Camera Obscura - The Convergence of Perspectives

The installation will be on display in Europe Square until the end of November 2019!

Author: Jakob Koncut
Producer: Mateja Zorn
Technical Support: Mark Mattiazzi, Goran Hvalič, DPE d.o.o.
Project Sponsor: Datapan d.o.o.

The concept of the installation connects the idea of the shared Goriška space with the key elements of the camera obscura phenomenon, provoking questions in the visitor that stimulate the formation of their own opinions, feelings, and emotions.

The camera obscura is an optical phenomenon that occurs in a dark room with a small hole, through which light enters. The small hole allows light to enter and project an inverted image of the outside view onto the interior of the dark space. The experience of complete darkness, light deprivation, and the almost tactile feeling of light are elements of the camera obscura that attract us due to their unusual nature and invite reflection. These elements form the inspiration and main guiding principles in the design of the installation.

The spatial layout of the installation is divided into two parts. The visitor enters a labyrinth where light gradually fades. The path continues in the dark, and the visitor must navigate the space using touch. During this time, their vision adapts to the darkness, and when they enter the central space, they see an inverted projection of the neighboring city on a curtain. The visitor can pass through the curtain to the other side of the space, where an inverted projection of the city they entered the installation from is displayed. The projection curtain, which physically divides the central space, represents the intersection of two cities and two perspectives on them, symbolically connecting them into an interdependent whole. The visitor continues through the second labyrinth, where they adapt to the light again and exit into the neighboring city.

In Darko Bratina's vision, the vast Goriška space, encompassing a cross-border territory with over 300,000 residents, is intended to be a place where the barycentric Gorica expands concentric circles, like a large embrace. To achieve this, a solid core of Gorica is needed, one that is open to the world, linguistically and culturally multi-layered, free from prejudice, and inclusive – a core that Darko symbolized with the concept "Two Goricas, one city," advocating for action according to the principle "think globally, act locally," as he wrote.

The project sponsor, Datapan, responsibly channels its acquired knowledge, skills, and capital into innovative projects and local space development. Culture and education are the inspiration, and in a partner dialogue with the economy, they bring opportunities for the development of the living culture of all its residents.

You can also view photos from the installation’s opening here!

Tribute to a Vision festival and its traveling concept have been bringing cinematic treats to our surroundings for 20 years. The unique connection between Slovenia and Italy and the blurring of artificially created borders makes it one-of-a-kind.

Film is now always within reach. With the rise of streaming platforms, access to films has never been easier. In an era dominated by colossal franchises targeting mainly young audiences, offering no depth or artistic value, it’s crucial not to forget that film, first and foremost, is an art form that integrates theater, dance, music, visual arts, and literature. Therefore, we believe supporting independent, artistic film is essential for its development.

Although we are a company working in maritime automation and operating worldwide, we strongly believe in local collaboration, particularly in the cultural sector, which we consider the backbone of any society. For this reason, we were happy to accept Mateja Zorn’s invitation to collaborate on the installation of the Camera Obscura, which will be set up in Trg Evrope as part of the festival. The square, symbolizing the convergence and union of the two Goricas, also represents the elimination of borders and the symbol of cultural integration.

Datapan d.o.o.