DOT Sofia presents:

SOFIA STATION ‘70

archival photographs by Panayot Barnev

in collaboration with the Bulgarian Visual Archive

September 3 – October 5, 2024

Opening: September 3, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

September 14, Saturday, 5:30 PM - curator's tour with Tihomir Stoyanov – curator of the exhibition and co-founder of the Bulgarian Visual Archive

October 5, Saturday, 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM - Finissage of the exhibition and conversation with Super 8 Film Club

DOT Sofia is pleased to present an exhibition related to the exploration and documentation of the area where it is located - namely Old Sofia, Vuzrazhdane district and in particular the Women's Market.

The exhibition includes archival photographs from the last century of the Women's Market - the oldest market in the capital, photographed by Panayot Barnev and provided by the Bulgarian Visual Archive. The selection, curated by Tihomir Stoyanov and co-curated by Veselina Sarieva, offers a unique insight into the architectural, social and psychological aspects of life in this area in the 1970s.

The photographs take us on a walk through Sofia in 1975, when Panayot Barnev's camera captured moments from the Central Railway Station, then under construction. From there, it moves past Lion's Bridge and Georgi Kirkov Market to Pirotska Street. Barnev managed to capture these moments in an unpretentious, reportage style. As a photographer, he left behind more than 7,000 films, many of which document life in Sofia. 

The moments captured in the exhibition show different aspects of the lives of the ordinary people who make up the heart of Sofia, depicting the social dynamics of the time. Groceries and shopping at the women's market are captured with authenticity and attention to detail. The photographs also reveal neighbourhood life, full of human stories and interactions.                 
                  

The exhibition also features digitised amateur film footage from the 1970s, provided by the Super 8 Film Club, which complements the photographs and brings memories of the past to life.

The exhibition is the second public presentation of part of Panayot Barnev's archive, donated to the "BVA" Foundation by his daughter Milena Ivanova. The archive has been fully digitised by the "BVA" team, allowing us to preserve and share these precious moments of our history.

 
Panayot Barnev was born in Svishtov, but spent his childhood in the centre of Sofia. He completed his secondary education at the First Male Gymnasium and then enrolled at the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" to study mathematics. During his studies he fell in love with photography, which determined the direction of his career. His work covers the period from 1950 to 1990. The majority of his photographs depict the lifestyle and architecture of Sofia, including the development of the area around the Central Railway Station, the Women's Market, the collapse of the former Metropolitan Library, the renovation of Slaveykov Square and more. 

DOT Sofia Art Collection is a private collection dedicated to contemporary Bulgarian art, featuring iconic works by established and emerging artists. With over 200 pieces, the collection is inspired by the humour and melancholic depth of the Bulgarian soul, as well as everyday themes in Bulgaria and around the world. The works explore the possibility of empathy and the joy of coexistence in a world of social, ethnic, political and ethical amplitudes and contrasts. DOT Sofia's annual projects include a photographic and archival project documenting the women's market, as well as cultural events with Sarieva/Gallery, open to art lovers and those who want to learn something new.

 
The Bulgarian Visual Archive (BVA) was founded in 2019 by Tihomir Stoyanov and Johanna Trayanova, with the primary mission of preserving and sharing Bulgaria's visual heritage from the 20th century through photographic and film material.

The BVA aims to provide visual content for historians, researchers, artists and future generations. The Foundation seeks to unite private archives, state structures and other organisations with the idea of creating a community. In 2023, the Bulgarian Visual Archive received a donation from the daughter of Panayot Burnev, including his rich archive. 

Cineclub Super 8 is an organisation that aims to create the first archive in Bulgaria dedicated to amateur films shot on 8mm, Super 8, 9.5mm and 16mm formats up to 1989. Many of these films were made by amateur cinematographers and represent an unexplored and previously unseen cultural heritage - home movies from the mid-40s to the late 80s. These works are a cinematic document of the time, the daily life and the life of Bulgarians in the mid-20th century. More importantly, these films are not only a testimony of life from our recent history, but also have a high cultural and aesthetic value.

DOT Sofia, in collaboration with the Bulgarian Visual Archive and Cineclub Super 8, offers an opportunity to see Sofia as it once was, while reflecting on the change and permanence of urban life.

DOT Sofia is located in close proximity to the Women's Market - the heart of Old Sofia, the historic center of the city, which for centuries was home to trade and markets. The building welcomes with a unique facade created entirely from corten-steel, which makes it an indispensable part of the atmosphere of the multi-genre district. The space is an intersection of a boutique aparthotel of 10 designer apartments, a penthouse with 360-degree views and a private roof terrace, Sofia's best new restaurant for 2023 - KOMAT, and a prestigious collection of contemporary Bulgarian art. DOT Sofia becomes part of the environment with the intention of developing both its identity and its capabilities.

DOT Sofia, ul. Bratya Miladinovi 46, Women's Market, Sofia, Bulgaria

Working hours: every day from 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM