Pavlovka ArtGallery continues its series of festivals with existential themes. This year the theme of Pavlovka Pinhole Fest is “I, bridge-builder”, we raise the problematic question “Who am I?”

Who am I, in this maelstrom called the world? What am I doing here? How do I build bridges between the parts of my own self, and connections with the outside world? What helps me stay on the stage, and what, conversely, prevents me from being a part of the action?

Humans are creatures nurtured by society, and forced to play according to its rules. Some of us gladly accept the rules of the game, living at times by mimicry, dissolving into the masses, and consider this normal. Others play against the rules, resist the crowd in every way, and try to avoid joining the faceless grey mass.

How to find a balance between these extremes, and survive and not go crazy? How is it possible to build bridges, and at the same time not lose ourselves – to not lose the right to be different, break the laws of the game, even to dodge unwanted attacks in our direction? How is it possible not to get lost – in a world that has lost its true values, presenting us on a silver platter not only ready-made, but already chewed and digested product, leaving us little chance to think, reflect, or decide independently?

What should the socialized person do: join with others, or stand aside, respecting boundaries, defending one’s otherness? Where are the steps that lead to the social bridge that can connect the inner and outer worlds we live in?

Many of us function in society only behind a shell or mask, hiding our true self far in the depths. The real “us” is only there, where the tentacles of society do not reach – into our thoughts and feelings, into our joy and pain, into a hidden inner world, intangible and unreachable from the outside. The evil tentacles cannot touch that which can only be lived and felt by remaining truly alive.

It is possible to remain truly emotionally alive only having your own world to live in; and there is a way, an escape hatch from nothingness, a stepping-stone… it could be called anything, but there is a universal word to describe this – Art.

Art is one of the keys to knowing both one’s own self and the outside world; it is a bridge thrown over the abyss of non-existence.

We are waiting for your pinhole photos that show your vision of the theme: what is your way of building connections between inside and outside worlds; and a brief description of the concept of your works as it relates to the theme of the festival.

This year we are also expanding the boundaries of the fest by adding an “alternative photographic processes and hand made cameras and lenses” section as an experiment! (details in tech. Requirements)