Dita Ziss

Dita Ziss was born in Trnava in 1938, into a period of uncertainty and fear brought by the Second World War. Nevertheless, her family managed to face adversity and keep her out of harm's way. Dita found safety and temporary refuge hidden in an orphanage in Modra and under a false name in Hungary. Life taught her to be brave, but also to be grateful to the good people who helped her in the most difficult moments.

After the war, Dita returned to Slovakia and lived in Trnava until 1968, when she emigrated to Israel. There, life brought her new opportunities and studies at the prestigious Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Photography became her true passion, allowing her to explore the world around her and to preserve memories of everyday objects, details, landscapes and urban life.

Dita Ziss fell in love with light, shadows and reflections, which became the leitmotif of her work. Her photographs are like a mosaic composed of many genres and themes, reflecting her distinctive view of the world. As she says of herself: “When taking photographs, I am usually instinctive and curious. Curious like a child peeking out of a window to discover a world of forms, lines and shapes – a world of beauty, of mystery, a world of art.”

Through her photographs, Dita Ziss conveys not only her passion but also her ability to capture the fragility and beauty of moments we might otherwise overlook. Her work has been presented in a number of exhibitions, not only in Slovakia but also in Tel Aviv.

Dita Ziss is an example of how a person can overcome obstacles and find beauty in every moment of life. Her life story is an inspiration to all who long to discover the world and capture it in its true essence.