Simon Živný is a photographer from Portland, Oregon, currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Initially having studied other artistic mediums in his college career (music composition, drawing, and printmaking), Živný had only dabbled in photography before carrying a camera and no phone on his 2,650 mile walk from Mexico to Canada. The resulting photo journal from that trip (The Pacific Crest Trail in Pix; 2017: The Year of Fire and Ice) began what would become an obsession; now, he always has a camera with him.
In photography, Živný is self-taught, though he cites Sam Milianta and other Utah photographers and artists as being mentors in both photography and photographic printing.
His work is primarily in street photography, which is a category of photography involved in unmediated encounters and everyday life. Živný’s photography has been featured in publications, showings, and projects by organizations such as The Washington Post, Voyage Utah Magazine, Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Acme Camera Company, and WorthlessStudios NYC.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a photographer who deals mostly with black and white 35mm film photography, although I also use color film (both c41 process negatives and slide film as well), and occasionally shoot digitally.
My work is focused on unprepared subjects, whether that be candids of people, situations, settings, or things that interest me as I walk by them with my camera.
I approach this practice of pursuing photography almost like a game, watching for anything to react to with my camera.
The draw for me is getting to look at the world, and interact with it by taking pictures. Quite simply, I take pictures because the process brings me joy, and makes me think.
I am inspired by anything that feels exciting to photograph, and this notion, that I don’t know what will excite me next, is very thrilling. It’s magical to be able to walk through a normal place on a normal day and have a normal thing inspire you.
My intended audience is anyone who wants to join me in this way of looking at things, and anyone who wants to be able to trust a photographer. The things I have photographed really happened, they are candid and not staged, and my goal with my art is to share the delight in viewing and thinking about little things around us in our everyday lives. The world we see in the pictures around us is becoming more staged than ever before through social media and selfies. I want my photography to be a respite from that.
LINKS
https://zivnyphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/simonzivny/
IMAGES
Simon Zivny, “Workers,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Man in the Cemetery,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Memorial to Holocaust Victims” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Phone Call,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Guards,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Crosses,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Hanging,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Windows,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Trolley,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
Simon Zivny, “Hair,” 2023, 35mm film, 8.5 x 11 in.
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Categories: Photography | Utah Artists - Z
