Visualizing the Invisible: Tomas van Houtryve

Over the course of the workshop, participants combined theoretical concepts with practical fieldwork to experiment with innovative visual storytelling methods. Sessions such as “The Medium is the Message” and “Visualizing the Invisible” encouraged photographers to think beyond what can be seen. At the same time, fieldwork assignments across Sarajevo challenged them to capture the intangible — from urban rhythms to traces of cultural resilience.

Through group discussions and one-on-one portfolio sessions, the participants reflected on how photography can act as a bridge between investigative depth and artistic interpretation. Many drew parallels between the restoration of Notre Dame and Bosnia’s own experiences with rebuilding and cultural preservation.

By the end of the workshop, the eleven photographers presented their final projects — a collection of images that transformed abstract ideas into visual narratives. The event fostered meaningful exchange, new perspectives, and lasting connections among visual storytellers across the region.

The workshop was organized by The VII Foundation in collaboration with the French Institute in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the French Embassy and supported by UNESCO through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs) project, funded by the European Union, and the joint UN – Swiss Programme “Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, financed by the Government of Switzerland, the United Nations (UN), and the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.