The exhibition showcased the intimate and visual experiments of young photographers from the FMK UCM

On April 22, 2026, an exhibition of final projects by students of the Creative-Experimental Photography Studio (KEFA) at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication, UCM, took place at Malé Berlín in Trnava. The event offered visitors a diverse mosaic of photographic approaches, themes, and visual languages that reflect the individual development of the artists during their studies.

The exhibition was not only a symbolic culmination of the students’ academic journey, but also a practical test of teamwork. The students were fully involved in the organization—from the curatorial selection to the actual production. This approach allows them to gain experience that goes beyond the scope of studio work and brings them closer to real-world practice in the creative industry.

From intimate themes to visual experiments

The works on display covered a wide range of themes—from psychological and social portraits of figures in the music world, through visual experiments with the medium of photography, to intimate narratives and explorations of identity. It is precisely this diversity that has created a dynamic collection of works that reflects the diversity of the artists themselves.

“The themes vary from year to year, as the exhibiting students present what they have discovered through their years of photography. Each has a different genre, theme, and approach. The exhibition featured series exploring intimate themes as well as those focused on human transformation, visual experiments, or a social perspective on the fears of public figures. “I think every visitor found something that resonated with them, and in conversations, various favorites emerged that they liked the most,” said studio director Dr. Lucia Novanská Škripcová.

The exhibition retained the format of a “pop-up” event, which creates a unique atmosphere and an intense experience over the course of a single evening. The artists were present throughout the event and actively discussed their works, thereby naturally connecting their art with the audience and fostering open dialogue.

The installation incorporated both movement and light

This year’s edition also stood out for its experimental approach to the installation. “The ‘Klauzúrna’ exhibition is unique in that it takes place in different venues every year and always takes a different form. While some years are more traditional, this year’s edition opted for an experimental approach even to the installation itself,” explained Novanská Škripcová.

“The photographs were mounted on hanging panels that moved as visitors walked by, creating a sense of depth and contrast in what is typically a static art form. Each series was illuminated differently, which enhanced the visual impact of the series itself. I would venture to say that this was a very successful year,” added Novanská Škripcová.

The event’s success was also confirmed by the number of visitors, which was around 140. The exhibition thus once again demonstrated that the FMK UCM in Trnava is capable of bridging creative education with practice and creating a space for the emergence of authentic artistic expressions that have the potential to appeal not only to the professional community but also to a broader audience.

The following artists exhibited their work: Zuzana Beneková, Ondrej Polák, Jaroslav Reich, Vanesa Straková, and Radoslav Vaľuš. The event was sponsored by Vrzukáč Bakery; Gašparík Butcher Shop; Ščúl Café; JA Service, a cleaning company and supplier of hygiene products; and FMK UCM in Trnava.

Photo source:Roman Miča