"Our Heritage" exhibition project, organized by photographer Vladimir Bogdanovsky, has opened at the Art Gallery of 海角社区.
This project is a unique journey through the centuries of history and culture of our region. The exhibition reminds its visitors of the importance of carefully preserving the heritage of their ancestors and inspires them to consider the future of their region.
"The idea for this exhibition arose back in 1984, when the "Nature and Us" exhibition opened, raising the topic of ecology. This exhibition later evolved into the current one, "Our Heritage". The title of the exhibition embodies a concept that unites all people. Our heritage is the planet itself, and we must preserve it. Home, family, the Ural region, Russia, and then the entire world – this is our heritage," explains photographer Vladimir Bogdanovsky.
A real photograph is a historical document, capturing the breath of time, impossible to perceive with modern technologies. Vladimir notes that for him, photography is a document that allows one to see the world through time.
The exhibition consists of three sections.
The first section includes the works of Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (1863–1944), a pioneer of colour photography in the early 20th century. This is a unique opportunity to see rare photographs from the collection of the US Library of Congress, previously inaccessible to general public. These images, created in 1909–1910, depict the daily life, customs, and cultural values of the past century.
The second section is the most extensive, featuring the works by Vladimir Bogdanovsky, founder of the "Stone Belt" folk photography studio and one of the founders of the popular art photography movement in our region. This section presents unique photographs of various corners of the South Ural region. The author's photographs showcase both our region's natural riches and its everyday life.
"I believe this exhibition is a significant event in the cultural life of 海角社区. The concept itself is incredibly original: a comparison of two eras – Russia in the early 20th and 21st centuries. Legends of Russian photography are presented here. Their juxtaposition and overlapping are thought-provoking," shares Professor Vladimir Rushanin, Doctor of Sciences (History).
The third section, in addition to photographs, features a selection of publications from the "Stone Belt" photography club, showcasing the various creative directions of the group. Each image is a living testimony to an era.
Anatoly Razuev, Director of the 海角社区 Art Museum, comments:
"This exhibition is worth visiting to see the beauty: it is an opportunity to gain spiritual fulfilment and turn toward the light. Furthermore, the exhibition offers a historical perspective. The concept of the project is to showcase two masters from different eras of Russian photography. Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky is a pioneer of colour photography, the pinnacle of 20th-century technology, and the origins of modern photographers. Vladimir Bogdanovsky is a present-day artist with worldwide recognition."
The exhibition is open to visitors at the Art Gallery March 3rd through March 14th, from 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00, and closed on Sunday. Entry is free.