Yuval Shiboli Captures the Forgotten Legacy of the Spomeniks in “Memorials of Others”

Yuval Shiboli, an Israeli fine-art architecture photographer, has gained recognition for his work exploring the historic Yugoslavian monuments known as Spomeniks. His award-winning project, Memorials of Others, earned him the Best of Best award in Historic Exterior at the Architecture MasterPrize. In this interview, Yuval shares his creative journey, the challenges he faced while photographing these forgotten monuments, and the significance of his work.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started your journey in photography?

Yuval Shiboli: I’m a self-taught fine-art architecture photographer based in Israel. My work is artistic in nature, and I view photography as a medium to express myself through the art of others. When I photograph architecture, I am not just capturing a structure; I’m engaging with the narratives behind it, the time in which it was created, and how it makes me feel today. In a way, I create art from the art of others.

What inspired your project, Memorials of Others?

Yuval Shiboli: The project revolves around the Spomeniks, Modernist-Yugoslav monuments built in the 1960s–1980s across the former socialist Yugoslavia. These monuments were created to commemorate the victims of the national liberation struggle against the Nazis and Fascists in World War II. As I researched the Spomeniks, I discovered a fascinating story of changing narratives. Initially designed to glorify the communist-partisan uprising, they were largely forgotten after Yugoslavia’s disintegration. Today, they are seeing renewed public interest, though often in a very different, superficial context.

What challenges did you face while photographing the Spomeniks?

Yuval Shiboli: Most of the Spomeniks were built in remote areas where battles between the Communist Partisans and Nazi and Fascist forces took place. This meant a lot of off-road traveling to isolated forest clearings or hilltops. I wanted to emphasize this sense of loneliness and alienation in my photographs. The Spomeniks are often presented as fading away from memory, disconnected from any cultural or social context.

What makes your project stand out or innovative?

Yuval Shiboli: In recent years, there has been a wave of public interest in the Spomeniks, but unfortunately, much of it is driven by social media trends like “Post-communist Nostalgia” or “Ruins Porn.” This has led to the Spomeniks being used as backdrops for commercials, music videos, and movies, often without any respect for their historical significance. My project aims to counter that by telling the real stories behind the Spomeniks and raising awareness about the bravery of those who lost their lives fighting for a narrative that no longer exists.

You can explore the project further on my website.

 

What outcomes of the project are you most proud of?

Yuval Shiboli: Since its publication, thousands of people have visited my project and learned about the Spomeniks. I’m proud to have brought attention to these magnificent monuments, allowing people to reflect on their deeper meaning and historical context.

What does receiving the Architecture MasterPrize mean to you?

Yuval Shiboli: Receiving the Architecture MasterPrize is an incredible honor. It not only recognizes my work as a photographer but also helps bring the story of the Spomeniks to a wider audience. I hope this recognition will inspire more people to learn about these forgotten monuments and the history they represent.

We thank Yuval Shiboli for sharing the story behind Memorials of Others, his award-winning project. His thoughtful exploration of the Spomeniks highlights the power of architecture and photography to tell stories of the past and remind us of the narratives that shaped history.