Gallery of classical photography. Classic photography gallery Savvinskaya embankment gallery

The Gallery of Classic Photography, created by a group of Moscow photographers, is a new museum and exhibition space among Russian cultural institutions. The gallery is aimed both at connoisseurs of high photographic art and at wide circles of society interested in the cultural values ​​of Russia and foreign countries.

Gallery Challenge- development among young people, the creative intelligentsia, a wide range of amateurs, aesthetic and artistic taste on the best examples of photographic works, which were created by masters of classical photography recognized in world culture, who worked in different historical periods.

The gallery is a timely attempt to contribute to the continuation of the traditions of the Russian photographic school. Starting from the mid-19th century, there was a powerful photographic movement in Russia (and the first photo society arose in Moscow back in 1872), which reached the peak of its development by the beginning of the twentieth century. Karelin, Dmitriev, Andreev, Prokudin-Gorsky, as well as Petrov, Pashkevich, Grinberg, Svishchov-Paola, Eremin, Rodchenko, Ignatovich and other world-famous names, with their works largely determined the direction of photographic creativity both among Russians and foreign masters, contributed to the powerful development of artistic light painting in domestic culture. Unfortunately, for well-known reasons, in the 30-40s the traditional Russian photographic school was reduced to nothing and was never revived. Maybe that’s why today, over the past 60 years, not a single Russian photographer has been significantly represented in world art, while the world shines with the names of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams, Robert Capa, Edward Weston, Joseph Sudek, Helmut Newton, Alfred Newman, Man Ray, . .. the list will not fit on several pages.

In our country there is no state-level photographic museum, not a single textbook on photography has been published over the past 20 years, and there is no higher photographic education as a class. There are no specialized institutes and faculties, no photography teachers with academic degrees, no developments are being carried out on photographic materials, cameras and optics necessary for the art of photography.

Other areas of art printing have not been developed in Russian photography: platinum-palladium printing, hydrotype, color printing "Cibachrome", wet collodion process, the archival periods of which are estimated for centuries. In the photographic movement, both in creative terms and in technology, Russia today lags behind the West for many decades, and some rare glimpses only confirm this rule.

Involve in these problems public opinion, to revive the former glory of Russian photography, to give the younger generation the opportunity to develop their creativity through highly artistic works - these are the goals set by the new Gallery. For this purpose, the Council and curators of the Gallery have developed a set of measures and directions in museum and cultural communication. Firstly, it is the collection, preservation, documentation and exhibition of photographs, mainly of domestic masters of both past centuries and modern ones; photographic knowledge, techniques and technologies. Secondly, to provide a wide range of people with free access to existing collections, resources and technologies.

The most important task of the Gallery is exhibition activities: exhibiting classic photographs, authors of various levels, including beginners, holding creative competitions, creating the country's first publicly accessible museum of photo optics and photographic materials. In cooperation with foreign museums, mechanisms of international exchange (intercultural communications), which have significantly weakened in the past, will be revived. recent years due to lack of funding. It is planned to provide broad support to beginning and little-known authors both in training and in organizing exhibitions.

The Gallery provides educational program: conducting seminars and master classes by famous photographers and curators, primarily foreign ones; long-term training programs, international exchange. The training will be supported by the first specialized library of photographic literature created in the gallery, the country's first. Research and journalistic work is expected in contact with specialized scientific and educational institutions and the Ministry of Culture. Publishing activities, translation of books on photography and photo technologies, publications of world-class critics. It is planned to release a quarterly almanac with analytical articles on photographic and cultural topics, reviews of photographic technologies and photographic equipment. The gallery will provide expert support and advice in the field of photography.

One of the main tasks of the Gallery is to support authors who independently shoot, develop and print their photographs. In other words, to support photographers for whom a photographic print is the final artistic result that carries maximum individuality. Here it is important to raise to a new height the principle of the trinity of photographic creativity: photography - laboratory processing - author's printing. World experience shows that only in this way works created enjoy great success among art connoisseurs and acquire collection and museum value.

The solution to these problems is supported by a powerful material base. In the new building, 1,500 m2 of space, renovated in a classical style, is allocated for the gallery. Laboratories equipped with the best foreign equipment for classical black-and-white printing, color printing from negatives and slides (Cibachrome), platinum-palladium printing and alternative photo processes, large-format printing from negatives up to 30x40 cm, developing black-and-white, negative and transparencies of color films up to 50x60 cm in size. There is a laboratory for rent, where a future photographer can learn independent printing skills, a classroom for seminars, and resources are allocated for organizing programs for children's and youth clubs. Space has been allocated for the design and archiving of photographs, as well as for a photographic materials store and a rental point for photographic equipment for rent.

The uniqueness of the Gallery is that it does not pursue commercial goals, but is positioned as a non-profit (non-profit sector) scientific and museum structure. The funds that investors invested in this philanthropic project are aimed at helping domestic culture to develop new directions, transfer best traditions Russian photographic school at the present time and support for young Russian photographers in the world of artistic photographic art.

To everyone who is partial to photographic art and cultural traditions in general, the Board of the Gallery appeals for assistance in the establishment of the Gallery as a new institution in Russian culture, support in collecting photographic books for the library, documents and photographs of archival and museum significance, antique photo optics , materials, as well as personal participation in educational programs, in translating books and articles on photographic technologies, in working with private collections, museums both in the country and abroad.

The Moscow Gallery of Classical Photography on Savvinskaya Embankment is an attempt to establish the photographic process among the arts on a par with fine and literary creativity. The creators were prompted to call their creation a gallery, rather than a museum, by the predominantly temporary nature of the exhibitions. The gallery of classical photography is located in an ordinary modern house, occupying space on the first two floors, isolated from residential entrances.

Even by the appearance of the decoration, starting from the lobby, one can feel the thoroughness of a museum. We do not consider our own store, thematic library and cafe in the review, but their presence is also indicative. The gallery of classical photography differs from studios and clubs of a similar focus in its expected wide audience and fundamental approach. Wide entrance openings seem to draw visitors inside, to the exhibited works.

On the ground floor, the classical photography gallery housed only one exhibition hall, called Small for its size. Several protruding partitions allow you to place some works to stand out from the general row. There is no ceiling lighting in its usual, common form; spotlights highlight the works of photographers.

A massive wooden staircase, clearly designed to impart solidity, leads to the second floor, to the main exhibition space. An outlandish device is installed on the side of the figured turned railings. This is exactly what the first cameras that appeared in the second half of the 19th century had. Photographs were then taken directly onto a plate with a photosensitive layer; after chemical treatment, it became the finished photograph.

The chamber consists of two parts connected by the bellows of an accordion or button accordion. This device made it possible to change the focal length, achieving a clear image. Later, new lenses appeared, and images began to be produced in two stages - a negative on film and a positive on paper. The cameras became small-format compared to the monster on display; at least our contemporaries could recognize them.

Classic Photography Gallery, second floor

Having climbed a museum-like staircase, visitors find themselves in the main exhibition halls - Middle and Large. The first of these rooms is located around a staircase enclosed by a carved balustrade. To place photographs, both walls around the entire perimeter and rectangular columns are used, which further diversify the exhibition space.

The Classic Photography Gallery has a collection of works by eminent foreign masters of photography, as well as famous and recognized Russians, unique for our country. Some of these works are exhibited in the halls on a permanent basis, and this is of great importance for temporary exhibitions. Reference examples of photographic art allow visitors to develop their own scale of quality of design and execution.

The configuration of the exhibition halls is such that it is easy to place both a large and a fairly intimate exhibition here. The Middle Hall is especially versatile in this regard, where both established photographers and novice authors can present their works to the public. The variety of themes and plots, genres and styles is not limited to anything; the only criteria are talent and originality.

Large exhibition hall - the room is really spacious; there is an opportunity to place both a thematic collection and a personal exhibition. Can't compare with the rooms where we viewed Sergei Borisov's exhibition. Now Tsereteli is implementing a project for an art education center in that building, and the mentioned exhibition was the last such event.

Now photographers do not need to arrange their opening days and exhibitions among works of other types of art. The gallery of classical photography now and in the future intends to demonstrate only specialized works. This approach will allow you to form your own audience of loyal people, like-minded people and creative rivals. The advent of digital technology has changed photography techniques, but the art of capturing moments will only become more widespread.

Museum of Ancient Optics

Undoubtedly, traditional photography will continue to have loyal fans. Even those who switch to shooting with digital cameras will use the techniques they have developed over the years for choosing a plot and positioning of characters, capturing momentary poses and artistic expression. There will remain interest in the photographic techniques of past years, and the gallery of classical photography supports this with another exhibition.

The exhibition of antique optics, intended as a one-time display of a private collection of camera lenses, became a permanent exhibition. This was facilitated by the undying interest of the public, who came to see the collection of more than two hundred optical devices. It is important to emphasize that all the lenses shown are in working condition and can be used for real photography.

Technical issues of comparing photographic lenses old and new are best left to specialists, but there are some obvious things. Almost all, at least for a wide audience, modern lenses are available with zoom, that is, they are capable of zooming in and out of the subject. In addition to the obvious convenience, this somewhat reduces clarity and reduces aperture compared to fixed focus lenses.

However, enough about technology, although there is still interesting question about the use of old optics on modern cameras. Real amateurs, and especially professional photographers, know the answer, and the ignorant will be helped by the gallery of classical photography represented by the luminaries who gather there. Follow the exhibition calendar, come to an unusual museum.

A visit to the Classic Photography Gallery will be interesting for both ordinary citizens and experienced photography enthusiasts. Main goal This institution is to develop highly artistic and aesthetic taste in people. The best examples of classic photographic works created in different eras and received worldwide recognition by master photographers from various countries are exhibited here.

Another important part of the Gallery’s work is exhibition activities. The Gallery constantly exhibits works by masters of various levels, from talented beginning photographers to eminent masters of our time. To solve these problems, about 2 thousand m2 of premises have been allocated on Savvinskaya embankment, decorated in a classical style.

The works exhibited are constantly changing – there are many talented photographers.

In their photographs, various masters manage to capture such intangible things that cannot be touched with hands: love and despair, compassion and indifference, peace and war, joy and sorrow, the beauty of the world and imperfection human society. Classic photography, like any other real work of art, makes you happy and sad, think and become a little better.

There is also a photography club here, where collectors can purchase rare photographs. In addition to exhibitions, concerts and lectures on culture are held here. The Classic Photography Gallery itself leaves guests with a good impression with its warm, soulful atmosphere and calm, cozy interior. Exhibitions are displayed on two floors.

Along with the exhibition halls, there is a themed, very stylish cafe at the entrance to the building. Here you can calmly drink hot coffee or tea with cakes, and leisurely admire the available photo albums. The Gallery staff are all great connoisseurs of photography themselves; they will answer any question easily and friendly.

Viewers can only admire, marveling at how much a true artist can say by just “stopping a moment.” To fully appreciate the Gallery of Classical Photography, you must visit it. At the exit from the building you are greeted with stunning views of the Moscow River and impressive panoramas of the skyscrapers of the modern capital.

The new gallery on Savinskaya Embankment will become a full-fledged photography center with its own photography school, a museum of photographic equipment and publishing activities

• Alice Poe April 21, 2011
• 7662
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On April 22, the Classic Photography Gallery opens in a new building on Savinskaya Embankment. Room area 1500 sq. meters, there is an exhibition space, photo laboratories and classrooms.

The gallery was created by a group of Moscow connoisseurs of photographic art of the 20th century, inspired by patrons of the past. Yaroslav Amelin became the art director, and Mark Cobert became the chief curator. According to the creators, the exhibition complex is designed for a “new cultural visitor” who is open to everything new and equally appreciates art, both classical and modern.

The gallery will open a public museum of photo-optics and photographic materials, as well as a specialized library of photographic literature. In addition, the gallery will create educational programs with master classes from famous photographers and curators, as well as actively engage in research and publishing work. There are plans to publish our own quarterly almanac, translations of foreign language books and articles on photography.

According to the creators, the main activity will be aimed at the development of the Russian photographic school, therefore, along with famous photographers, talented newcomers will also be exhibited here. The project is completely philanthropic and does not pursue commercial goals. Invited curators will participate in the organization of exhibitions.

On April 22, the first exhibition in the gallery opens - visitors will see 120 works by American landscape photographers who have not previously been exhibited in Russia. Among them are Ansel Adams, John Sexton, Bob Kolbrener, Alan Ross, Jeff Nixon, John Wimberly. An exhibition of two Russian photographers who print works by hand will open in the lower hall of the gallery.

Photos from the exhibition of landscape photographers