Friday we have move to capital of Slovakia, Bratislava. I
was there last time about six years ago. I never really stay longer
than I need for transport across or few hours walking in the old
center. Quite a few of my friends moved to capital in the last six
years and we had plans to visit two of them.
I also was expecting that I will meet photographer Andrej Ban. We had
agreed that I will give him a call once I am in Bratislava. That it
how it happens and we planed to meet 14:30 in pub connected to STOKA
theater. As I wasn't sure how long it will take me to get there I end
up 20 minutes earlier drinking cold KOFOLA inside of the pub, while
outside heat was rising up to 36C. This and next day were two the most
hottest days of this summer. Andrej arrived almost 15 minutes later
than we agreed and immediately told me that in next 15 minutes two
other photographers will come and he need to make kind of interview
with them. After that we talked about my situation in photography and
he look through the photographs. After little while two others and
after next half hour next person joined us. Andrej was conducting his
interview and I was listening (with interest I must say). All our
meeting end after about two hours when Andrej and myself left rest of
the group in pub and head to bookstore where I later bought book which
maps documentary photography in Slovakia from 1989 until 2001.
How to best described my feeling from meeting with Andrej Ban. Well it
is difficult as my expectation of at least one hour of talk with him
was something what didn't happen. Unfortunately I had feeling that he
was very nice but has no interest to talk to me. It is probably very
difficult to understand my position for a professional who has busy
photography life. It is difficult to see how important such a 60 min
could be for somebody who is quite isolated from other photographers
contacts and environment he grow in. I must say that I understand
this. Maybe now, even after this short contact future will change a
little and Andrej will look at my future work differently. Hopefully I
can get in touch with other two persons who were interviewed by
Andrej Ban.
The same day, actually just after I said bye to Andrej we met Roman
Harvan and later our old friends. That evening we spent on boat
restaurant (which is fixed at the Danube river). I had a great time
of long discussion, mostly with Roman about his music, drawing and
my photography. He is extraordinary person and his view on different
things is interesting to listen and interesting to argue with. What
was different comparing to my discussion with Andrej was that Roman
had interest to listen and gave opinion, while Andrej was in hurry and
has different things in his mind. Not that he would gave me his
opinion but we had a too little time and there were other things in
his agenda which had higher priority.
