This post is also available in: French

The history of “Sarajeviens” who live in Paris since the “war” is the story of all the “exiles” : a new life, with new hopes and new misfortunes, and the struggles… the past abolished, nostalgia for the homeland, hope to return one day, the mother tongue relegated into one’s heart, which can only be used to count, to sing and to dream…
Milomir Kovačević photographed at a hundred of his compatriots from Sarajevo the object they could prevail, which they hold most.
Object rare or common, valuable or worthless, unserviceable or in good condition… the only thing remaining of the family, the only souvenir of love, the only trace of childhood…
His photos were taken on a neutral background, well framed : a suitcase (indented), a sugar tongs (silver), a scarf (folded), laces (flawless), a pair of shoes for children (overused), a doll (damaged), family photos, paintings and so on. . . As a catalogue of the absurd.
Under the picture of his object, everyone has written in a few lines what it means for him.
And suddenly, in our world of ready-to-throw, super and hypermarkets, mail order and Internet sales, promotions and sales, flea markets and garage sales, here are the objects invested with a sacred value.
Michel Christolhomme
Photo Manager of the association
Pour Que l’Esprit Vive