PICTORIAL NARRATIVES OF UKRAINIAN PHOTOBOOKS DURING THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 (2020-2021)

Abstract

Problem Statement and Relevance of the Study. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the formation of narratives in both individual and collective book photographic publications released in Ukraine and abroad during 2020-2021. Ukrainian photographers, considering the context of the pandemic in 2020-2021, faced restrictions on their activities and had to reformat and adapt their work to the new conditions. This led to an unexpected result: an increase in the number of photographic book publications, not only in Ukraine but also abroad. More than three dozen photobooks were published, half of which were self-published, while the other half resulted from collaborations with publishing houses. This volume of material made it possible to identify and analyze individual authors' approaches and characterize the methods of their creation through the narrative component.
Research Methodology. The study aims to characterize Ukrainian book photographic publications created during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) through the prism of two classical methods of conveying information using the narrative method: explicit and implicit. The research involves analyzing scientific articles on narrativity in linguistics and examining photobooks by various Ukrainian authors. The methodology includes a review of books published by both Ukrainian and foreign publishing houses and self-published works. The focus is on the narrative, visual, technical, and conceptual components of these photographic book publications.
Results. During the pandemic, Ukrainian photographers actively used explicit and implicit methods of conveying information using the narrative method in their photographic book publications. The explicit method involves clear and direct presentation of information, often used in documentary and reportage genres. The implicit method focuses on hypersexuality and assumptions based on layers of interpretations and associations, requiring active participation and reflection from the viewer. The study highlights the chronology of the development of Ukrainian photography through book publications during the pandemic restrictions and draws interdisciplinary parallels with linguistics and philology in the context of material presentation to the viewer.
Novelty. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of Ukrainian photographic book publications during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the narrative components and their explicit and implicit methods of conveying information. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the impact of the pandemic on the artistic expression of Ukrainian photographers and their adaptation to new working conditions. The study also explores the interdisciplinary connections between visual art, linguistics, and philology, providing a unique perspective on the narrative techniques used in photobooks.
The Practical Significance. The practical significance of this study is reflected in its potential applications for photographers, artists, and researchers interested in narrative techniques in visual art. By analyzing the explicit and implicit methods used in Ukrainian photographic book publications during the pandemic, this research offers valuable insights into effective narrative strategies in constrained conditions. It also provides a framework for understanding the development of photographic projects and their representation in book form, which can inform future artistic and academic endeavors in the field of visual narratives.