Tunisia's people and places

Check photos of Tunisia on my website: www.eyesofchange.com (projects / Tunisia)

An African Arabic country with strong trade links with Europe and considerable freedom of religion, but restricted freedom of expression. A country in which women are resiliently denied equal opportunities and where journalists are still prosecuted for expressing different views from those of the government.

This project is about Tunisia's people and places. A rich mix of influences ranging from Arabic to Bedouin heritages, from day-to-day commerce to nomadic lives, from coffee shops to maze souqs, from recent fashion to millennium-old traditions.

Brighton Photo Biennial 2010

It's good to be back in the UK and visit the Brighton Photo Biennial 2010, curated by Martin Parr, who is definitely high on my list of favorite photographers.

A 'Night in Argentina' depicts life as in a maquette - be it fascist buildings or rural life and landscapes. A different perspective and great use of lighting techniques.

Having been denied to work in the UK, Alec Soth handled the camera to his seven-year-old daughter Carmen. An interesting surprise added to the Biennial.

If I had to choose just one venue to visit it'd be Fabrica, where it is crystal clear that Martin Parr was the curator of the exhibition - not only his self-portrait was in the middle of a collection of photo paintings from North East Brazil, but his touch and sarcasm had been spread throughout the installation of the seven collections of vernacular photography.

Really enjoyed discovering Oscar Fernando Gomez, who takes photos with an incredible composition from his taxi in Mexico, Suzanne Opton and her disturbing photos of (ex) American soldiers, and Viviane Sassen, who takes very symbiotic colour portraits in Africa.

Overall, a very interesting event that has given me various ideas...Let's see what will come up next!

Ah! And it was great to see my friends from Central St. Martins putting up such an amazing exhibition - Unexpected. Check their website and make sure you stop by if you go to Brighton.

The exhibition at St. Mary's Old Church went very well - more than 200 people visited!

I'm very happy with the exhibition of the Stands Alone project at St. Mary's Old Church.

First, it's really cool to have a whole church just for my photos with the projection of the film being in the altar! Second, more than 100 mostly very interested people visited the show today. Thirdly, it's great to see people having fun, reflecting and having a good time. Last but not least, I'm pleased I had the opportunity to exhibit at my local community.

Stands Alone Exhibition at St Mary's Old Church - Sep 3-5

If you enjoyed the first Stands Alone exhibition come and see more photos this weekend at St. Mary's Old Church.

If you missed the first one it's your chance to catch-up.

St. Mary's Old Church

Stoke Newington Church Street

N16 9ES

London

Opening hours:

Sep 3: 7-9pm

Sep 4-5: 11-4pm

Wedding Photography

I really enjoyed photographing this indian wedding. The bride and the groom were lovely, the outfits were beautiful and the ceremony and the party were full of energy. It reminded me of my wedding 5 years ago and it was interesting to now be on the other side of the camera.

On the streets of Ljubljana

While strolling on the streets of Ljubljana I met Fani, a lovely lady who sells flowers by the Ljubljanica River. Her granddaughter happened to be around and helped with the translation to Slovene.

Love is a Human Right - Photographing for Amnesty International at London Pride

Pride is about recognising and respecting the rights of all people to freely express their sexual identity without fear of discrimination or persecution. This year marked 40 years of the Gay Liberation Front, a revolutionary group of radical queens, hippies, students and activists who brought LGBT rights out in to the open.



See more photos here: http://www.protectthehuman.com/galleries/amnesty-at-pride-london-2010

Futurising

Stands Alone portfolio now available at Creative Match:

http://www.creativematch.com/portfolio/eyes_of_change/

World Refugee Day Umbrella Parade

On June 20, the World Refugee Day, asylum seekers, refugees and supporters marched together through central London carrying white umbrellas to celebrate (and demand) the protection of refugees.

Similar parades took place in eight other cities in Europe so we marched in solidarity with thousands of others across the continent.

See more of my photos at Amnesty's website: http://www.protectthehuman.com/galleries/umbrella-parade-for-refugee-week-2010

1st days of Stands Alone exhibition at Central St. Martins

I'm happy the exhibition is going well and that it has been popular. From children to adults everyone seems to be enjoying it. If you haven't visited the exhibition yet, you can still do it on June 21, 22, 23 and 24.

Stands Alone Exhibition at Central St. Martins - 18-24 June

A photography exhibition that explores what community means for those who now populate some of the 700 apartments located within the stands of a former football stadium.

Central St. Martins

College of Art & Design

107-109 Charing Cross Road

London WC2H 0DU

Opening hours:

18, 21, 22, 23 June 2010 – 12pm-8pm

19, 24 June 2010 – 12pm-6pm

http://www.arts.ac.uk/showtime/SimoneNovotny

http://csmphoto2010.com/

Press release - Stands alone

“It’d be nice if there were more opportunities to foster a community”

(Sarah, Highbury Square resident)

Simone Novotny’s Stands Alone Photography project explores what community means for those living today in a newly built residential complex in North London. This project reveals the lives and stories of more than 55 people that now populate some of the 700 apartments located within the stands of a former football stadium. A letter was posted into the mailbox of each resident inviting them to open their doors to the photographer. From designers to lawyers, students to teachers, engineers to architects, everyone lives behind similar doors distinct from each other only by a number.

Simone and the participants of this project are actually neighbours. They live in Highbury Square, the former Arsenal Stadium. Together with Simone they each developed a series of portraits in which they defined how, when and where they wanted to be represented in their homes.

Through vivid portrayals of dozens of residents, Simone Novotny exposes the singularity of people that are usually treated as a mass: in the past as fans, more recently as privileged residents. In Simone Novotny’s project they are Kate, Maria, Sophie, Greg, Bill, David… individuals who share the hopes of building a sense of community though stand alone.

One of the participants said “This is a really interesting project and I’m glad the history of the area and people’s stories are being documented”.

The result of these intimate documentary pictures depicts not only the aesthetics of these new houses, but also reflects the thoughts and emotions of residents. It shows how in modern societies – even though physically living closer to each other – people, even willing, find difficult nowadays to maintain, create and re-create a sense of living together.

Notes to the Editors:

1. For further information or images contact Simone Novotny, on 44 78 1827 3561 or simone.novotny@eyesofchange.com; www.eyesofchange.com

2. Simone Novotny has a post-graduate in Photography at Central St. Martins, London and MSc in Development at the London School of Economics. She has worked for Amnesty International, Red Cross and Concern Worldwide. Used to depict the lives of communities elsewhere, Simone Novotny decided that was time to explore the lives of her own neighbours.

3. Highbury Stadium Square is a modern housing complex in North London with more than 700 flats. Highbury Square was constructed between 2006 and 2009 within the grounds of the former Arsenal stadium. In 2008 the stands became flats and the pitch a ‘communal’ garden. The last game at Highbury on 19 April 2006 (Arsenal x Villareal).

Photographing the London Marathon for Amnesty International

Creative Islington

Check my profile at Creative Islington

How does it feel to be the subject of my own project?

I’ve put myself in my neighbours’ shoes earlier today when I became the subject of my own project and was photographed by two of my neighbours.

David and Olalla, the first neighbours I photographed for this project back in January, asked me whether someone would take photographs of myself in my flat and offered to take the photos. As this was always meant to be a participatory project in which my neighbours became protagonists rather than subjects I took this chance and had myself on the other side of the camera.

Interestingly, at the beginning I felt uncomfortable and anxious. I didn’t know what to do, what to expect, how to react. I actually wanted it to be over soon! Giving up power was an interesting experience and a great way to learn how it feels to have someone you do not know well taking your own picture. Photography is intimate and requires trust and confidence between photographer and subject/protagonist. It was valid to put myself in my subject’s shoes and I might from now on do that before I start any project just to make sure I empathise and understand better the ones I photograph.

I appreciate now more than ever how amazing those that took part in this project are!

How did you like taking part of the Highbury Stadium Square Photography Project?

It's been 3 months since I posted the letters onto my neighbors mailboxes and it's been a pleasure to photograph them.

For those of you who took part, how has it been so far? Did you enjoy the photo shoot? Post your comments here.

I've been busy photographing other flats (already 25!) and you will be able to see the final edition of photos around June/July.

There is still time if you haven't contacted me yet. Just give me a call or drop me a line if you are interested in taking part.

How does it feel to be taught in Magnum’s print room?

A weekend full of interesting people: art directors, editors and other photographers and uncomfortable chairs. Overall it as very good to attend the Magnum Photos Professional Practice course and discuss with my peers what is going on in the photography, journalism and arts world.

Taking photos for Amnesty International – campaign on corporate accountability

I always enjoy taking photos for Amnesty as it helps to bring change to stop human rights abuses. This time I photographed human rights activists in front of Vedanta headquarters in London. Vedanta’s planned mining operations threaten the human rights of indigenous communities in the Indian state of Orissa.

Learn more about Amnesty campaign and check my photos on Amnesty’s website.

Highbury Stadium Square Project

As part of my Post-Graduate at St. Martins College I am photographing my neighbours who live at Highbury Stadium Square using a mix of visual and written language.

It's been an amazing experience to meet my neighbours, photograph and film them, observe the difference amongst flats at Highbury Stadium Square. I feel more at home now that I met you.

Thank you very much for those of you who decided to take part at this project.

There is still time if you haven't contacted me yet. Just give me a call or drop me a line if you are interested.

If you would like to suggest any ideas for this project, please post them here.

Self-portrait with my family

On Christmas Eve I experimented taking self-portraits with my family. I guess my parents and husband make good, funny models and we had a good time taking dozens of shots using my new tripod.