Alin Barbir was born in 1981 in Oradea, Romania. Fond of photography, he spends most of his time building up skills and developing abilities in this love field. His work has been rewarded with several prizes.
Below, he spoke to us about his inspirations and career:
My name is Alin Barbir, a photographer from Cluj-Napoca, Romania, who is learning something new every day. I like to experiment a lot; therefore, all my projects are a little bit different from each other. The memory, my family, inner self, love, life, passing of time, human psyche, are the main subjects that I am interested in.
For me, photography acts primarily as a support for memory. Images are symbols of past experiences. I personally regard them as symbols of the ideas in my mind and of the emotions in my heart. They help me remember and teach me new ways of thinking and feeling. That’s why I think of myself as not so much a photographer but a memory maker. Right now, I’m focused on making photo books with my projects. To take care of my memories. To bring those things back. In this increasingly digital world, I have this strong need for a tangible way to experience sensations, feelings, human touch. As regards to images, nothing can meet in the same way paper does. For me they are an experience and pieces of art.
I published four books so far and I directed four short-movies and one music video.
I have finished an experimental short-film, which is meant to be a preface for my work in progress photo album ‘Pulse’. It’s a manifesto against photography, for the love of photography. It’s about the effects of relying on technology rather than people. It shows how digital technology has changed photography and altered the human psyche.
From an artistic point of view was a good year. I published two books and I directed one short, experimental movie. Also, I spent more time with my family which is priceless. In these uncertain times, it’s very important to keep a functional relationship with all of us. With communication, commitment, compromise, respect and quality energy, love will find a way. Just have a little faith.
My plans are to not get lost along the way. To eliminate things from life that are bringing more tension than peace. To take a break daily from the madness and to find my true self, inside, near my family. Bad memories will always come back. Instead of dwelling on them, I try to accept them, and focus on this very moment. Sometimes is very hard, I know.
Personally, when I do achieve a project, I must find a new one as soon as possible in order to stay emotionally fit. The process of all my personal work always starts with an emotion. I constantly try to pursue something that bring out the best in me.
I am currently working on a project, ‘Yūgen’, inspired by the Japanese aesthetics.
