Till

A performative act of remembering

How can grief take shape? How can something so internal and hard to grasp find expression through rituals, objects, and gestures?

Text: Photos: Vanessa Szopory & Dalmonia Rognean

When absence becomes tangible, it often speaks through acts of care: Material traces and repeated actions become ways of nurturing and protecting what remains after loss.

These small gestures open a delayed conversation — a performative act of remembering.

Thomas Macho describes the encounter between the living and the dead as: "A balancing act on the fence between wilderness and civilization, which may only be dared at certain times but cannot be arbitrarily suspended either.“

A project on the theme of M(OTHER)ING, realized in collaboration with the Applied Photography and Time-Based Media class led by Prof. Maria Ziegelböck at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Created as part of Yasmina Haddad's MATCH! #4 course.

The interrelationship between photography, fashion, and casting is examined, with a focus on the relationship between photographer and subject—and vice versa. The mother figure is not meant biologically, but is considered through acts of care:

m(other)ing is a verb.

mothers mother

fathers mother

friends mother

(you can be the mother of a house)

Are you maternal? Or are you mom? Like, queen?*

Dalmonia Rognean (1993) and Vanessa Szopory (2000) are Vienna-based photographers whose artistic practices are deeply rooted in research. Both engage with conceptual issues — ranging from metaphysical and emotional spaces to ecological questions and the construction of perception. Their works explore transitions and tensions between the visible and the invisible, reality and imagination, memory and projection. Together, they create narrative worlds in which multiple stories and collective myths are examined.

Mother's Daughter

Text: Photos: Anna Skuratovski

The ongoing project captures individuals from our community – along with ourselves – wearing clothing passed down from our maternal figures.

Photography Young Talent Art Social

ImmerHin

Text: Photos: Beatrice Signorello

Ten years ago, I lost my mother suddenly in a traumatic event. Our relationship had always been complicated, and her unexpected death left me grappling with unresolved emotions. Since then, I have been haunted by nightly dreams of her, fueling a deep desire to bring her presence back into my life in some form.

Photography Young Talent Art Social

whOle sOme

Text: Photos: Gwendolin Meta

The collaboration explores the multifaceted idea of mothering—not as a biological role, but as lived care.

Art Photography Young Talent Social