Abstract of the accomplished photographic work
“Ugljevik: The Land of Coal and Exile” is a photographic chronicle that captures the collision of idealism and reality in Ugljevik, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through evocative imagery, the project documents the lives of families displaced by the expansion of the coal mine and power plant, juxtaposing the industrial landscape with the intimate, emotional scars of exile. The photographs reveal abandoned homes, the vast open-pit mine, and the resilient faces of those who mourn their lost land while adapting to a new reality. The work delves into the socialist vision of collective prosperity, contrasting it with the personal toll of displacement. By focusing on atmospheric details and subtle human moments that don’t exist anymore, the project preserves a vanishing way of life, offering a poignant reflection on the cost of progress. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of a community navigating the tension between their past and an uncertain future.
Description of the project you intend to pursue through the Prize
Through the Prize, I intend to pursue a documentary project titled “Ugljevik: The Land of Coal and Exile.” This project will explore the complex interplay between industrial progress and human displacement in Ugljevik, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a town defined by its coal mine and power plant. Using photography and narrative storytelling, I will document the lives of those displaced by the mine’s expansion, capturing their memories, struggles, and resilience. The project will also examine the broader socio-political context of socialist idealism and its aftermath, revealing how the pursuit of collective prosperity often comes at a personal cost. By focusing on intimate details and atmospheric nuances, I aim to create a poignant chronicle of a community caught between progress and loss, ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations. This project is a metaphor for the universal tension between development and displacement, offering a deeply human perspective on the consequence