Tamás Hajdu’s series Eastern Mirror at FotoIstanbul Festival

The FotoIstanbul International Festival’s focus is on Hungary this year and besides the pictures of André Kertész and Capa Grand Prize-winner Arion Gábor Kudász, Tamás Hajdu’s series titled Eastern Mirror will be on show between October 1 and 30.

“The paint is falling off the walls; the old epochal cars are disassembled, and disoriented dogs are walking like ghosts through the dirty snow. But let’s not envisage that everything is part of a decaying surreal painting…

There is always somebody who can repaint a chipped wall, and through practical miracles ruined cars can be transformed into brand new ones. In short, total makeovers are still possible with a little bit of imagination.

I depict the everyday life in my Eastern European neighborhood: bits and pieces of a decomposing existence with its highs and lows. Photographs revealing the place’s dual nature—the laissez-faire attitude complemented by a strong willingness to change its fate.

Most of all, “Eastern Mirror” represents my best photos made during the past years.”

— Tamás Hajdu

Tamás Attila HAJDU was born in Simleu Silvaniei (Szilágysomlyó), Transylvania in 1976. He is a Hungarian veterinarian and photographer based in Baia Mare (Nagybánya), Romania. He was shortlisted at Sony World Photography Awards 2013 and a finalist at LensCulture Exposure Awards 2015 with his ongoing series shown here too. Tamás’ photographs were exhibited at multiple exhibitions including Photoville presented by Feature Shoot or the Spotlight Romania Show at GEMAK in The Hague. His work has also been featured in a number of photography magazines and publications including Punctum, Practical Photography, Vice, Lenscratch, Feature Shoot, The Independent, La Repubblica and The Guardian.

More details:
http://www.fotoistanbul.org
http://www.isztambul.balassiintezet.hu