Diffusions

art director & food stylist:: Julia Kędzierska
photographer:: Jacek Kędzierski

„Diffusions” are an attempt of materialising the issues of identity and nature of Sorbian culture and its inevitable vanishing process. It is a personal project that uses elements from several visual areas that are shaped into the form of a book.

The book is based on culinary recipes from a book called „Slavic mohicans” written by my grandparents - Marta and Władysław Sobeccy. It is a compilation of photographs showing dishes, impressional illustrations inspired by the smell, taste and shape of the dishes and chosen photos and texts presenting elements of Sorbian culture.

I combine Sorbians’ struggles for independence and national identity with an attempt of protecting my grandparents’ work from oblivion. I compare the unknown Sorbian culture with abstract illustrations, which are my personal collection of feelings about the process of discovering the heritage of this Slavic nation.

Hands holding the book „przenikania – kuchnia łużycka”, its cover washed in blue watercolour, against a grey wall

Four vertical strips of Sorbian folk patterns painted in watercolour: yellow, red, pink and brown — Geometrical patterns placed on parchment papers between chapter openings are inspired by Sorbian embroidery. Their transparency fits to the idea of diffusions, covering and revealing.

Collage of food photography from the book: bowls of wedding soup beside smaller shots of pancakes, a milky dessert, spreads and bread with red jam — Culinary photos were taken by me and my brother, Jacek Kędzierski. Warm colours, natural textiles, wood and subtle light create homely and cozy character of the images.

Collage of food photography: a bowl of deep-red soup with toasted bread on a blue plate, beside shots of baked lemons, a bundt cake, honey and a cup of cocoa

Four abstract watercolour illustrations of dishes: scattered seeds with a bottle, red crescents on a yellow wash, a brown wash pierced by a grey stem, and pink and yellow shapes with berries — All illustrations were made with watercolours. Every dish has its own picture - more or less realistic. While creating them I was influenced by emotions and associations connected to the dishes and ingredients. Colour, smell, consistency, taste, shape or preparation process were direct inspirations for the images.

Hand lifting a semi-transparent parchment sheet printed with a brown folk ornament over a chapter title, beside a spread of watercolour stones

Four recipe titles set in serif capitals with small folk ornaments: kakao w kapeluszu, kruche ciasteczka z lawendą, miód rabarbarowy and zupa z czarnego bzu — Ornaments used in titles are inspired by Sorbian Easter egg patterns.