I am, Next Summer

A photographer based in Bulgaria, my work is connecting personal themes with external influences or threats. The current project that I present is an ongoing work about my own intimate relantionship and partner and our environment, in which we live in.

The project 'I am, next summer' is engaging the subject of queer relationship in the midst of family, friends and the societal environment. Situated in Bulgaria, a country in the Balkans, which, though modernized and accepted in the western world, is still carrying its socialism bequest. Whatever goes against the traditional understanding of a family attracts a rooted animosity towards exposing a relationship outside ‘the norm’, even by quoting biblical and religious reasoning. Therefore, it is a work that needs to earn the freedom to be told and shown, at least in the East.

Along with that, 'I am, next summer' is a most personal subject, for the lens is pointed at the relationship between me as an author and my boyfriend, our families, friends and our own environment.

The photographic approach aims to blend documentation and composing, to capture fleeting moments as visual notes. With these photographs the desire is to invite the viewer to endulge in curiosity, to embrace same sex closeness, lust, nakedness, intimacy, warmth, and vulnerability - all stereotyped to exist outside of societal norm, being gay.

As an ongoing project, there are future chapters to be added still. For example, currently I am collecting materials that are not photography - articles regarding various LGBTQ+ topics and how are they presented in the local media, commentaries of the general public on social media, which often is beyond hostile.

My intentions for the finished work in the future is to present the whole project in a book form and as an exhibition.