“BEING TWENTY”

- FOTOGRAFIA EUROPEA

The project "Being Twenty" explores the challenges faced by a young generation in a world full of contradictions. At its center is a 20-year-old pregnant woman, photographed in a desolate building marked by decay and relics of past order. Her story reflects the tension between the decay of affluence, social isolation through social media, and global uncertainties. Amid war and change, she symbolizes the expectations we place on the present, the future, and perhaps eternity.

Visual Implementation and Symbolism

The series evolves both technically and visually:

Digital photos at the beginning: Clear, bright images symbolize the superficial semblance of control in a world shaped by social media. The building appears tangible, and the holy images on the walls strongly evoke a sense of past strength.

Transition to analog photos: The images become grainier and less sharp, amplifying the protagonist's uncertainty and emotional depth.

Final analog photos – increasing darkness: The last photos are dark and blurry, representing an uncertain future, but also the possibility of a new beginning. The protagonist thus becomes a metaphor for transformation.

Light and Composition

Natural light enhances authenticity, while shadows and darkness increase throughout the series. The holy images gradually fade into the background, placing greater focus on the young woman and her pregnancy.

Message

"Being Twenty" portrays the transformation of a generation seeking its path amid uncertainty. The shift from digital to analog photography and the increasing darkness make this transformation tangible. The project invites reflection on responsibility, expectations, and hope—for now and the future.