TERAZ means NOW

"Tabačková tieňohra" Longital live at Tabačka, Košice 6 Nov 2010

Everyone has some kind of passion inside, something that one can do for others best, unlike no one else, from the very center of one‘s being, may it be the most banal thing in the world, such as assisting someone in a shop, or sweeping the street. By doing this one becomes part of the puzzle that makes this world complete and simultaneously finds oneself as indispensable being, standing firmly in its place. The album Teraz / Now is about taking this place here and now, and living joyfully with all the quests and obstacles, that are laid before us (Longital)

"Tabačková tieňohra" ako profilové foto na  http://www.facebook.com/Longital

Edinburgh SUISS 2010 report

When I have a noticed a small advertisement at our noticeboard at the Prešov University in the Spring of 2010, I would not realize at first that it would stir an eye-opening experience.

I have always been interested in English Literature and academic environment in the UK. I have also wondered how do the classes on literature compare to some uninspiring classes we had in Slovakia and Poland. Therefore I have looked up the SCSSS Fund website, where I have found out about the Scottish Universities International Summer School (SUISS or “The School” as it is nicknamed) based at Edinburgh University.

There was little time left on both applications but I have decided to ask for my letters of reference and give it a good chance. Getting reference was most time-consuming in the process, given that I have asked not only our Literature department head from Prešov Doctor Tomášik but also our Institute Professor Fabiny, a Shakespearean scholar residing in Budapest. I am grateful to both of them for their exceptional classes and support. I am also grateful to both the SCSSS Fund and SUISS for accepting my last moment application and guiding me through the process of administration.

Course Administrator Nan (left) with Directors Julia and Konstantina and their loyal student host Goran

I should also voice my gratitude to Ms Linhartova who forwarded me a contact on a Czech IT student with an accommodation offer I could not refuse. It was a modestly priced room in a flat located in perfect midpoint between the School and the Pollock Halls where the rest of students and cultural part of the programme resided. Another advantage was that I could get to Edinburgh few days earlier, meet the Administrators for guidance, register at the University Library and IT system and pick up few books I have ordered before my arrival on Aug 6.

Pollock Halls. Course students at an evening reading by fellow Creative Writing students

Equipped with books and several days dedicated to study and exploring the surrounding area (magnificient Arthur’s Seat) I have entered my first lecture. The schedule at the Contemporary Literature course was intensive. Lectures were closely followed by seminars. It was all I could wish for, with heated and fruitful discussions. Renowned lecturers, tutors and fellow students gave insights and truly international perspective on most subjects on our reading list. Even during the coffee breaks, afternoons and evenings everyone was eager for conversation. This was intensified by the atmosphere of the festivals and cultural events we took part in. With our student host Goran we have even managed to spend a sunny day at the seaside in North Berwick. I will also remember the deeply moving conversation we had on charity and support with Ms. Beloff from SCSSS Fund.



By the second week of the School I have decided to explore my interest in JG Ballard in presentation and essay in pursuit of credits. During the writing of the essay I used help of the extraordinary National Library of Scotland collection, my tutor Karin Sellberg and especially the inspiration of three of Shakespeare’s plays I saw at the Globe in London midway home during the week following the course. I am proud to say I have managed to successfully complete the course, and transfer the credits for the essay, books and experience safely to my home University.



Reflecting Violence by Ondrej Koscik, SUISS 2010

Voľby zo všetkých strán - All sides of elections (Sme photo contest)

UPDATE 2.AUG 2010
Hodnotenie Súťaže - Results and comments on my photo
My photo was mentioned among the "noteworthy":



more at: http://volby.sme.sk/c/5479453/cirkusanti-a-sektari-volebna-kampan-ocami-citatelov.html

2010-04-29 Kolowrat+Sonicates at Kasarne Kulturpark, KE

2010 place/date (work in progress)

back to 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

2010-01-12 Osadné - premietanie a diskusia s F.Vicom; Sungod Abscondo / Prešov , Scala; Wave
2010-01-21 OSKAR RÓZSA Partnership Unlimited / Prešov, Scala /

From 2010 Year in pictures

Carnilove Veneto-Emilia Romagna / Spúšť Tour 2010
2010-02-04 Zive Kvety(10) / Olomouc, Jazz Tibet Club
2010-02-09 Bologna, Belaria, Rimini
2010-02-10 Bologna (hunting Umberto E.)
2010-02-11 Ferrara -> Padua
2010-02-12 Verona - gnocchi friday
2010-02-13 Padua
2010-02-14 CS Carnival Meeting Venezia, Vicenza Dinner 2.0
2010-02-15 Day out in Palladioland, Vicenza
2010-02-16 Bologna -> Bratislava
2010-02-18 Živé Kvety(11) / Bratislava, Randal Club
2010-03-14 Fašizmus nepatrí na Slovensko!
2010-03-17 Stabat Mater at St. Nicolaus, Prešov
2010-03-21 Za stopami predkov, Okolie Prešova
2010-03-22 Poviedka 2009 @ Sabinov literarnyklub.sk/
2010-03-23 Poviedka 2009 @ UNIPO literarnyklub.sk/

From 2010 Year in pictures

2010-03-24 Štátny Komorný Orchester Žilina at Prešovská Hudobná Jar
2010-03-25 Zdeněk Třešťál at Scala, Prešov
2010-03-28 Jasenovske hrady, skaly, a kvety jari
2010-03-29 Partička at Scala, Prešov

From 2010 Year in pictures

2010-04-06 Deviiin
Jazz Rock Fest Prešov 2010
2010-04-13 Jazzabel(KE), Special Providence (HU), Oskar Rozsa Partnership (SK), David Kollar International Project/PKO Prešov
2010-04-13 Volna Streda (KE), Gagas (PO), Seven Sheep (CZ), Radim Hladik a Blue Effect (CZ)/PKO Prešov
2010-04-16 Siempre, Billy Barman, Para/Tabačka Kulturfabrik, Košice, SK
2010-04-22 Cigánski Diabli (Gypsy Devils)/Scala, Prešov, SK
2010-04-28 Viva El Amor: Sivan Rotem (soprán), Miriam Rodriguez Brüll; Eurovision Song Contest Show/PKO Čierny Orol; Kino Scala, Prešov
2010-04-29 Kolowrat(10)+Sonicates at Kasarne Kulturpark, KE
Akademický Prešov 2010
2010-05-01 Teatr BOB, Krakow (PL) Zabawy Toporem; Teatr KTO, Krakow (PL) M. Cervantes: Quixotage/ V - klub, NB DJZ, Prešov, SK
2010-05-04 Stanica Žilina - Záriečie J. Šimko: Posledná historická úloha mladej generácie; Celkom iný Beat Nezvyčajná revue - Bene, Marián Jaslovský, Peter Milčák et al. /HB DJZ, VS DAD, Prešov, SK

From 2010-05-01 ÁPéčko Day I (Polski)

2010-05-05 Opera Gala: Fabio Andreotti tenor (IT), Hae Young Hyun soprán(KR), Dagmar Dužďová klavír (SK) / PKO Čierny Orol, Prešov, SK
2010-05-07 Home Made Mutant / Christiania, Prešov, SK
2010-05-20 Mladá Hudba: Kristína Koščíková et al. / Amana, Košice, SK
2010-05-02 Československé Komorné Duo "Bohumil Stejskal 75": Pavel Burdych a Zuzana Beredošová / PKO Čierny Orol, Prešov, SK
Floods in Eastern Slovakia
2010-06-04 Prešov Flooded .. pictures
2010-06-05 Vranov Flooded .. pictures
2010-06-05 Vranov after floods .. pictures

From 2010-06-05 VVV - Vranovska Velka Voda

2010-06-08 Kristína Koščíková, absolventský koncert / Koncertná sála,Konzervatórium,Košice, SK
2010-06-16 Mladá hudba, veľké finále / Amana, Košice, SK

From 2010 Year in pictures

Germany / Poland Tour
2010-06-29 Berlin
2010-06-30 PEARL JAM(9) / Berlin, Wühlheide
2010-07-01 (Open'er) Ben Harper, PEARL JAM(10), Tinariwen / Gdynia
2010-07-02 (Open'er) Massive Attack, Pavement / Gdynia
2010-07-03 (Open'er) Skunk Anansie, Kasabian, Matisyahu, Gorillaz Soundsystem /Gdynia
2010-07-04 (Open'er) The Hives, Dead Weather, Fatboy Slim, Archive? / Gdynia
2010-07-05 Gdansk-Zakopane

From 2010 Year in pictures

Festival Pohoda 2010, Trenčín
2010-07-08 (Pohoda Festival)CHVM, The Stranglers, Košice State Philharmonic
2010-07-09 (Pohoda)Divadlo na Tahu (CZ), Vienna Vegetable Orchestra(AT), Peter Breiner's World Anthems(US/SK), Literárne Revy Dada Nagya, Bez Ladu a Skladu (SK), Interference (IE), Adam Green (US), Futureheads (UK), Collegium Musicum (SK), Ian Brown (UK), Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (US), Klaxons (UK), Kira , Vandali (SK), ДахаБраха (UA)
2010-07-10 (Pohoda) PPE (SK), Kira (DK), Stano Počaji + Caroline Hitland (SK), Teatro Tatro (SK),Bude tu Euro aj o 10 rokov? (debatujú: M. Šuster, J. Karpiš, moderuje: R. Baťo),.týždeň naživo: Koniec starých časov?(debatujú: A. Srholec, moderuje: Š. Hríb), Bezpečnosť na festivaloch,(debatujú: H. Nielsen, M. Kaščák, J. Vidan, moderuje: J. Kušnierik) (SK), Mňága a Žďorp(3)(CZ), SKO Bohdana Warchala: Vivaldi's 4 seasons (SK), Out to Lunch (US), Belleruche (UK), after Phurikane (SK), These New Puritans (UK), Vivian Girls (US), José Gonzalez (SWE), XX (UK)
2010-07-11 (Pohoda) Chasidské Piesne (SK), Japandroids (CD), New Young Pony Club (US), Amadinda (HU)

From 2010 Year in pictures

2010-07-12,13,16,17,18,20,21,22 Domaša
2010-08-01,03 Domaša

From 2010-08 Edinburgh from dawn till dusk

SUISS Edinburgh / Shakespeare's London
2010-08-05 BA-Edin
2010-08-08 Naturally Inspired / Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Garden
2010-08-08 (fringe) The Boom Jennies / Edinburgh, Pollock Halls
2010-08-14 North Berwick, Tantaloon Castle
2010-08-16 (eif) Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises/ Edinburgh, Royal Lyceum Theatre
2010-08-23 The Gospel At Colonus / Edinburgh, Playhouse
2010-08-24 Duende!, Twelth Day/Edinburgh, National Museum of Scotland, St Marys RC Cathedral
2010-08-28 The Merry Wives of Windsor / London, Shakespeare's Globe
2010-08-29 Henry IV 1&2 / London, Shakespeare's Globe

From 2010 Year in pictures

2010-09-09 Szidi Tobias / Prešov, VS DAD
2010-09-17 Marie Rottrová / Prešov, Scala
2010-09-18 Stretnutie občanov / Vranovské Dlhé
2010-09-22 Anka Poráčová / Prešov, Scala
2010-09-25 Denisina Svadba / Bazilika Minor, Vranov
2010-09-30 Dan Barta & Robert Balzar Trio / Prešov, PKO
2010-10-01 (Fest Konvergencie) Concertante (Vivaldi, Martinů, C.PH.E.Bach), Tango / Košice, Kasárne Kulturpark
2010-10-06 Akira Jimbo / Prešov, PKO
2010-10-12 Václav Neckař a Bacily / Prešov, Scala
2010-10-13 (phj) ŠFK Smetana / Prešov, PKO

From 2010 Year in pictures

2010-10-26 Jarek Nohavica / Prešov, Scala
2010-11-03 The Classical and Jazz Art Duo / Prešov, PKO
2010-11-04 lenka Filipová / Prešov, Scala
2006-11-06 Longital "Teraz" / Košice, Tabačka
2010-11-13 Živé Kvety(12) / Bratislava, Randal
2010-11-16 Živé Kvety(13) + Fedor Gál: Pre Natálku /Bratislava, Artforum
2010-11-19 (colourfest) Afro Magic / Šaľa

From 2010 Year in pictures

I'm back

well, lets ketchup then!
 

Živé Kvety's "Wasteland" Out today! (guided tour)

BUY FROM SLNKORECORDS

waste·land (wāst'lānd')  
n.
A place, era, or aspect of life considered as lacking in spiritual, aesthetic, or other humanizing qualities; a vacuum: a cultural wasteland.
From "wasteland." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.

Pesničky

• 01. Svetlo (ukážka)
  
  4:37
• BÁLIK: Niekedy pri skladaní pesničiek sa dá postupovať ako Mičurin. Spojíte dva rozdielne nápady dohromady. Keď sme nahrávali Zlaté časy, Tomáš nahral taký jam, kde Lucia spievala: „Až príde ráno nové májové...“ Mal som v zásobe jeden riff, s ktorým som nevedel pohnúť. Sedeli sme s Luciou u nej doma. Z riffu vznikol refrén a Filipáč, Luciin manžel si začal pospevovať: Ráno májové. A bolo to! Ha! Niekedy hovoríme Filipáčovi, že je Sony. Kto videl film Výstrely na Broadwayi, tak vie, o čom hovorím!
  PIUSSI: Máme (ne)výhodu, že žijeme s Filipom v jednej izbe, a tak všetko, čo s Bálikom vymýšľame a všetky slová, ktoré ma napadnú idú aj cez neho. Najprv to prežíval tak intenzívne, že sa mu tie slová aj snívali. Dúfam, že už sa upokojil. Niekedy si spievame novú pesničku, nové slová spolu a to je už čo povedať, ešte ich nepočul zvyšok kapely a my ideme unisono jak dvaja rapperi! Keď začal Filip ten popevok „až príde ráno nové májové“ spievať do akordov Svetla, Bálik už mal gitaru na pleci, zbalený, len tak zastal, zafrflal popod nos, vrátil sa, usadil, vybral gitaru a bolo. Sony to zrežíroval!
  
• 02. Spúšť (ukážka)
  
  4:12
• BÁLIK: To je vlastne jediná pesnička na albume, ktorá je úplne nová. Všetky ostatné vznikli z rôznych nápadov, ktoré sme pri Zlatých časoch nedokončili. A nakoniec dala meno celej nahrávke. Milujem ju...láska na prvý pohľad, pretože vznikla z ničoho za necelú hodinu.
  PIUSSI: To, že pesnička vznikne takto, je akési vznietenie vlákien v našich hlavách. Je to veľká vec, je to inšpirácia. Sú za tým roky nášho spoločného hrania a schopnosti načúvať momentálnemu zažatiu lampy v hlave toho druhého a sledovať ho. Ísť za ním. Sme ako štvorruký klavirista v takej chvíli, ktorý vymýšľa za chodu! Ak si niekto myslí, že to je len tak, nech si to skúsi! Tí, čo nás podozrievajú z nejakého lacného kotenia pesničiek za posledné obdobie, sú na omyle. Ja myslím, že sme ako maliar, ktorý zrazu čosi zásadné povie pár ťahmi štetca. Je to požiar v hlavách! Niekedy ma až taká mierna triaška chytí, keď to takto príde. Nič nie je odfláknuté, je to sila. Mocná sila. Človek žije potom z tej pesničky pár dní. Nič nepotrebuje, len si ju hrať. Môže padať slota okolo.
• 03. Mesto (ukážka)
  
  4:20
• 
  
  BÁLIK: Pocta New Yorku, hudobná pohľadnica. Téma a prvé slová vznikli na zvukovej skúške v New Yorku tesne pred koncertom. Boli to vlastne prvé tóny, ktoré sme tam zahrali. Pesnička bola na svete už pred Zlatými časmi, ale mala divný refrén, tak sme sa na ňu vykašlali. Niekedy potrebujete veci nechať odpočívať, odložiť ich niekam do kúta a nechať vykvasiť. Človek sa naučí zahadzovať nápady, keď sa s nimi nedá pohnúť, no niektoré sa vypýtajú späť do života, aj keď možno sú už v smetnom koši tesne pred vysypaním.
  PIUSSI: Keď sme sa očarení vrátili z New Yorku, zahrali sme s Bálikom Filipovi refrén, ktorý bol po anglicky. Boli tam vymenované ulice a čísla blokov, kde sme bývali v New Yorku a motali sa. „Sony“ len prevrátil oči. Časom sme sa zas udomácnili v našich končinách a tiež nám to už prišlo divné, spievať po anglicky! Tú angličtinu u slovenských kapiel inak voláme „okrasná“. Ale z NYC sa človek musí vrátiť trochu uletený, to inak nejde.
• 04. Reálny život (ukážka)
  
  4:19
• 
  BÁLIK: Whisky mi napísal vyčítavý mail z Indie, že prečo sme nedali Reálny život na Zlaté časy, ale my sme jej nevedeli nájsť flek. Nepasovala nám tam. Na Spúšti si ale pekne tróni.
  Piussi: Pôvodne som mala predstavu, že to bude song songov - o živote ako takom, ohromný, so širokým záberom, ako sa len dá. Ale hneď to vhupslo do týchto konkrétnych koľají. Vletel mi tam tento príbeh. A už sa z neho nedalo von. Tak či tak – verím tomu, že pesnička povie to podstatné akoby „spoza slov“ a na tých konkrétnych slovách ani tak nezáleží. Sú to len karty, s ktorými hrá.
• 05. Pocit zbitých psov (ukážka)
  
  4:09
• BÁLIK: Určite najstaršia pesnička na albume. Spomínam si, že sme ju vymysleli ešte pred 12+1, v ten istý deň, keď sme zložili aj Stratení v hádkach. Bol to dosť plodný deň, nie? No zatiaľ čo Stratení v hádkach šli rovno na platňu, Psy sa stali neposedným dieťaťom, ktoré nie a nie skrotiť. Nahrávka pochádza zo sessions na Zlaté časy, Tomáš dokonca chcel, aby sme ju šupli na album, ale mal som pocit, že nemá na to. Napríklad refrén Ó, ó, ó mi pripadol ako zbor ochkajúcich mníchov bez šťavy. No Tomáš ju zázračne prebral k životu jedným zo svojich kúzelníckych trikov.
  PIUSSI: Som rada, že sa pesnička zachránila. Bálik furt nad ňou krútil fúzami. Ja myslím, že to je naše pravé „eastern country“. Presne si pamätám, ten moment, keď som chodila po meste a nikde nikoho, len občasní kovboji postávali na zastávkach, nasratí, zamračení – dôverne známi spoluobčania. Akoby človek dostal studeným, mokrým vechťom, keď sa vám stretnú oči.
• 06. Zabudni (ukážka)
  
  6:29
• 
  
  BÁLIK: Pôvodne sa volala Uspávanka. Tesne pred nahrávaním Zlatých časov sme boli v skúšobni a na konci skúšky Kubo začala hrať na zvláštnom zvuku dva akordy a Lucia začala spievať: „Spi, sladko spi..“. Doma som k tomu zložil refrén, no slová k nemu prišli až niekedy na jeseň. Len ticho som sa modli, aby ich Lucia vymyslela, bola by veľká škoda, keby nevznikla. "Ééé, Lucia vymyslela si už ten refrén?" to bola moja vtieravá otázka jesenných dní.
  PIUSSI: Ja som čakala na moment. Zrazu prišiel - v trolejbuse. Zrak mi padol na Frešov billboard, ktorý mal celkom vyklované oči. Bolo to čosi také brutálne, akoby to vyklovali dáke vrany. Ľudia – vrany. To bol ten moment, keď zbadáš obraz a už vieš. Ale inak je tá pesnička ovplyvnená ohromne silnou knihou, ktorú som vtedy čítala: Ján Rozner: Sedem dní do pohrebu. Pri jej čítaní človek chodí našimi ulicami a nie je si vôbec istý, či tento pokoj, v ktorom žijeme nie je len veľmi dočasný.
• 07. Karavana mraku (ukážka)
  
  5:46
• BÁLIK: Krylov song sme hrali už v časoch Slobody. Keď sme ju dali na jednom koncerte v Pardubiciach, tak po vystúpení prišiel za mnou jeden chlapík a hovorí: "Ty vole, to je nejaká pesnička od Michala Tučného!?." Neveriacky som na neho pozeral. Ty vole, to je Kryl! Teraz na mňa neveriacky pozeral on. Karavanu mraků som si zamiloval od prvého momentu, keď som ju ako tínedžer počul. Kryl ju hrá oveľa rýchlejšie, no naše aranžmá má bližšie k pesničkám amerických The Band, no zároveň je to eastern country music!
  PIUSSI: Raz sme sedeli v Stoke a Maťko Lauko, ktorý v ten večer brigádoval za barom, púšťal iba Kryla. Dal na bar sviečky a oznámil, že je 21. Augusta, okupácia ruskými tankami, to znamená Krylovo výročie. A celý večer znel Kryl. To bol parádny večer! Keď sme s Bálikom počúvali Karavanu, pozeráme na seba a hovoríme si: Toto je najkrajšia pesnička! Úplne sme od dojatia nedýchali. Ja sa strašne teším, že sme tú pesničku nahrali takto – naživo, akoby bola zaznamenaná jej večná – krylovská krása a naša čaptavá – živokvetová krása naraz v čase. Je to nádhera. Milujem to, ako Bálik hrá sólo a Tomáš Sloboda mu slajdom odpovedá. Pre mňa je to taká radosť, ako keď ktosi zachytí reálnu skutočnosť vo filme. Je to kapela v čase.

2010-01-12 Sungod Abscondo @ Wave

Tuesday Jan 12th 2010, Prešov, Scala

Kevin Macke, US: singer, songwriter, and guitarist
Mark Manney (Abscondo), US: singer, songwriter, and guitarist
David Latinovic, Serbia: bass and guitar
Martin Spaldon, Slovakia: drums

Now this was quite a surprise for me. I have heard about this band before, but they have quite eluded me until recently. Mark Manney (Abscondo) is a Seattleite (!) settled here in Prešov, which interestingly has been called "the Slovak Seattle" for quite some time. As far as I know, he has been creating music steadily o his own for the past two years, recorded two albums in his home and blogged about life and music here in Slovakia, but never took the stage. Until now.

Due to school and other stuff I have ignored his first solo show in support of his new (kind of) international, but strongly Prešov-based band Sungod Abscondo, but when I heard about their performance at Wave, I just couldn't miss it. Thank you Padequa for bringing me in! The songs are unbrushed, rough, same as the music. But the Jam is right on, thanks to Kevin Mackey (formerly New Jersey), and his passion for Pearl Jam (you got it right! three PJ shows on his belt), Martin Spaldon and his un-be-lie-va-ble drum work, David's playfull bass and Ascondo's wild rhytm guitar.

The original songs got the club audience really interested, but when they bursted into cover songs, the energy level passed 11 right away. The scope and combination of these songs was really unconvetional, beyond nothing I have yet experienced from Slovak bands. Kings of Leon, Rolling Stones, White Stripes' Hardest Button to Button which emerged from one of their own songs, and now hold your breath: PEARL JAM's PORCH with Jimi Hendrix's PURPLE HAZE tag!



Youtube cannot capture glimpse of the atmosphere of the night, but whatever. It made my day. Not to mention the unbelievable amount of friends present in the club. Plus new ones from Sungod. I got several offers on artwork, perhaps a photo exhibition at the club. Time to dust off the concert photos ;)



Such a nice surprise! Not the best band around by any means, but the potential is there:

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN TO THE DEBUT FOR FREE:

some links
http://galuscakova.blogspot.com/2008/07/abscondo-midnight-snow-sungod-abscondo.html
Sungod Abscondo MySpace page

Tomorrow's news: my winning photo in SME Weekend!

You've seen the photo here first! Almost two years ago, I took my first double-decker ride through central London and here's the result:

From 06-18 Babyshambles pre-party a afterparty

Ďalší autor, u ktorého nás zaujala aj druhá fotografia. V redakcii sa nám páčil najmä jej kontrast so zvyškom "pekných" záberov. Zašumená a chaotická, možno náhodná, ale jednoznačne má čosi do seba. Posúďte sami.

Nášho "čierneho koňa" potvrdil aj Filip Vančo: "Akoby náhodný záber, z množstvom chaotických detailov, avšak práve preto je plný energie a „pulzu" veľkomesta. Z tohto záberu je cítiť napätie a život nočného mesta s očakávaním niečoho, čo sa ešte len stane. Škoda len, že v druhom pláne, teda mimo priestoru autobusu, nevidíme nejakých ľudí v čitateľnejšej akcii - mám na mysli ich výrazy alebo gestá." Zaradil by ju na tretie miesto.

---

Another author who has interested us with two photographs. In the editorial board we liked foremost its contrast with the rest of the "nice" shots. Noisy and chaotic, maybe spontaneous, but it has definitely something in it. See for yourself.

Our "black horse" was also confirmed by Filip Vančo: "Sort of a spontaneous shot, with a lot of chaotic details, but that precisely why is it so full of energy and the "pulse" of the metropolis. I can sense a certain tightness and life of a city at night from the picture, with an expectation of something that has yet to happen. It's a pity that we cannot see more action in the second plan, I mean people gesturing or with expressions." He would put the picture in the third place.
From cestovanie.sme.sk

I have submitted this photo (and other pictures from my travels) to a first round of a photo contest organized by travelling section of SME, with a jury of internationally acclaimed Slovak photographers and artists (I myself was thrilled that my pictures will be seen by Andrej Bán and Tibor Huszár). I have uploaded the photos and totally forgot about the whole thing.. Until, about a month later I have found out that two of my pictures made it to a selection of 15 pictures (out of over a thousand submitted) and were up to a people´s vote. You have already seen the picture of the streets of Central London that captured the audience and got a 2nd place of the 15 pictures, but here's the picture that was most valued by the jury.

From fotky.sme.sk

Už v redakcii nás upútal tento netypický pohľad na Londýn. Anonymná postava a stopy odnikiaľ nás donútili zamyslieť sa, koľko ľudských príbehov v tomto mravenisku upadá každý deň do zabudnutia.

Pavel Pecha mal vždy slabosť pre kvalitné, čierno-biele príbehy. Nečudo, že práve túto fotografiu by zaradil na prvé miesto: "Pekná fotka v štýle subjektívneho dokumentu, navyše podporená čierno-bielym prevedením. Zaujímavá konfrontácia človeka s mestskou aglomeráciou. Bolo by dobré vidieť viac fotiek z tohto prostredia - možno by sa postava na obrázku objavila aj v lepšej pozícii."

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Already in the editorial board we have been captured by this atypical view of London. An anonymous character and footprints leading from nowhere have lead us to the thought of how many of human stories have been put to oblivion in this human anthill.

Pavel Pecha always had a thing for quality black & white stories. It is not surprising then, that he would put this picture on the first place: "Nice shot in subjective documentary style, highlighted by their black and whiteness. An interesting confrontation with a city agglomeration. It would be good to see more pictures from the same environment - maybe the character would appear in a better position on the picture"
From cestovanie.sme.sk

What I got through e-mail yesterday:

Email zo stránky http://fotky.sme.sk

Dobry den,
dovolujeme si Vam oznamit, ze vasa fotografia z fotosutaze sme.sk "Pulz metropoly" bude v sobotu 30.1.2010 uverejnena aj v tlacenej podobe dennika SME (priloha Vikend). Ak mate zaujem o honorar 10 eur, poslite prosim cislo uctu, na ktory peniaze obratom zasleme. Gratulujeme a zelame vela dalsich kvalitnych zaberov.

S pozdravom,

Michal Mironov
editor sme.sk

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Email from http://fotky.sme.sk

Good day,
We would like to inform you that your photography from a photo contest sme.s "The pulse of a metropolitan city" will be on saturday 30.1.2010 printed out in the SME daily (Weekend feature). If you're interested in a financial grant of €10, please sent us your account no and we will send you the money immediately. Congratulations and wishes for more quality shots!

Best regards,
Michal Mironov
editor sme.sk

Pretty nice, huh? ;)
Go and buy tomorrow's SME it's worth it! For the Forum section I mean;)

In the meantime, here's the link of the contest again: http://cestovanie.sme.sk/c/4965727/fotosutaz-pulz-metropoly-vysledky-hlasovania.html