Nibera blurs realism and abstraction
Nibera (Bernarda Conič) is an academic visual artist based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Her professional title is; Master of Arts in Visual Communication Design. She works in the fields of visual arts, specifically with analog and digital photography, collaging, graphic design, animation, VJ-ing and new media installations. Nibera lives in Ljubljana – the capital city of Slovenia. At primary school she was told by the teachers that she is very good at art class. They encouraged her to enter the school for design and photography in Ljubljana and four years later she graduated from photography. Later on, Nibera studied textile and fashion design and got specialized in pattern design and textile printing. After bachelor’s degree, she studied graphic design at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana and got her Masters degree in Visual Communication Design.
In this series Bernarda Nibera Conič uses a chemical process called RA4 to make photographic prints from analog film in the darkroom, experimenting with colored lights and chemicals. The artist says the process is much like painting with photographic paper coated with a light-sensitive chemical formula serving as her canvas. With this project, Nibera attempts to erase the boundaries between realism (photography) and abstraction (painting).
See more of Nibera's work on instagram at @nibera_35mm
A/A: What role do you think abstraction plays in photography and vice versa?
NB: Abstract photography is actually a branch in the photography world. Abstract photography does not necessarily associate with the object world but it's still a photograph because the visual image has been created through the use of photographic equipment, processes or materials. In my RA4 project I am visually mixing photographic realism and abstract elements. Abstraction in photography draws away from that which is realistic and recognisable. If you mix abstraction with traditional photography, that abstraction adds to the realistic elements something more, something extraordinary and surreal.
A/A: How did you discover this process?
NB: The RA4 chemical process is usually used to make analog color photographic prints. I discovered this process when I wanted to make color photographic prints in my academy's darkroom. My photography professor informed me about this process. After that I just started making prints from my negatives and the more time I spent in the darkroom the more experimental this process became. I was experimenting more and more and my prints became more and more abstract.
A/A: When did you first get interested in photography?
NB: My father loves all about cameras and photography. He bought me my first compact analog camera when I was only 8 years old. He took me to the zoo that day and I took my first photos on film. I still remember the day when my father came home with developed photos from the zoo. The smile on my face was priceless. At the age of 14, I signed up for high school for design and photography, that was the first time that I discovered the darkroom. This was the time when I really got interested in photography knowledge and technology.
A/A: What is next for you?
NB: In these weird and confused times when my options are really narrowed down and I cannot go on photography expeditions like I used to. I am trying to focus on working on my ''Parallel Worlds'' project and not lose hope for the future photography projects but I am also not planning anything big at the moment. I am going with the flow and hope for the best.