Until March 11th, 2012, La Criée will be presenting Ukrainian photographer Boris Mikhailov’s Salt Lake series. Dating from 1986, the series of 50 photographs looks back at Soviet-era Ukraine and the simple yet dangerous pleasures which life afforded at the time.
Salt Lake, 1986 C-Print, 60 × 84 cm, Ed° de 7 © Boris Mikhailov Courtesy Suzanne Tarasieve Paris
How far would you go for a splash? Probably not this far. Take a look at these pictures and see if you notice anything ‘slightly’ off.
Yes, that’s right. Those are industrial pipes in the water, and they’re discharging waste. The people there, unbeknownst that Mikhailov is snapping away, seem to be having a whale of a time, not really caring about the repercussions that murky water might have on their health.
Salt Lake, 1986 C-Print, 60 × 84 cm, Ed° de 7 © Boris Mikhailov Courtesy Suzanne Tarasieve Paris
Industrial pollution meant nothing to the people who for generations bathed in this lake, believing even, that its waters had healing properties. For Mikhailov and his camera it was a different story altogether though.
Salt Lake, 1986 C-Print, 60 × 84 cm, Ed° de 7 © Boris Mikhailov Courtesy Suzanne Tarasieve Paris
Visit the exhibition of Mikhailov’s Salt Lake series at La Criée centre d’art contemporain, Place Honoré Commeurec, 35000 Rennes – France until March 11th 2012.
For further info visit: criee. All photos via lalettredelaphotographie.com.
1 comment
neanderthalis
I just got the *willys*