BETWEEN PATTERN AND SHADOW, second edition

Artist: Olson Lamaj
Published by: PARAROJA
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 18 × 28 cm
Pages: 40 pages



Edition: Second edition of 100 copies

Between Pattern and Shadow is a photographic exploration of Tirana’s urban transformation and the invisible narratives embedded within its everyday landscapes. The project looks at the city as a living organism, shaped by continuous cycles of destruction, construction, and adaptation. From traditional neighborhoods and fragmented domestic spaces to the rapid emergence of high-rise buildings, the photographs reveal the visual contradictions of a city caught between memory and renewal.

Through patterns, shadows, surfaces, and architectural details, the series uncovers a hidden language formed by the traces of everyday life: fences, walls, cables, unfinished structures, and improvised interventions. Beyond the official image of Tirana as a symbol of progress and development, the project focuses on the intimate and often overlooked realities that exist behind its changing appearance. Between Pattern and Shadow becomes a reflection on a city constantly rewriting itself, carrying the remains of its past while negotiating the pressures of its uncertain future.