both authentic and attractive. At the Ukrainian Art Festival last year in Berlin, Lucia Bondar fell in love with this work and bought it from us. In total, she bought two photos. In fact, this is where the discussion began to create a joint book. She said she wanted to prepare an edition about contemporary photography. I replied that it was cool and suggested the idea — to show conceptual contemporary photography through the lens of MYPH students.”
Conceptual Photography contains quite different themes, directions and genres of photography with which the authors work. These are digital photography, film, hand printing, instant photography, etc. Photographers demonstrate their artistic vision without being afraid to experiment in their work.
“There are many projects that are somehow or directly related to the reflections and states in which the authors are in during our present — full-scale invasion,” explains Serhiy Melnychenko. “In particular, in the book there is my project “Tattoo of War”, which shows these events. Although we are not represented as documentarians in the book, these moods can be seen through the prism of conceptual art photography.”
The selection of works is accompanied by an article by the leading representative of the Kharkiv School of Photography Roman Pyatkovka, which talks about the universal creative technique of collage, spontaneity and unpredictability of instant action cameras and experiments with alternative photographic methods.
Sergey Melnichenko says that this book is, in particular, a great opportunity for students of the MYPH school to present themselves in the world, to show their own achievements. According to him, photobooks in the world are spreading faster than exhibitions. “Therefore, there is a greater likelihood that books will quickly spread from Ukraine to the United States or Japan and that authors will be invited to exhibitions, fairs, festivals or any other events,” he says.
Sergey Melnichenko says that this book is, in particular, a great opportunity for students of the MYPH school to present themselves in the world, to show their own achievements. According to him, photobooks in the world are spreading faster than exhibitions. “Therefore, there is a greater likelihood that books will quickly spread from Ukraine to the United States or Japan and that authors will be invited to exhibitions, fairs, festivals or any other events,” he says.
The book has already been published, it was presented to the general public in Kyiv. The publication is bilingual: in Ukrainian and English. Anyone can buy a photobook at site publishing houses, as well as on other platforms and bookstores: www.yakaboo.ua, www.book-ye.com.ua, Kniga.biz.ua, www.book.ua etc.
The material was created with the support of The Fritt Ord Foundation.
UAPP is an independent association of professional Ukrainian photographers, designed to protect their interests, support, develop and promote Ukrainian photography as an important element of national culture.
UAPP's activities span educational, social, research and cultural initiatives, as well as book publishing.
UAPP represents Ukrainian professional photography in the international photographic community and is an official member of the Federation of European Photographers (FEP) — an international organization representing more than 50,000 professional photographers in Europe and other countries around the world.
