Deutsch
English
Background information
"The material published in Boris MIKHAILOV's opulent photo book 'Diary' in 2015 was originally never intended for publication, but stored in boxes. This is precisely why the photographs published here have become particularly dear treasures, because they have been sorted out again and again - precisely because of their privacy and despite intensive processing. In 2015, they served in the catalog volume of the exhibition 'Boris Mikhailov: Ukraine' to illustrate his maladjusted work during and after the Russian Soviet era and the futile 'Orange Revolution' in his native Ukraine. The photo book 'Diary' was already very popular at the time of its release and quickly sold out. As a result, very few copies in good condition can be found on the photo book market, selling for less than 400€." (© Richard G. SPORLEDER)Content
"Boris MIKHAILOV dedicates his diary ,The Blue Horse' to a group of young Ukrainians who tried to subvert the restrictions of the Soviet regime in the late 1950s. The Ukrainian photographer collected photos in his private archive since the 1960s, which he compiled in a long process as an autobiography. 50 years of a life are contained in the diaries: MIKHAILOV loses his job, becomes an artist, marries twice, has a son, moves to Germany, Ukraine merges into the Eastern bloc, regains its autonomy, communism and capitalism exchange places, the Orange Revolution and the protests on the Maidan.In the volume 'Diary' Boris MIKHAILOV tells about his life: historical events and especially private memories. On the pages there are traces of various kinds: notes, colorings, crossings out, scratches, stains and adhesive strips with which he fixes the photos. The result is a poignant chronicle, often ruthless and cynical, borne of a love of life. With a supplement with a text by Francesco Zanot: 'The Scorpion and the Coca-Cola: An Autopsy of Homo Sovieticus'" (publisher's text, © Koeing, 2015).
About Ukrainian photographer, Boris MIKHAILOV (b.1938, in Kharkov)
Photo books by and about the work of Boris MIKHAILOV
- Ed(s)/Author(s)
- Francesco Zanot
- Format
- HC (without dust jacket, as issued), 20 x 29 x 4,5 cm., 430 pp., 900 b/w & color illustrated, trilingual language: English, Italian & German (+ some Russian notes on some photographs)