Camper Obscura on Tour: Monika Fischbein 

Photographer Monika Fischbein will be at Exeter Phoenix as part of her tour around the South West cities (Bristol, Exeter & Plymouth) with her project National Identity. She will be based outside Exeter Phoenix front steps in Fotonow’s Camper Obscura, a mobile camera obscura in a VW camper van! The Camper Obscura travels around the country, entertaining the public with a unique visual perspective on the world. Drop-in and share your own story of your national identity with Monika, all the photographs and interviews from the day will be exhibited at Plymouth Art Weekender in September. 

The project titled National Identity involves participants in a discussion, which addresses the different approaches exploring how do people’s nationality affect their lives and how does this impact on contemporary society? It responds to particular needs of the changing face of modern culture. It poses the question and challenges the notion of the importance of this matter. Through conversation, using the method of authoethnography, (which involves sharing, analysing and recording personal stories of experience) the individual’s national identity, its importance and its affect on lives can be unveiled. The project offers additional socio-cultural layers and also provides an insight into contemporary issues and complexities affecting voluntary or forced dislocation today, whilst appreciating the role of authentic dialogue with the community. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Monika Fischbein (b. 1977, Budapest) is a visual creative, living in the UK since the age of 19. Educated at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, University of Greenwich and Linköping University (SW). Fischbein’s practice explores the many forms of identity and narrative construction with research investigating the lyrical self in image making, incorporating national identity and its manifestation within the medium. After embarking on this journey 3 years ago – which started by exploring her own national identification – she has expanded her project with the desire to discover stories and faces by creating an authentic dialogue with communities around the theme. 

Venue: Exeter Phoenix

monikafischbein.com
camperobscura.co.uk
fotonow.org