“It is a disgraceful world, populated by some creatures that were once humans, but now these living beings are degraded, ghastly, appalling. This “fauna” is specific especially to the period of quasi-general diffidence, specific for most of the post-communist world.”
People living at the edge of society. The perception of social disintegration ensuing from the break-up of the Soviet Union, in terms of social structures and human condition, social oppression, devastating poverty, the harshness and helplessness of everyday life. Boris Mikhailov is one of the leading photographers from the countries that formerly constituted the Soviet Union, and his work is currently on view in the exhibition Boris Mikhailov: Case History through September the 5th at the MoMa, New York City. For over 40 years, Mikhailov has explored the position of the individual within the mechanisms of public ideology, touching on such subjects as Ukraine under Soviet rule, the living conditions in post-communist Eastern Europe, and the fallen ideals of the Soviet Union. The consequences of the breakdown of the Soviet Union for the people living there, homeless people, who trusted him and his camera. More than five hundred photographs that portrait those who after the breakdown were not able to catch hold in a secured social system.
Few days remaining and a great chance to getting to know a great photographer.
Boris Mikhailov:Case History until Sept. 5th, MoMa NYC
