Rewind: Volkstypen

The work consists of two parts and critically reflects on the historical practice of folk type photography. This form of photography was a method of ethnographic documentation in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, depicting various ethnic groups in traditional costumes and everyday situations, often with the aim of cataloging cultural differences and emphasizing stereotypical characteristics.

Tanja Boukal took part in a residency, organised by AFAR, in the Region of Marmaros, which today is Maramuresch and in the north of Romania.

In the first part of the project, a photograph by Jozef Eder from 1900 entitled “Ruthenian Forest Workers near Marmaros, Bukovina” ((Volkskundemuseum Vienna, Inv. pos/9325) was reproduced by hand in cross-stitch.

The second part of the project is based on a photograph staged by Tanja Boukal. For this, artists from the residency were equipped with typical forestry tools and photographed in a pose that reflects modern ideas of forest workers. This photo was then embroidered by an embroidery machine.

A section of a traditional lace border from the region's male costume is integrated into each piece as a connecting element.

The combination of traditional handicraft and modern technology not only sheds light on the historical dimension of the representation of ethnic groups, but also addresses the changes and continuities in the perception and representation of working realities. “Rewind: Volkstypen” thus represents a critical examination of the history and methods of ethnographic documentation and encourages reflection on contemporary representations.