Then and Now 2 exhibition catalogue

“Then and Now 2020” Exhibition Catalogue | Gdańsk Photography Gallery | National Museum in Gdańsk

The exhibition catalogue “Then and Now 2020” is a unique publication documenting the second edition of the international photography competition dedicated to historic and alternative photographic processes. The catalogue was published in connection with the exhibition held at the Gdańsk Photography Gallery, a division of the National Museum in Gdańsk, one of the most important institutions in Poland presenting artistic, experimental, and historic photography.

This is more than just an exhibition catalogue – it is a record of the encounter between contemporary artists and historical photographic techniques, where analogue photography, wet collodion, cyanotype, gum printing, and other noble processes become a language for contemporary reflection on image, time, and materiality.

“Then and Now” Competition – Historic Photography in a Contemporary Context

The second edition of the “Then and Now” competition was an international survey of artists working with manual and historic photographic processes, including:

• wet collodion
• cyanotype
• gum printing
• albumen printing
• pinhole photography
• experimental and alternative processes

The exhibition showcased works by artists from different countries, highlighting contemporary approaches to historic photographic methods and their place within today’s visual art practice.

Exhibition Venue – Gdańsk, National Museum

The exhibition took place at the Gdańsk Photography Gallery – a branch of the National Museum in Gdańsk, a space dedicated to artistic, historic, and experimental photography. The catalogue serves as a lasting record of this event and its international scope.

Competition Jury

The works were selected by a jury of renowned photographers and art critics:

• Radosław Brzozowski
• Adam Mazur
• Małgorzata Zwolicka
• Witold Jurkiewicz 

Their selection emphasized both the artistic and technical aspects of alternative photography.

A Catalogue of Contemporary and Historic Photography

“Then and Now 2020” is a publication that:

• documents an international exhibition of alternative photography
• presents works by artists from Poland and abroad
• highlights the revival of historic photographic processes in contemporary art
• serves as a reference for manual and analogue photographic practices
• bridges classical image-making techniques with modern artistic expression

It is also a testament to the ongoing return to photographic craftsmanship – where chemistry, light, and time remain essential co-creators of the image.

Why this catalogue?

The “Then and Now 2020” catalogue is not only an exhibition record, but also:

• a valuable document of contemporary alternative photography
• a reflection of the international noble photography community
• an inspiration for analogue and experimental artists
• an important contribution to the archive of historic photographic practices in Poland