Nobody wants to keep me company today
at the opening of the exhibition of Evgeny Mokhorev in the gallery Ars Magna
(beginning at 19:00, Kamennoostrovsky prospect, 26-28, room 45)?
ARS MAGNA Gallery presents on May 30 - June 19, 2006 a photo exhibition by Evgeny Mokhorev, "The 26th Element".
The project features about 20 works from new series Evgeny Mokhorev, united in the exhibition "The 26th Element". The name of the exhibition is not accidental. 26th element in periodic system Mendeleev is Iron. It was the iron structures of the Kronstadt forts that inspired Mokhorev to create this series.
This area has a special power. Dilapidated fortifications, where landfills, abandoned bridges, cemeteries of ships and dam fortifications left overboard of modernity are bizarrely combined, bear the imprint of the very Zone where the Stalker wandered in search of truth.
The exposition is unique. Mokhorev, remaining true to his main theme, shows a completely new opportunity for its disclosure. It is not a reverent attitude to the child's body that prevails here, but an iron structure.
The harsh, ringing manner, generally characteristic of Mokhorev's photographs, becomes more pronounced here. In essence, this is a counter-relief - something from which it came out and on which all Russian constructivism was built. Tatlin, creating his counter-reliefs, solved the problem of combining materials of different texture and purpose in one composition.
Mokhorev, creating his photographic reliefs, also solves problems of a similar nature: the construction of chiaroscuro, compositional geometry, and moreover, the combination of two heterogeneous elements: one of which is of inorganic origin, and the other of organic.
One element - the twenty-sixth in Mendeleev's periodic system - Ferrum, iron, and the other - the human body. Iron gives volume, a feeling of power, the body - fragility and suppleness. Perhaps due to this, in this series, Evgeny Mokhorev goes beyond the boundaries of visual art, turning photography into plastic art.
Evgeny Mokhorev was born in 1967 in Leningrad. At the age of 8 he picked up a camera for the first time and since that time he has taken part in many exhibitions of children's art. (Numerous diplomas and medals).
Since 1986, he began to work professionally as a photographer at a state-owned enterprise. In 1988 he joined the well-known Leningrad photography club Zerkalo.
Since that time - a participant of many exhibitions in Russia and abroad. Since 1992 - a member of the Union of Photographers of Russia.
In 1993 - the prize "Discovery of the Year" (First All-Russian Photo Festival).
1994 - State scholarship for young authors.
In 1995, together with A. Kitaev, he organized a professional photo studio "Taburet".
1996 - Laureate of the nomination "Photographers of the Year" ("Blue Pages of Russia -1996").
1997 - Member of the Union of Artists of Russia.
Currently lives and works in St. Petersburg. During the last 10 years he participated in more than sixty exhibitions.
A selection of the most expensive photographs of Soviet authors sold at Sotheby's in London. On the the auction was exposed to more than one and a half lots, made up of pictures of various photographers Soviet Union and countries former USSR made between 1959 and 2004. Basically, this is the so-called alternative art, which in Soviet era preferred to ignore.
In total, 34 lots were sold for a total of £313,250, however, the rest of the pictures also received a preliminary assessment, and therefore a guideline for a subsequent sale.
Evgeny Mokhorev "Azis"
This shot by Evgeny Mokhorev "Azis" belongs to the "Teens of St. Petersburg" series. It was made in 1996 and has now sold for £5,000 along with seven other works by the author.
Sartre Antanas Sutkus
One of the most famous photographs among all auction lots. This picture of Antanas Sutkus was taken in 1965 and has been featured in various world publications. It depicts the French writer Jean-Paul Sartre during his official trip to the Soviet Union. The picture was sold for £7,250.
"Journeys" by Vitas Luckus
Very unusual works by Vitas Luckus ("Travel" series) were sold for £1,500.
"Speed" Isi Trapido
Estonian photographer Isi Trapido captioned this image "Speed". At auction, the photograph was sold for £2,250.
"Silence" by Evgeny Raskopov
Photo by Evgeny Raskopov, which the photographer called Silence ("Silence"), is estimated at 1,500-2,000 pounds.
Igor Mukhin, from the Youth of the Big City series
Two photographs from the series "Youth big city”, made by Igor Mukhin in the 1980s, when he filmed the Moscow punk rock movement, were estimated at £6,000–8,000.
Antanas Sutkus, "Face of the Epoch and Farewell, Party Comrades!"
Photo: Antanas Sutkus “Face of the era and goodbye, party comrades!”
Aleksandras Macijauskas, Vasara
This peculiar shot by Aleksandras Macijauskas from the Vasara series, which runs counter to the official work of Soviet photographers, was noticed by experts and was valued at £2,000–3,000.
Alexandras Macijauskas, "On the Market"
Photographer Aleksandras Macijauskas has repeatedly traveled around different corners big country to capture real life its inhabitants.
This photograph is titled "On the Market" and, along with three other works, was sold at auction for £4,000.
Evgeny Mikhailov, from the series "Luriki"
Some of the works presented at the auction were valued at very large sums. In particular, this single photograph by Evgeny Mikhailov from the Luriki series (notable for being hand-coloured with acrylic paints) was sold for £20,000.
Mickey the circus chimpanzee
Mickey the circus chimpanzee
In this picture, the famous Mickey is a circus chimpanzee, who was taught by Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid to take photographs.
Mickey the circus chimpanzee
A total of 18 photographs of Mickey were combined into one lot and sold for £50,000!
Mickey the circus chimpanzee
The very same series of pictures was taken in 1998, and in it Komar and Melamid wondered about the role of the human race on earth.
A characteristic work by one of the most notable photographers of the former Soviet Union, Boris Mikhailov, was sold for £13,750.
In those years, many photographers worked on the verge of legality, almost underground. Sometimes their work was exhibited, but always in alternative places - it was impossible to see such pictures in the official exhibition halls until the very end of the 1980s.
Works by Gennady Bodrov
Four photographs taken by Gennady Bodrov in 1988-1990 are valued at £2,000-3,000.
One of Sergei Borisov's photographs from the Moscow series, taken in 1988, was sold for £1,500.
City through the eyes of Alexei Titarenko
The original works of Alexei Titarenko are highly valued. Five shots, including this one, are valued at £6,000-8,000.
Everyone except Andrei Kamenenko, who is not interested in this.
Friends, let's still use the language as correctly as possible and use the terms for their intended purpose. Otherwise, we simply do not understand each other. The term "Pro" is misunderstood by many. Pro is a colloquial abbreviation for "Professional". We go (easiest) to Wikipedia: "Professional - a person who has made a certain occupation his profession; a person who has become a specialist in any field of activity, a specialist trained to work in a certain field, having skills, qualifications, and, if necessary, access to fulfilling the duties in their specialty. Many people confuse the concept of a professional with a master. Not all professionals can be masters of their craft, just like a Master in a certain field of activity is not always a professional in the same field of activity. " (http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CF%F0%EE%F4%E5%F1%F1%E8%EE%ED%E0%EB). All clear? Remember at least the famous song of Vysotsky. During the great hockey confrontation between ours and the Canadians, we justified ourselves by the fact that their hockey is professional, and ours is amateur. Although it wasn't, of course...
Further. I am not a fan of Mokhorev and do not know him. BUT, since Mokhorev is well-known, not hiding and not behind bars, accusing Mokhorev of pedophilia risk losing a lawsuit on charges of defamation. With the same success, you can call photographers who photograph animals zoophiles.
Further. Judging by the number of responses even to this video, Mokhorev is not just a professional, but a real master. He got what he wanted - raised the issue. Let not the first, but very clearly. And his uniqueness lies in the fact that he managed to express a purely reportage theme by means of artistic photography. And they beat him for what photographers-reporters are usually beaten for.
Further, about ethics. Mokhorev is a professional. And the pros have a different brain. I undertake to assert that in reportage photography (and Mokhorev, who joined it), really strong shots that allow you to see the problem, and often contribute to its solution, can only be made by cynics who are not familiar with morality and ethics. It is easiest to explain with examples.
Anatoly Maltsev. "Submariner's Mother" http://www.photosight.ru/photos/420343/ Ethical photography? Anyone caught in the frame will say no. (Read the discussion under the photo). Cynical? Undoubtedly. But I, looking at her, held back tears, including from shame for my country. And who is more cynical: a photographer or a president who didn't even bother to interrupt his vacation during the Kursk disaster?
You can look for his series "Children of the Underground" about the life of children in St. Petersburg basements ...
Further.
Eddie Adams. "Shooting a Viet Cong". (http://ptctw.ru/5.html)
In the photo, the general shoots a captured Viet Cong. The photo is silent about the fact that this rebel with particular cruelty destroyed a bunch of people, and distorted the general for the rest of his life. For me, the unethical nature of the photo is in question, but later Adams himself asked for forgiveness from the general. And despite this, the reaction to this photo was such that it strongly spurred the fight against the Vietnam War in the States and thus saved thousands of lives.
Kevin Carter (South Africa). "Hunger in Sudan" (http://www.photoisland.net/pi_hist_text.php?lng=1&hist_id=33) Pictured is a starved girl and a vulture roaming around her waiting for the girl's death. The photographer waited 20 minutes for a suitable angle, clicked, drove the bird away and left. Although I could take the girl to an international help center that is within reach. That is a complete freak. According to all canons. So ugly that he himself could not live with it and after some time committed suicide. The photo has become a symbol of famine in Africa.
Cynicism and violations of ethics are professional diseases of a real photographer. You don't have to blame them for it. The world would be a much worse place without them.
Born in 1967 in Leningrad. At the age of 8 he picked up a camera for the first time and since that time he has taken part in many exhibitions of children's art.
From 1986 to 2008 - Photographer at a state-owned enterprise. In 1987 he joined the well-known Leningrad photography club Zerkalo. Since that time, he has been a participant in many amateur photography exhibitions in Russia and abroad.
Since 1992 he has been a member of the Union of Photographers of Russia.
In 1993 - the prize "Discovery of the Year" (First All-Russian Photo Festival, Moscow).
1994/1998 — State scholarship for young authors. Since 1997 - a member of the Union of Artists of Russia. Currently lives and works in St. Petersburg.
He says: in Kommersant, announcing the Photobiennale, Igor Grebelnikov wrote: “sexual coercion of juvenile homeless children from St. Petersburg Yevgeny Mokhorev.”
Tanya Sazanskaya: it could only be written by a person who had no feeling for photography at all. The pictures show that the models are absolutely free internally, if there was at least some kind of coercion, you would not be able to hide it in the frame.
Evgeny Mokhorev.: With all teenagers, we talk a lot at first. If the child does not have confidence in me, I do not remove it. I am interested in the man himself and his problems. What is important is the environment that has the strongest influence on a growing person. "Atmosphere of the place". It is very strange and, to some extent, unnatural to see a teenager in the bathroom of a communal apartment against the background of material traces of someone else's life. No less strange and scary than the kids in some landfill. But… do you remember how beautiful Ivan-tea blooms sometimes in landfills?…
T.S.:"While Ivan-tea blooms, I do not need other books but you." What about eroticism? early age for which you are so disliked?
EAT.: There is no erotica. A naked body is as much a part of a person as eyes or hands. This is a continuation of the story. (Shows a photo of a naked boy in one photo magazine, unusually beautiful). Here it was filmed and published with the permission of his mother. Everyone was satisfied, the boy wore a photo to school, boasted. I asked him: “You are not shy about showing it, are you naked there?” Do you know what he said? “I am not naked in this photo. And the one who took it off.
T.S.: This is what separates real art from fiction. In every real photo of you, you are defenseless and naked, whatever it is about. By the way, after visiting your exhibition, I dreamed that I was a naked teenager, and you were photographing me.
EAT. (laughs): come to St. Petersburg.
T.S.: Zhenya, you live in a city where every square centimeter is worth photographing. Why is Mokhorev a teenage theme?
EAT.: Nothing like that. I shoot a lot of the city, the elderly. The same as everyone. Recently I shot an elderly woman, such an aged malvina. But many people have the city, many old people, and no one takes pictures of teenagers in Russia. Can you name many names?
T.S.: Only Mokhorev.
EAT.: Me too.
Teenagers brought him scandalous fame and well-deserved fame. Because the perfection of form borders on the deepest psychologism. Because it is reverent and flexible. antiquity of our time.
T.S.: It seems to me that you have touched some hardened taboos. We were taught to hide the body, especially the puberty. Transitional age for my generation - the time of continuous prohibitions. Now everything is different, but people of my generation scold you. It was as if the power was cut off in the old house and ghosts crawled out of the darkness.
EAT.: Yes, of course, the non-perception of the topic only reflects the internal conflicts of those who watch the work. The problem is not with me, but with them.
T.S: Although they scold you.
He is loved and reviled. They curse for what they love. They love for being scolded. He is given to see what we are afraid to see. And the courage to tell more than can be seen. He does not live well, as befits an honest artist. Sometimes sells works to collectors. “Once the money was enough for a year and a half.” Doesn't shoot for glossy magazines. “They will not order what is interesting to me, I will not be able to shoot what is interesting to them.” He speaks in a very quiet voice and does not smile much. He will be able to be deeper than stereotypes and not break loose. And we will learn from him to look on the other side of the frame.
Text: Tanya Sazanskaya
I assume that people dealing with photography are already familiar with the work of Evgeny Mokhorev. His work has received and is receiving conflicting reviews, up to accusations of pedophilia by especially ardent critics. Nevertheless, numerous articles devoted to his work agree on one thing: despite the fact that the photographer violates the generally accepted taboos associated with the image of a naked child's body, he manages not to fall into vulgarity, kitsch and shocking.
“When shooting a naked teenager, I always try to avoid erotica. She, probably, can be present, but always in the second, third plan. Everything is much simpler here. After all, the body is also a portrait of a person, a continuation of his face, eyes ... But plus, a naked body is also light, and a line, and a form, and a tool that can be manipulated, constructing impressions and images, ”says Evgeny himself.
Despite the obvious aesthetic thoughtfulness of the pictures, their staged nature, it is felt that we have more than just a beautiful or shocking picture. These shots are alive, moreover, they usually have some subtext. What is important, for Eugene, photography of teenagers is not a tribute to fashion or a casual hobby. This theme has been leading in his work since the early 90s and, in my opinion, it is this focus on the subject that makes his photographs unique, also saving him from formalism and glamorization.
The photographer says: “We talk a lot with all teenagers at first. If a child doesn’t have confidence in me, I don’t take pictures of him. I’m interested in the person himself and his problems. The environment is important, which strongly affects the growing person.
And this atmosphere is very subtly conveyed in his photographs. Broken lines, geometric shapes: bodies, windows, walls, batteries, structures - everything is woven together. At the same time, personality is not lost.
Despite the fact that Evgeny has very different works (I strongly recommend checking out his photosite), he managed what every photographer dreams of: to develop his own recognizable handwriting.
