'Another Europe' Explores the Diversity of European Heritage

In an age of globalisation, how connected are we really to other cultures? And what is our understanding of our heritage, both collectively within Europe and our respective countries?

Another Europe brings together 28 emerging and established photographers, each from an EU member state, who consider aspects of our cultural heritage on a local, regional and national scale. From traditions and celebrations to family and childhood, the selected photographs traverse the daily milieu that gives Europe its unique heritage.

Some artists focus on the disappearing culture of their homelands and neighbouring countries, including Hungarian photographer Tamas Dezso, who has been documenting the decline of Romania’s infrastructure and fading traditions.

Others celebrate the individuality of communal ceremonial events like George Tatakis, whose photograph of a procession of women carrying a groom’s dowry to the bride on the Greek island of Karpathos examines the customs that bond us together.

The preservation of folk traditions is another theme that’s explored, most poignantly in Birgit Püve’s portrait from her Kynö series that was taken on the tiny island of Kihnu off the Estonian coast, which is home to one of the last matriarchal communities.

The exhibition not only focusses on the cultural conventions and daily routines of people, but also the inspirational civic spaces that have been created over centuries by society.

Ariane Chopard-Guillaumot and Rémy Marlot of the French artistic duo Marlot & Chopard concentrate their focus on architectural heritage by photographing the monuments and urban landscapes that have shaped European civilisation.

Curated by British photographer Hamish Park, the photographs will be displayed on concrete benches around the area of King’s Cross station. A pertinent location due to its connection to Europe via the Eurostar, the benches will give the public a place to rest and reflect upon the commonalities and differences of our cultural heritage.

“The symbolism of this exhibition will have escaped few,” said Park of the exhibition, which is in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in the UK, Argent Property Development and Atelier Jungwirth in Austria.

It is an example of one of the many forms of cooperation which has been fostered between the states of the EU over decades. The work illustrates common themes but also highlights the particularities that make up Europe’s rich cultural heritage.”

Another Europe is at various locations around King’s Cross station until 9 August 2018.

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