This essay explores the provenance, contextualization, and thematic progress of the self-published photobook titled “Kumpanya,” a collection discovered by the independent artbooks initiative, KartonKitap, in 2014. Acquired from an erstwhile Turkish online auction platform, GittiGidiyor, the ensemble comprises 27 photographs and 2 movie artist cards, purportedly originating from 1929. Employing a “street box camera,” the photographs exhibit a compelling dynamism redolent of the pervasive influence of 1920s American Westerns. The thematic underpinnings of “Kumpanya” reveal a discernible influence from silent Western cinema, particularly pre-1929 releases. Beyond mere visuality, the collection encapsulates a palpable theatrical ambiance, arguably stemming from the silent era’s reliance on visual storytelling. “Kumpanya” stands as a testament to collective effort, serving as a visual narrative that seeks to cinematically encapsulate the lives of the children within the rediscovered photographic corpus.

Authors:
N. Toros Mutlu, Izmir University of Economics, Turkey

About the Presenter(s)
Dr N. Toros Mutlu is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Izmir University of Economics in Turkey

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