1. Sensory Reliance and Collaboration:
* Sound: Bavčar relies heavily on sound to understand his environment. He listens to the click of the shutter, the echoes in a space, and the sounds of objects and people. This information helps him build a mental image of the scene.
* Touch: Touch is another crucial sense. He uses his hands to feel the textures, shapes, and forms of objects and landscapes. He might run his hand along the bark of a tree, the contours of a statue, or the architectural details of a building.
* Smell: Scent contributes to his understanding of the environment, adding another layer of detail to his mental representation.
* Collaboration: Bavčar often works with assistants who act as his "eyes." He carefully describes the images he wants to capture, explaining the composition, lighting, and mood. The assistant then helps him position the camera, adjust the settings, and ensure the scene matches his vision. This collaboration is essential to his artistic process.
2. Mental Imagery and Memory:
* Pre-existing Visual Memory: He has some memories of visual experience from his childhood before he lost his sight. He draws upon these memories, though they are inevitably altered over time.
* Creating Mental Images: He reconstructs images in his mind, building them up from the sensory information he gathers and the descriptions provided by his assistants. He doesn't "see" a literal photograph in his mind, but rather a conceptual and emotional representation of the scene.
* Intuition: He trusts his intuition and artistic instincts. He relies on his feelings and emotions to guide his creative choices.
3. Subject Matter and Themes:
* Focus on Ideas: His work often focuses on philosophical and conceptual themes, rather than purely representational images. He explores ideas about blindness, vision, memory, and the relationship between perception and reality.
* Places of Memory: He often photographs places that hold personal significance for him or evoke strong emotions. These places might be related to his childhood, his experiences as a refugee, or his intellectual interests.
* Challenging Perceptions: He seeks to challenge the conventional understanding of photography and vision. His work questions the notion that photography is solely about capturing a visual likeness of the world.
4. Technical Aspects and Equipment:
* Assistants operate the camera: While Bavčar conceptualizes and directs the process, his assistants typically handle the technical aspects of using the camera. They adjust the focus, aperture, shutter speed, and other settings based on his instructions.
* Specific Equipment Adaptations: While he does not personally use the camera due to his lack of sight, the team utilizes equipment and techniques that are useful for his approach.
5. Beyond Photography:
* Writing and Theory: Bavčar is also a writer and theorist. He has written extensively about photography, blindness, and the philosophy of art. His writing provides insights into his artistic process and his perspective on the world.
* Advocacy: He is an advocate for the rights of disabled people and promotes the idea that disability should not be a barrier to artistic expression.
In summary, Evgen Bavčar's artistic process is a unique blend of sensory reliance, collaboration, mental imagery, and philosophical exploration. He proves that vision is not a prerequisite for creating meaningful and thought-provoking art. His work is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the boundless possibilities of artistic expression.