13.10.2016
Yury Molodkovets exhibition
Theatregoers will soon be treated to a new exhibition at the Fireplace Hall of the dress circle, entitled “Images of the Museum Taken with a Mobile Phone”. The photographs are the work of renowned photographer Yury Molodkovets, who manages the State Hermitage Museum’s official Instagram account.
Molodkovets is already a familiar figure with devotees of the Hermitage who enjoy learning about the history and workings of this great museum. For almost a quarter of a century, the photographer has been observing the evolution of this vast living, breathing structure, and capturing it for posterity, both on light-sensitive photographic film and digitally. Those who have not been to St. Petersburg, and have only ever been able to perceive the enchanting beauty of the Hermitage through postcards, have most likely viewed the museum through the lens of Molodkovets. He has had personal exhibitions from London all the way to Novosibirsk, and his work is printed by leading Russian and international publishers.
Of course, the museum’s collection and its interiors are in no need of promotion, or indeed of any flattering camera angles or special lighting. That, however, was never what Molodkovets set out to do. Indeed, the Hermitage in his photographs is a world away from the pretentiousness that can sometimes be associated with artistic circles. Instagram’s filters are used to convey what might be referred to as “high culture” in a simple, understandable language. And though this so-called “Russian ark” (to borrow the term from Sukorov’s 2002 film homage) can easily be considered a timeless cultural wonder, Molodkovets leaves these considerations aside, instead approaching his subject on a much more human scale. The play of light and shadow, details of old paintings, the stucco decorations, iron latticework, and, of course, the much-loved Hermitage cats: this is how we see the museum through Molodkovets’ photographs.
The exhibition is the latest joint initiative between the Mikhailovsky Theatre and the Delovoy Peterburg newspaper under the “Architectural Heritage of St. Petersburg” project, which invites visitors to discuss the future of the city’s historical districts. Previous exhibitions included Vitaly Raskalov and Vadim Makhorov’s “Looking from Above”, Andrey Strelnikov’s “Disappearing Cityscape”, Gennady Blokhin’s “Eternal City”, and Alexander Petrosyan’s “Masterpieces”.
The Yury Molodkovets exhibition will officially open on 17 October, and can be visited upon presentation of a valid ticket to the Mikhailovsky Theatre.
Molodkovets is already a familiar figure with devotees of the Hermitage who enjoy learning about the history and workings of this great museum. For almost a quarter of a century, the photographer has been observing the evolution of this vast living, breathing structure, and capturing it for posterity, both on light-sensitive photographic film and digitally. Those who have not been to St. Petersburg, and have only ever been able to perceive the enchanting beauty of the Hermitage through postcards, have most likely viewed the museum through the lens of Molodkovets. He has had personal exhibitions from London all the way to Novosibirsk, and his work is printed by leading Russian and international publishers.
Of course, the museum’s collection and its interiors are in no need of promotion, or indeed of any flattering camera angles or special lighting. That, however, was never what Molodkovets set out to do. Indeed, the Hermitage in his photographs is a world away from the pretentiousness that can sometimes be associated with artistic circles. Instagram’s filters are used to convey what might be referred to as “high culture” in a simple, understandable language. And though this so-called “Russian ark” (to borrow the term from Sukorov’s 2002 film homage) can easily be considered a timeless cultural wonder, Molodkovets leaves these considerations aside, instead approaching his subject on a much more human scale. The play of light and shadow, details of old paintings, the stucco decorations, iron latticework, and, of course, the much-loved Hermitage cats: this is how we see the museum through Molodkovets’ photographs.
The exhibition is the latest joint initiative between the Mikhailovsky Theatre and the Delovoy Peterburg newspaper under the “Architectural Heritage of St. Petersburg” project, which invites visitors to discuss the future of the city’s historical districts. Previous exhibitions included Vitaly Raskalov and Vadim Makhorov’s “Looking from Above”, Andrey Strelnikov’s “Disappearing Cityscape”, Gennady Blokhin’s “Eternal City”, and Alexander Petrosyan’s “Masterpieces”.
The Yury Molodkovets exhibition will officially open on 17 October, and can be visited upon presentation of a valid ticket to the Mikhailovsky Theatre.
