When writing history, write honestly. For the purpose of history is neither vision nor desire but an ‘occurred history’. And every book, as every photograph, in its own way, becomes history. Yet not everyone is true. This one is. It is ‘occurred’.
The purpose of every deficiency, in the sense of additional beauty, I have discarded as shortcomings and have presented them in the interest of the honesty of the motifs. The purpose of this book has sprung from meditations on such themes. To present a motif honestly. Without manipulation. Without digital montage. Without digital art. But with photography. With an honest photography. With reference to the tome of occurrence.
As it is not possible to represent on paper what the eyes have seen, a compromise in media is also added in the art of photography between reality, possibility and “good on the eyes”. Choice belongs to the author as he/she adapts him/herself to the profession. With an aim to accommodate myself to the profession I have used the tools: correction of perspective, sharpening of focus, the removal of added variations of colour and light caused by the great sensitivity of the camera’s sensor, the allocation of the “colour white” according to personal preference, enhancement in the representation of shadows and light tones, as well as changes in the colour spectrum.
Sirocco, rainy and damp. Unpromising, lost.
The modern art of photography primarily wrenches the recorded moment by manipulating it digitally. Thus, it is common to see the photograph of a moment which has never occurred.
Photographs of the sunset over Rovinj are common. Yet a series of photographs of a sunset, taken from the air, unmanipulated, is everything other than common.
Yes, it was a day that did not promise much. Yet at its end it gave - all.
The eternal inspiration the landscape of Rovinj provides has led to the idea of the valorisation of this archipelago, which, up to this day, has not yet received the wider acknowledgment it deserves. The photo-monography „A View from the Clouds“ is the result of many years of work, itself a reflection of patience, persistence, commitment and the author’s extraordinary efforts. And yet, despite everything, many emotions and much love are conveyed by these photographs, and this is the first time in history that such a medium and subject has been used in this way.
As wife, collaborator and fellow-traveller on the long road to creation, I am witness to a rarely observed love towards a city: a city on which the artist was not born, does not live permanently, established no family there. Despite this, this is an artist who grows with Rovinj, evolves there, receives an education, admonishes, questions, raises awareness, encourages, fortifies, yet above all loves this town and desires to refine its sensibility.
During the course of many years, I have witnessed great labour, persistence, commitment and a battle against all odds, to an extent I have never known: a battle against time, administration, finances and the inevitable human factor. Yet every time I always found the same thing: Rovinj and a mutual love that grew stronger by the day. Rovinj, with all its beauties, affirmed Filip as an artist and creator. Together, on their destined path, they both tell us a story about an eternal love, imagination and inspiration: and inspiration that does not fade, yet forever sprouts anew.
The extent to which Rovinj inspired Filip surpasses our understanding, it is a beacon to us and offers us hope should we undertake some creative endeavour. Today I’m fortunate and proud as I have witnessed this profound love story.
From the beginning of photography as art to our world of today, Rovinj has always been a centre for masters of this art. The indubitable beauty of this town has been a source of endless inspiration for many.
Today, thanks to the first photo-monography which shows us Rovinj from the air, and its author Filip Peternel, its wonders are available to us from a different and extraordinary perspective. From the narrow, little streets of its urban core, and its cultural and historical monuments, to the untouched nature of Rovinj’s beautiful archipelago, every image reveals a myriad of details which constantly arouse a sense of enchantment in the viewer.
In their entirety, the photos selected here reflect a unique portrait of this Adriatic pearl in an all-encompassing palette of the effects of light and atmosphere. The primary motif here is to display the variety which Rovinj conceals in all the aspects of its natural, cultural and historical heritage. The rooftops of its densely proximate tall houses beneath the Church of St. Euphemia, separated by narrow, little streets which lead to the baroque church on the top of a hill with its imposing belltower, on the top of which stands a bronze statue of St. Euphemia, all contribute to the creation of beautiful scenes in which colours and shadows are at play. The sky and the sea perfectly merge into the background of this kaleidoscopic archipelago.
I believe that this photo-monography will serve many to rediscover Rovinj from a different point of vantage, as well as to promote its beauties. Here I offer my thanks and congratulations to its author.
Filip Peternel was born in Sisak on 03.07.1975, where his family had temporarily moved. Soon after, the family returned to Slavonski Brod (1977) where Filip spent his childhood and youth. A deep desire, and private and business requirements, led him to Istria in 2003. This was quickly followed by his collaboration with Rovinj, to which he dedicated 17 years of his professional life. A lover of Rovinj, he has valorised in art its cultural and natural monuments in a series of projects. He is married (his wife is Ivona), and a father of two children (Lucija and Tomas).
The value of this project is measured by mutual support, a necessary professionalism, an understanding of development, a very strong wish and dedication. And the project is greater as the team is smaller. Thus my pride in what has been accomplished here is all the more.
I was alone. For too long. And it took us a long time to meet. For too long. And took a short time to love you. Forever.
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