I was dealing with architecture for many years and I decided to address some current urban issues in a subjective way using photography. I realized that urban planning was too macro oriented, the lack of reference to developments at the micro level and the lack of personal contact with people and their spaces. At the time when many stories about urban regeneration of Savamala , neglected historic quarter of Belgrade are popular, I wanted to be a voice that will tell a short story about this part of the city, but a story that will ask questions, without giving answers. Every story about the space is the story about people, including this one. New traces directly talk with people through time and mark our existential space, so we are changing it and re-creating over and over again.
The focus of the session is on the doors and windows, a kind of portals, which represent the transition between the spheres of personal and public space. I wanted to express ambiguity, suggestive, multidimensionality, personality and symbolic meanings, in one word a paradox, a specific “genius loci” of Belgrade area Savamala.
The fact is that this state of Savamala represents consequence of historical, social and other circumstances and that even this shabby, Savamala owns authenticity, a certain charm and aesthetics and we can not really be sure what would be the effects of urban planning activities in this area. In this sense, considering all the contradictions of Savamala, we can not say with certainty whether we speak about regeneration or degeneration.
Is Savamala adornment or a stain on the face of Belgrade? Or both at the same time?
My name is Sanda Vitrović, I was born in Germany, but I live and work in Belgrade. I graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade. I work as interior designer and photograph. I participated in numerous photo exhibitions in SEE region, Italy and UK. My photos were published in many print and on-line magazines and blogs.
If you like my work check out my website http://sandavitorovic.com/
Writer. Blogger. Traveler. Researcher. Electronic Music Lover.
