Five Russian shows at the international photobiennale in Moscow

1. Igor Mukhin. Alternative culture of the 1980s

Friendship with actors, artists and musicians helped photographer Igor Mukhin collect an incredible archive of photographs and documents of life in the twilight years of the Soviet Union. Photo: Victor Tsoi, Moscow, 1986. Source: MAMM

The 55-year-old photographer began his career in Soviet times but never followed Soviet ideology. His main interests lay in the Moscow underground and Bohemian scene. His friendship with actors, artists and musicians helped Mukhin collect an incredible archive of photographs and documents of life in the twilight years of the Soviet Union. These pictures, shot in street style, have already entranced viewers in Paris, Berlin and London. At the photobiennale, they will form part of the photographer’s retrospective alongside his other famous series – “Soviet Monuments”, “Big City Youth” and others.

Feb. 17 – Mar. 26

Multimedia Art Museum, www.mamm-mdf.ru

2. Dmitry Starshinov. Bolshoi Theater

Snapshots of rehearsals and everyday life of Bolshoi dancers will be shown at Moscow’s Manezh exhibition space. Photo: Bolshoi Theatre dancers. Source: MAMM

Bolshoi ballet dancer Dmitry Starshinov makes his debut as a photographer at this year’s photobiennale. He began taking backstage pictures at Moscow's famous theater several years ago. A series of his pictures even got as far as the Magnum Photography Awards in 2016. Snapshots of rehearsals and everyday life of Bolshoi dancers will be shown at Moscow’s Manezh exhibition space.

Apr. 10 – May 9

Manezh, www.moscowmanege.ru

3. Yevgeny Khaldei retrospective

Yevgeny Khaldei's photos were used as evidence at the Nuremberg trials, but the exhibition will focus not on the war, but on the lifestyle of Soviet people. Photo: Vovka. Moscow morning, 1956. Source: MAMM

Khaldei, a legend of Soviet military photography (his images were used as evidence at the Nuremberg trials of 1945-46), would have turned 100 on Mar. 23. It is to commemorate this anniversary that a large exhibition of works by the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, a title awarded to him at the famous French festival in Perpignan in 1995, will be held. However, in line with the photobiennale's focus, the exhibition will focus not on the war, but on the lifestyle of Soviet people.

Apr. 17 – Jun. 25

Multimedia Art Museum, www.mamm-mdf.ru

4. Kamchatka

This exhibition is based on a series of photographs taken by Vladimir Medvedev during his travels to the stunningly beautiful peninsula of Kamchatka in Russia’s Far East. Photo: Kamchatka. Source: State gallery press-service.

This exhibition is based on a series of photographs taken by Vladimir Medvedev during his travels to the stunningly beautiful peninsula of Kamchatka in Russia’s Far East (some 4,359 miles from Moscow). The photographer used drones to capture breathtaking images of majestic waterfalls, enchanting volcanoes and mountain lakes. Together with Medvedev’s works, the exhibition will feature video footage filmed in Kamchatka by German filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger.

Feb. 29 – Apr. 9

Gallery in Solyanka, new.solyanka.org

5. Sergey Bratkov

In a new series of works that Sergey Bratkov will present at the biennale, he is using his photographs as conceptual prints on fabric, creating different objects out of them. Source: Press Photo

Bratkov is a major international star of contemporary Russian photography. His works are present in many museums and private collections in Europe and America. In recent years, Bratkov has been combining photography and art, making collages and installations from his pictures. In a new series of works that the master will present at the biennale, he is using his photographs as conceptual prints on fabric, creating different objects out of them.

Mar. 3 – Apr. 9

Multimedia Art Museum, www.mamm-mdf.ru

Read more: The 'secret' drawings of Jacqueline Kennedy go on display>>>

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.