On September 11, 2019, Vytautas Magnus University Multifunctional Center for Studies and Research (V. Putvinskio St. 23, Kaunas) hosted the opening of the exhibtion “PolandTech” by the Polish photographer Maciek Jazwiecki, followed by an open lecture “Communicating Tech Communities”. These events were a part of the festival’s thematic program “Digital-Virtual-Real”, which explores the impact of digital technologies on lifestyle.

Maciek Jazwiecki’s project “PolandTech” is a photographic story about Poland, the country of Europe, in which the technological boom is visible more than anywhere else. According to the author, Poland is becoming a major European tech startup hub. Photographer tries to show places, social groups and people who develop modern technology, create it, popularize it or use it as a work tool. Through a multithreaded perspective M. Jazwiecki documents the most active group of Poles who are not afraid to use modern solutions and ideas. The story consists of many threads, from lesson of programming for children, through 3d printing and holograms technology to virtual reality, gamers’ world and building prototypes.

After the opening of the exhibition, an open lecture “Communicating Tech Communities” took place in the presence of the photographer in an auditorium of the same Center. The author presented his work and shared his thoughts on the modern world and the interaction of society with technology. The lecture was moderated by the professor Kristina Juraitė, Head of the VMU department of Public Communication.

The 14th edition of KAUNAS PHOTO festival invites to the events during 26-29 of September. All events are free of charge!

September 26, Tuesday

6pm Artist talk by Gideon Mendel (South Africa/UK) and review of his video project; guided tour at the exhibition of KAUNAS PHOTO festival. The artists of the exhibition are: Matjaž Krivic (Slovenia) “Lithium, the driving force of 21st Century”, Christian Åslund (Sweden) “Glacier comparison – Svalbard”, Gideon Mendel (UK) “Drowning World”. Lithuanian educational museum (Vytauto av. 52).

September 27, Wednesday

6pm Artist talk by Romualdas Požerskis (Lithuania) and presentation of his work “Hot Summer”. Kaunas city council Vincas Kudirka public library, department of youth music and art (A. Mapų st. 18).

September 29, Friday

KAUNAS PHOTO festival final guided tours and photography projection night at Caffeine.

5pm Guided tour at “F gallery” (Aušros str. 6). Eugenijus Barzdžius (Lithuania) “VASK”.

5.30pm Guided tour at Multi-functional Study and Science center of Vytautas Magnus University (V. Putvinskio str. 23). Alex Boyd (UK) “The Land of Maybe”, Christine Osinski (USA) “New York City’s Archipelago”.

6pm Guided tour at Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio str. 56). Jussi Puikkonen (Finland) “Sauna Folk”.

8pm KAUNAS PHOTO Caffeine Fridays Night – photography projections (Laisvės av. 72). On display “Water environment“.

All the listed events are free of charge and open to everyone. We are looking forward to seeing you!

KAUNAS PHOTO festival team.