Seeing Through Smoke and Mirrors

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jan 31

Is this the truth or just alternative facts? How much can we trust information which has been compromised by ignorance, politicians and media outlets? Photographer Domonkos Varga creates an open dialogue and calls into question the fundamental concept of what is real.

Photography and Text  Domonkos Varga

In my project ‘Seeing Through Smoke and Mirrors’, I deconstruct the basic concept of truth from the standpoint of our contemporary social environment.

As Nietzsche once said: “There are no facts, only interpretations.”

The following quote stands as a statement supporting our present-day information disarray grasped by politicians and media outlets. The mindset of individuals became vulnerable owing to the idea of alternative facts. Consequently, the process of an ever- growing polarisation and mass disinformation matured ubiquitously.

With factuality losing its power, the very existence of objective truth fades away from our global social mentality. So the question is: was it ever adequate to search for a fundamental truth? Working with the medium of photography, I examine the primal relevance of truth to help the realisation of a world of chaos.

I decontextualise landscapes, gestures and poses in my metaphoric photographs to illustrate the notion of post-truth and the nihilistic situation of our uncertain social milieu. My visuals also interpret such problematic concepts as the representation in photography and the haphazard manner of viewpoints.

“The title ‘Seeing Through Smoke and Mirrors’ refers to a mirage.”

The title ‘Seeing Through Smoke and Mirrors’ refers to a mirage. The origin of the phrase goes back to the 19th century as these two elements were the basis of the classical techniques in magical illusion and phantasmagoria shows.

In a figurative sense, the term could imply a condition. Where a more speculative and conspirative cognition challenges the rationalised knowledge of the Western culture.

“I’m living in an era where information is highly accessible but people still can not differentiate facts from fiction, I feel an urge to find my truth.”

About Domonkos

Domonkos Varga (b. 1998) is a photographer and conceptual artist based in Budapest. His work portrays the influential elements of the world around him and his generation. Simultaneously, he also has the will to make an impact on people by drawing attention to problematic social issues.

His projects are always featuring a well-researched background from which he constructs visual metaphors and builds up meaningful narratives.

He studied Photography at Moholy-Nagy University of Arts and Design (Budapest) and Aalto University School of Arts and Design (Helsinki). He is a Parallel Photo Platform 3rd cycle artist and also a member of Studio of Young Photographers (FFS in Budapest).

To see more of his work, visit his website or follow him on Instagram

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Seeing Through Smoke and Mirrors

Is this the truth or just alternative facts? How much can we trust information which has been compromised by ignorance, politicians and media outlets? Photographer Domonkos Varga creates an open dialogue and calls into question the fundamental concept of what is real.

As Nietzsche once said: “There are no facts, only interpretations.”

“The title ‘Seeing Through Smoke and Mirrors’ refers to a mirage.”

“I’m living in an era where information is highly accessible but people still can not differentiate facts from fiction, I feel an urge to find my truth.”

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