Digital Narratives, (solo show)

BACKGROUND The use of tableaux in contemporary photography is well documented, particularly in the works of Gregory Crewdson, Jeff Wall and Tom Hunter. While Bronek acknowledges their practices, his research aims to move beyond static photographic imagery. In drawing inspiration from some of the work of Dennis Del Favero, Bronek creates detailed tableaux photographs inviting viewers to interact with the immersive aspects of his digital construction (utilising Microsoft's Photosynth). CONTRIBUTION The artist's interest in augmented reality has grown from observing how people engaged with his print work, noting they would stand back from the highly detailed image, move closer, isolate aspects of interest, move back again - and sometimes even try to 'look into the frame'. This observed curiosity led Bronek to investigate technologies that would enable interactive exploration of a tableau image. Photosynth enables him to orchestrate a scene to be viewed and explored from many angles and perspectives. For example, Remember That? invites viewers to look through a selection of family slides, set in with 'real' family slides (the real family history). These constructions and false memories draw into question our reliance on photographs to document personal histories. Nostalgia Made takes the idea of the constructed still image to the moving image; all the footage taken for this work was a contrived construction. The video is framed in the mirror section of a bedroom dresser that not only frames but becomes part of the work. SIGNIFICANCE This innovative, solo exhibition explores the ambiguity of fact and fiction in our ability to recall a scene or event. Assisted by an Australia Council for the Arts New Work grant and Winner of the Critics' Choice, Arts Hub Innovation Award for an Individual, it was nominated by Jules Boag, exhibitions co-ordinator, Albury Regional Art Gallery. He curated Digital Narratives, describing the show as "intuitive, innovative and exciting".