The exhibition of the Russian photographer Vadim Gushchin at the public library shows various series on the topic of books he has created over the last 10 years. The book is not only understood as a literary object, but rather as a comprehensive cultural symbol.
The early black and white photographs are created according to a typology of objects. The artist used the books in his library, which he placed as memorials on a pedestal.
In another series, which are also devoted to his private library, Gushchin arranged piles of books into monolithic blocks where the titles are not visible. The artist does not unveil whether the books are cheap detective novels or philosophical works that changed the world. “There are enigmatic books in which potentially explosive mental energy is focused”, says the photographer. The aesthetics of his black and white works refer more to portrait photography than to the principles of classical still life photography.
In his latest series of color images Gushchin interprets the book differently. The photographs are more emotional and in contrast to the black and white works, based primarily on color composition. The artist consciously refers to the national cultural heritage. He used the imagery of Suprematism and Constructivism, which refers to the icons of Russia. He emphasizes his national identity. Russian culture is profoundly influenced by literature by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Chekhov. The images of the exhibition are a visual challenge in the era of audio books and electronic reading devices. This series of works by Gushchin are a tribute to the book as an experienced object. Books are emotionally charged symbols of our collective knowledge and a cultural treasure, which we have to preserve. – Ulrike Lahmann, Curator
Stadtbibliothek Braunschweig Schloßplatz 2 38100 Braunschweig
1 June to 21 July 2012 Mo - Fri 10 - 19 Sat 10 - 14
Artist talk: Friday 1 June, 6 pm