„A middle-sized city in the center of Poland, halfway between the mountains and the Baltic Sea. Neither rich, nor really poor, with a typical history of a region's industrial capital which blossomed in the time of state socialism and lost that position after 1989. Such places evolve in a very special way. With advancements in technology and funds from the European Union, the look of both the city and the people has been changing. But still, both remain a medley of the past they come from and the effects of modernization, influenced by the local mentality. A halfway state, in between present and past, between east and west, between here and now.“
There has been a specific trend in Polish photographic books in recent years to present the reality of the small provincial towns, where one can still find relics of the previous system. Those have a special atmosphere and a unique, a bit nostalgic scenery. Many photographers focus on Silesia or other, more neglected regions, exposing local folklore blended with poverty to convey the ephemeral charm of the past. Karbowski seemed to have a slightly different idea when choosing to depict “a middle-sized city in the centre of Poland.” In his second publication, following The New Poles, the photographer confirms his liking for ordinary topics and average characters. The scenery is, however, only a medium to present significant, universal occurrences and transformations in a more panoramic perspective. The town we are looking at could be placed almost anywhere in Poland and perhaps in a few other European countries. In his previous book, the author looked at the young generation coming of age in a capitalist country and trying to create a reality for themselves. Following the path, he presents the town growing out of the previous regime, adapting to various influences and benefits from Western Europe.
In his compositions, Karbowski emphasizes the natural elements of economic growth and prosperity, such as new developments, technological modernizations, and social events. Interesting is the way of engaging characters in his narration. The models are captured in casual, arranged situations at work, school, during sports competitions, or music performances. They don’t seem to pose for the picture or interact with the camera – they almost seem unaware of its existence, focused on their concerns, dreams, and hopes.
The importance of this publication lies in its ability to depict apparent, casual reality from a long-term perspective. Despite creating a subjective portrait of the particular environment, Karbowski raises the question of the potential continuation of the processes we witness. He can do that without getting involved, commenting, or moralizing but by observing and underlining certain elements. Thus one can ask himself if the “halfway” is just a long phase on the way to the next stage.
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The physical copy of the book is mounted in a way that does not disrupt the impression of the indirect nature of the project. The gray fabric cover doesn’t bring the attention of the viewer. It is easy to skip it on a bookshelf. The picture on the cover depicts a green landscape with the river and factory buildings in the background, which hasn’t got anything characteristic. It is neither ugly nor charming. We are left with a slightly unsatisfying feeling as nothing catches one’s glance or keeps the image in our memory.
Hardcover, cloth bound with tipped in image, 500 copies, 450 of which numbered, signed. Design by Martyna Wyrzykowska, text by Krzysztof Pijarski, co-editing by Krzysztof Pijarski and Mateusz Sarello. Instytut Kultury Wizualnej 2015 (http://www.sklep.sztukawizualna.org/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=257)
