The work entitled Spatial Predictability (presented at DUM Association, Ljubljana in December 2024) poses some fundamental questions about the perception of the mediated image and about the complex relationship between space and (its) image, and its capacity to generate meaning. In doing so, Babnik continues his profound exploration of the ontology of photography, in particular from the perspective of photographic composition, which in everyday situations often aims to attract, please and persuade. With a minimal spatial intervention, he explores the transformative tools and unwritten criteria that can frame and define a potential photograph. Therefore, the exhibitions in this ongoing series do not showcase photographs but fragments of a space that could easily become an ideal photographic composition.

Instead of photographing a space and transforming it into a two-dimensional image, he physically frames it in such a way that he simply highlights the composition that would work best in the photograph. In doing so, he explores and emphasises the social and cultural conditionality of the gaze and visual codes. In his professional practice Babnik often documents exhibitions and exhibition spaces that require predetermined views and compositions in order to appear convincing and effective. Consequently, he also questions the mechanisms that establish conventions and label certain images as good, effective and attractive. In doing so, he aims to establish a discourse on the ontology of photography and visual culture, and to reflect on the knowledge, experience, innate aesthetics, symbols and memories that determine the way images are perceived. On the other hand, he is well aware that, no matter how hard he may try, he cannot exempt himself from the learned cultural code that profoundly informs his artistic practice and professional work.

The work Spatial Predictability is the result of a long-term process that refers to the characteristics of a particular exhibition space that the artist occupies and inhabits.

Miha Colner