PRO Zavod – is an exhibition that gives those who are interested in Russian history an exceptional opportunity to follow the path of the transformation experienced by the image of a factory through the time, starting from the early 1920s. The exhibition represents not only photographer’s perspective on the metamorphosis of the industrial world through the decades under the influence of political, economical and social processes, but it also follows the changes that had happened in people’s lives, who were integrated or somehow related to this world.
Yakov Khalip. Leningrad factory. 1950s
It was extremely interesting to become for a few hours a witness of those changes through looking at photographs, magazine excerpts and to compare with the vision I had already had of the key events that took place in 20th century such as World War II or the collapse of the USSR.
Ogoniok magazine #18, April 1950
Novokuznetsk Iron and Steel Plant, 1980
TRIVA photographers
Novokuznetsk Iron and Steel Plant, 1980
TRIVA photographers
Although the most significant part of the exhibition consists of industrial photos of 20th century, there are also some audio and video materials, publications of Russian and foreign magazines and installation by S.Ponomarev called ‘Ruins of the Future’. It is important to recognize, that through exhibition shows not only the transformation of the industrial world, but also the evolution of photography itself. Therefore, I definitely do recommend to visit this exhibition. Especially if you are into history or photography.
Mikhail Rosanov
From series Industry, 2006
Lusine Arakelyan, level 5