3DPRK is a collaborative 3D photography and documentary film project between photographer Matjaž Tančič and Beijing-based Koryo Studio, which specializes in North Korean art. Visitors to the exhibition in Pyongyang, were given 3D glasses to view the works.
Koryo Studio Exhibition —
3DPRK is a collaborative 3D photography and documentary film project between photographer Matjaž Tančič and Beijing-based Koryo Studio, which specializes in North Korean art. Visitors to the exhibition in Pyongyang, were given 3D glasses to view the works.
Koryo Studio
Tančič was introduced to school children, teachers, farmers, factory workers, hospital staff and workers in leisure parks. Here, he is pictured with bartenders in a restaurant. Tančič provides anecdotes for photos featured in this gallery.
Matjaž Tančič in North Korea —
Tančič was introduced to school children, teachers, farmers, factory workers, hospital staff and workers in leisure parks. Here, he is pictured with bartenders in a restaurant. Tančič provides anecdotes for photos featured in this gallery.
Koryo Studio
"Everyone sees the super talented kids playing accordions, or guitars, in North Korea. So I expected it, but this girl was really amazing -- she was playing traditional music but it sounded like she was playing underground jazz from New York City ... Every time I think about it, I still get goosebumps," says Tančič.
Kang Hyon A, 13, with accordion teacher Myong Ju, 38, at Kaesong Schoolchildrens Palace —
"Everyone sees the super talented kids playing accordions, or guitars, in North Korea. So I expected it, but this girl was really amazing -- she was playing traditional music but it sounded like she was playing underground jazz from New York City ... Every time I think about it, I still get goosebumps," says Tančič.
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"This was taken at a park in Pyongyang where they have [famous] sites but in miniature. This lady took care of the greenery in the area. I asked her to stand up next to the miniature library. But she said she could not have her photo taken with her higher than the leaders in the photo. So I asked if she could kneel down, and she said yes."
Ri Gyong Sun, 45, at the Maintaining Ancient History section of the Pyongyang Folklore Park —
"This was taken at a park in Pyongyang where they have [famous] sites but in miniature. This lady took care of the greenery in the area. I asked her to stand up next to the miniature library. But she said she could not have her photo taken with her higher than the leaders in the photo. So I asked if she could kneel down, and she said yes."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"This was in a swimming complex, called the Wading Complex, in Pyongyang. Brand new, super modern, highest standard of everything. I was super lucky to shoot a female swimmer in this funny, interesting swimsuit."
Yu Hyol Sim, 20, swimmer, at the Munsu Wading Complex —
"This was in a swimming complex, called the Wading Complex, in Pyongyang. Brand new, super modern, highest standard of everything. I was super lucky to shoot a female swimmer in this funny, interesting swimsuit."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"They are youth champions from North Korea who travel round Asia doing competitions. In front of the sports hall there is a statue of a guy performing a kick in mid-air ... I asked them to recreate this and managed to shoot him doing the perfect kick."
Pak Mi Hyang, 20, 1st Dan, and Ra Kyong Hun, 22, 2nd Dan, at the Taekwondo Stadium —
"They are youth champions from North Korea who travel round Asia doing competitions. In front of the sports hall there is a statue of a guy performing a kick in mid-air ... I asked them to recreate this and managed to shoot him doing the perfect kick."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo StudioMatjaž Tančič
"At this factory in the middle of the cornfields, this factory worker is also a farmer in the fields. They grow corn and harvest it, then they use it to make cookies, alcohol and noodles. [She] told me it was the first time she'd seen the machines working, that they'd had electricity."
Pak Un Ju, 23, packer, at the Pyongsong Food Factory —
"At this factory in the middle of the cornfields, this factory worker is also a farmer in the fields. They grow corn and harvest it, then they use it to make cookies, alcohol and noodles. [She] told me it was the first time she'd seen the machines working, that they'd had electricity."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"Two kids in a biology classroom with all the taxidermy animals - it was just an amazing place, amazing natural light coming from the windows, great shot."
O Kyong Ju, 16, and Cha Gum Song, 15, at Kim Jong Suk Middle School —
"Two kids in a biology classroom with all the taxidermy animals - it was just an amazing place, amazing natural light coming from the windows, great shot."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"This is in the same school: they were in technology class with lots of televisions. The [students] were learning how these things work."<br />
Li Won Sik, 49, teacher, at the Electronics Club Classroom, Kaesong Schoolchildren's Palace —
"This is in the same school: they were in technology class with lots of televisions. The [students] were learning how these things work."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"This is on a confiscated American ship from the 1960s, it's called Pueblo. It's an interesting story as they captured it, a spy ship. This was the guide showing us around and telling us what they found."
Guide, Pueblo 'spy ship' —
"This is on a confiscated American ship from the 1960s, it's called Pueblo. It's an interesting story as they captured it, a spy ship. This was the guide showing us around and telling us what they found."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"He is the chief regulator of this watering system ... He looks the perfect role model of a socialist hero: with the wind in his jacket and proud face, amazing."
Ri Yong Gi, 42, water regulator, at the Chonsamri Co-operative Farm —
"He is the chief regulator of this watering system ... He looks the perfect role model of a socialist hero: with the wind in his jacket and proud face, amazing."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"The second biggest steel factory in North Korea, this was a place I was proud to be able to visit -- it was really deep in the countryside. I got lost along the way, and came to this huge complex and it was dark, with this furnace burning. Then they presented me this guy who is super clean, a beautiful young guy. It's an amazing contrast to the factory, which is dark and dirty."
Won Il Myong, 38, furnace worker, at the Chollima Steelworks —
"The second biggest steel factory in North Korea, this was a place I was proud to be able to visit -- it was really deep in the countryside. I got lost along the way, and came to this huge complex and it was dark, with this furnace burning. Then they presented me this guy who is super clean, a beautiful young guy. It's an amazing contrast to the factory, which is dark and dirty."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"Anywhere we went there was first a guide who presented, for example, the history of the factory, then showed us the museum of the factory, and then we could go and meet the real people. I just love this photo because he was so tall and because his clothes are so graphic and match perfectly the columns surrounding him. Otherwise, I tried to avoid shooting guides as everyone else who goes to North Korea sees them."
Guide, Tonghungsan Park, Hamhung —
"Anywhere we went there was first a guide who presented, for example, the history of the factory, then showed us the museum of the factory, and then we could go and meet the real people. I just love this photo because he was so tall and because his clothes are so graphic and match perfectly the columns surrounding him. Otherwise, I tried to avoid shooting guides as everyone else who goes to North Korea sees them."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"This was one of the places that was really stereotypically North Korean and the only place I felt that they were taking us for idiots. It was completely new marble, huge plasma screens, everyone there was young and beautiful, all the machines, everything was brand new and amazing. This was really lying to your face ... But after walking through the entire fakeness of this hospital, I managed to meet one interesting character. The room was quite nicely decorated with homemade stuff, so I took a portrait of him."<br />
Sin Sae Chol, 57, X-ray doctor, at the Mammography, Maternity Hospital Oncology Centre —
"This was one of the places that was really stereotypically North Korean and the only place I felt that they were taking us for idiots. It was completely new marble, huge plasma screens, everyone there was young and beautiful, all the machines, everything was brand new and amazing. This was really lying to your face ... But after walking through the entire fakeness of this hospital, I managed to meet one interesting character. The room was quite nicely decorated with homemade stuff, so I took a portrait of him."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
"He really wanted me to take his photo. I was not keen as he was too happy ... but we started to talk and had a nice conversation. But when I took the photo he was the moodiest, the most powerful, the strongest image, completely different from the experience of how I met him. This was at the ice skating rink - nice place, lots of couples holding hands."
Ri Yong Min, 21, 52kg boxing champion, at the Amnokgang Sports Team, Outdoor Ice Rink —
"He really wanted me to take his photo. I was not keen as he was too happy ... but we started to talk and had a nice conversation. But when I took the photo he was the moodiest, the most powerful, the strongest image, completely different from the experience of how I met him. This was at the ice skating rink - nice place, lots of couples holding hands."
Matjaz Tancic/Koryo Studio
Koryo Studio -- the first Western art gallery to commission, exhibit and sell work by artists living and working in North Korea -- held an exhibition of Tančič's work at the Chollima House of Culture, in the capital of Pyongyang.
Koryo Studio Exhibition —
Koryo Studio -- the first Western art gallery to commission, exhibit and sell work by artists living and working in North Korea -- held an exhibition of Tančič's work at the Chollima House of Culture, in the capital of Pyongyang.
Koryo Studio
Attendees included members of foreign diplomatic missions in Pyongyang, as well as locals invited by the Korea International Travel Company and the Korea Cities Federation.
Koryo Studio Exhibition —
Attendees included members of foreign diplomatic missions in Pyongyang, as well as locals invited by the Korea International Travel Company and the Korea Cities Federation.
Koryo Studio
The event was covered extensively in the North Korean media, and according to Koryo Studio "many hundreds of local Koreans" visited the event.
Koryo Studio Exhibition —
The event was covered extensively in the North Korean media, and according to Koryo Studio "many hundreds of local Koreans" visited the event.
Koryo Studio