Artur Urbański Photography

Phobos ex Machina is a book about manipulation. We wanted those experiencing it to understand how the mechanism of using fear to divert attention and influence people works. It is very easy to suggest to us what we should think about what we see. Through deceptive juxtaposition of information and the appropriate way of presenting it, one can organize the way we should think about a given topic. 

The goal of the book Phobos ex Machina was to make the viewer personally experience being manipulated. In classical Greek mythology, Phobos is the god and personification of fear. The term Deus ex Machina originates from Greek tragedy, where a special machine brought actors playing gods onto the stage. The god would appear unexpectedly and change the course of events. Phobos ex Machina refers to created fear that changes our views and influences actions. 

​Exhibition at Photo Espana in Fernan Gomez - Photo Credit: Jorquera, Photo Espana

Our goal was to show an objective event - trees felled by the wind. Trees are our allies: they produce oxygen, provide relief, and offer a habitat for many creatures. We look at their tragic death. It seems that we should feel sorry for them and wonder what caused their tragedy. We wanted to use subtle suggestions or ways of presenting to suggest that they are dangerous to people. To make the viewer realize an unexpected change in views. 

Published by: Publishing Unit, The Polish National Film,Television and Theatre School in Lodz

Designed by: Bartłomiej Talaga, 19 Rivers,

Texts were written by: Anna Maria Zarychta, Leszek Jażdżewski and authors,

English translation by: Jolanta Axworthy.

AWARDS

Encontros da Imagem Braga, Photobook Awards EI 2024 - Shortlisted

Photo Espana 2024, Los Mejores Libros de Fotografía del Año - Honorable Mention 

Fotograficzna Publikacja Roku 2024: Honorable Mention

Edycja Competition, organized by Wydawca Monthly - Award for artistic interpretation of a social challenge.

Edycja Competition, organized by Wydawca Monthly -Award for original graphic design.

Polish Society of Book Publishers Competition The Most Beautiful Polish Books 2023 - Honorable Mention.

EXHIBITIONS

Encontros da Imagem Braga, Photobook Awards EI 2024 - Exhibited at Biblioteca Carlos Fontes, Braga

Exhibition at Photo Espana in Biblioteca Carlos Fontes, Braga - Photo Credit: Eimagem​

Photo Espana 2024, Los Mejores Libros de Fotografía del Año - Exhibited at Fernan Gomez, Madrid

Exhibition at Photo Espana in Fernan Gomez - Photo Credit: Jorquera, Photo Espana

Fotograficzna Publikacja Roku 2024: Exhibited at Fotofestiwal, Lodz