Vojtěch V. Sláma

In his works the artists draws from the own principles of the photographic collective, Czech Parallax (Česká paralaxa), of which he was a member – and this concerns used cameras (a twin-lens reflex 6x6cm of the Flexaret brand, Rolleiflex, etc.), emphasis on perfect technical processing of pictures, as well as the overall poetic character of the resulting photographs. Sláma’s lifelong fascination is the beauty of common moments, which he captures in their uncommon noblesse. This causes simple situations to appear celebratory in resulting shots, in some cases almost celestial. However they lack any trace whatsoever of cheap ingratiation or perhaps kitsch. His work is not limited by genre – in his photos we find melancholic landscapes, domestic still-lifes, portraits and also figural motifs – an oftentimes all in one picture. An important link between images is thus first and foremost his ability to notice and capture the reality that we desire behind that which we actually see (or which is offered to us). Vojtěch V. Sláma submits in this way, with his square photographs, a sort of personal diary of an eternal fairgoer in a prettier and better world.