To mark the year 2013, we inaugurated Ukraine’s first large-scale retrospective of the renowned Ukrainian photographer Boris Mikhailov, titled “Unrespectable. Retrospective. Scribbles”.
As the sole photographer from the post-Soviet space to be awarded the Hasselblad Prize, often considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in photography, Boris Mikhailov has consistently amazed and, dare we say, shocked audiences with his work. This often teeters on the edge of political and social norms.
The exhibition itself took place at the YermilovCentre, curated by Tetyana Tumasyan, director of the Municipal Gallery. She worked closely with the Mikhailovs to shape the exhibition, and all staff members of the Municipal Gallery and VOVATANYA gallery were involved in the preparation and implementation of this large-scale project over many months.
We have works from almost every series by Mikhailov on display — from the Blue, Red, and Brown series, to ‘History of an Illness’, ‘I am Not I’, ‘Sandwiches’, and ‘Industrial Zones’. Additionally, there are works that have never been exhibited before, which Boris refers to as ‘scribbles’ — photographs from various years that he considers ‘unfinished tasks’ and to which he is now giving new life. In total, there are about 50 large photographs on the walls and over 50 smaller ones in vitrines,” said Tetyana Tumasyan. The photographer’s provocative images attracted numerous viewers from Kharkiv and other cities, even countries. Public and press reactions were incredibly diverse, ranging from praise for the artist’s genius to accusations of immorality and vulgarity.
As part of the project, a theoretical platform was organized, inviting leading contemporary art experts from London, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Riga, and Kyiv. At Boris Mikhailov’s request, the Municipal Gallery also developed a youth platform project, through which the artist aimed to highlight the main directions and trends of “young” art. Mikhailov jokingly referred to this project as “To Help Mikhailov.” Additionally, a public discussion took place with researchers of Boris Mikhailov’s work from Moscow, Riga, and London. Experts discussed the phenomenon of Boris Mikhailov and his influence on the photographic environment of Kharkiv, as well as the emergence of the term “Kharkiv School of Photography.
https://mgallery.kharkov.ua/1997-proiekt-suchasne-mistectvo-avstrii-abstrakcija-zi-zalcburga/
