Experiencing the Palace
Through My Lens: Capturing the Magic of The Palace Residency 2024
As a photographer, I’m always searching for spaces where creativity flows freely, where light, texture, and human connection converge to tell a story. The Palace Residency 2024 was exactly that, A two-week immersion into artistic collaboration set against the breathtaking backdrop of the 16th-century Pałac Gorzanów in Poland. This historic palace, with its peeling frescoes and sun-dappled courtyards, became both a canvas and a subject, offering endless opportunities to document the interplay of art, history, and raw human expression.
A Photographer’s First Impression
Stepping onto the palace grounds, I was immediately struck by the contrast between its timeworn elegance and the electric energy of the artists arriving from all over the world. The way the golden light filtered through windows, casting long shadows over crumbling staircases, felt like an invitation,an open frame begging to be captured. My camera became my way of exploring the space, documenting not just its grandeur but the life that pulsed through it as creatives transformed it into something new.
The Art of Collaboration, Through the Lens
One of the most incredible aspects of The Palace Residency was the organic, ever-evolving nature of collaboration. Every day, I found myself photographing sculptors working side by side with musicians, dancers responding to the whispers of poets, and painters using the very walls of the palace as their medium. My goal was to capture these moments of synergy—the split second when an artist’s expression shifted from thought to creation, when the weight of inspiration became visible in their posture, their gaze, their hands stained with paint or clay.
The self-organized nature of the residency meant that no two days were the same. One morning, I was shooting a series on the textures of the palace—decay meeting renewal. By the afternoon, I was immersed in an impromptu performance, dodging between moving bodies, finding the angles that best conveyed the emotion of the moment. Photography, in this space, wasn’t just about observation; it was about participation, about being present in the creative process as much as those on the other side of the lens.
The Showcase Weekend: A Living Gallery
As the residency neared its conclusion, the palace transformed for the Showcase Weekend. The once quiet halls became an immersive exhibition, filled with installations, performances, and an audience eager to witness the magic we had built. Walking through the space with my camera, I felt a shift. The palace was no longer just a setting; it had become an extension of the work itself, a living gallery where history met contemporary expression.
Documenting this final chapter was exhilarating. The way the weekend viewers engaged with the shows, the way artists saw their work come to life in new ways. It was all part of the story. Every frame I captured was a testament to the residency’s core purpose: to create, to connect, and to share.
Reflections from Behind the Camera
Looking back at the images I captured, I realize that The Palace Residency wasn’t just an opportunity to document art—it was an experience that deepened my understanding of photography as a tool for storytelling. It reminded me that the most powerful images are those that capture more than just a moment; they capture energy, emotion, the unseen forces that bring people together.
For any photographer seeking an environment that challenges and inspires, The Palace Residency is a dream. It’s a space where the past and present merge, where art is not confined to galleries but spills into the very walls, courtyards, and shared meals. It was a privilege to witness and to document and I know that the images I’ve taken will continue to tell this story long after the residency has ended.
