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[SOVIET ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY] Vystavka rabot masterov sovetskogo foto-iskusstva [i.e. Exhibition of Works of Soviet Photographers]

Moscow: 1935. Item #458

147, [9] pp.: ill., 3 pl. 22x15 cm. In original printed wrappers. Very good, tears of the spine, mild creases and soiling of wrappers, few pencil underlinings.

First and only edition. One of 2000 copies. Very rare.

The edition was compiled and edited by G. Boltyansky, M. Grinberg, L. Mezherichera. Design by Bazhanov. The first exhibition of this kind was held in 1928. This was the first show in 7 years and it gathered 23 Moscow photographers and three organizations (Soyuzfoto, Inturist, Moskoopkult). Overall 500 items were presented. If the first exhibition was supposed to prove that photography is an independent art, this exhibition showed that photography became another tool in hands of Soviet man building a new socialist country. Among participants of the show were A. Rodchenko, M. Nappelbaum, A. Shterenberg, I. Shagin, A. Shaikhet, M. Alpert, P. Klepikov, S. Fridlyand and others. In the catalogue for every photographer there is a photo portrait and short biography with list of works and an example of their work (a few in color).

Interesting that this exhibition united masters of an old and new school of photography. Even more interesting that in Alexander Rodchenko’s entry is highlighted his leftist and formalist tendencies which he ‘finally’ is getting rid of. His works called significant yet often controversial. This is the year of 1935 and such critics of formerly praised artists were usual.

Overall a great source of information on early Soviet photography art and its main participants. Even though many photographs were supposed to serve as another propaganda tool, they were first of all a depiction of early Soviet life and artistic vision of photographer. Soon photography would become strictly propaganda.

No copies in Worldcat.

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