ENTRY DESCRIPTION
This collection of photographs is part of a broader series exploring nocturnal encounters - moments when, under the cover of night, while reading books, listening to music, or simply wandering in thought, we encounter various characters who are not part of our daily lives. This includes authors of books, fictional characters from literature, musicians, and other artists, as well as imaginary creatures from our minds. This collection represents just some of those encounters.
It all began with modest scenes, set in improvised boxes serving as stages, enriched with various natural materials such as sand, leaves, and branches, along with scene protagonists, creating a three-dimensional collage. I often randomly added characters and artworks, believing that our lives are shaped by both internal and external events.
These photographs should not be superficially viewed. In war-torn Sarajevo, where I grew up and still live today, aside from politically engaged works, I discovered that art can be a source of peace and escape from harsh reality. These collages also serve as a refuge from these themes, giving protagonists in the photographs a new life and avoiding touching on the themes of war and existence.

AUTHOR
Danilo Kreso (born 1976 in Sarajevo) began his education in 1991 at the Secondary School of Applied Arts, Department of Sculpture, and continued at the Academy of Fine Arts in 1995. In 1999, he studied in Utrecht, Netherlands, for one semester. His work explores social issues, human rights, ecology, and everyday events through metaphors, irony, and dark humor. Visits to the National Museum, where his mother worked as a biologist, greatly influenced his artistic expression.Kreso’s first solo exhibition, Works in Progress, was held in 2000 at Novi Hram gallery. In 2016, he presented True Stories, a series of drawings at Java gallery, followed by the photography series Night Meetings in 2017. His first group exhibition, Paradox, was part of the SCCA Meeting Point Sarajevo festival in 1997. He collaborated with the group AKTUELNO (2003–2008, reunited in 2019), organizing exhibitions and projects.In 2002, Kreso’s video LinetoLine was featured at the Sarajevo Film Festival and later in Salzburg. His works have been shown internationally, including in France (2005) and Vienna (2024 VIEPA). That same year, he was shortlisted for the National and Regional Award organized by the Sony World Photography Organization. ( Sony World Photography Awards 2024 - National Winners )Notable pieces include 5 Cats and a Leopard (photography) and Wrongly Suspected (installation). Since 2005, he has taught Plastic Shaping at the Secondary School of Applied Arts.Kreso’s recent work focuses on spatial installations and sculptures designed for photography. Series like The Diversity of One, Territory, and Monarchy address themes of power, territorial domination, and absurdity, reflecting autocratic politics. In 2024, he began postgraduate photography studies and was shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Awards. He continues to develop his Night Meetings photography series.

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