Den’s Photo Exhibition: the personal involvement effect

“THE SUBJECT IS THE PRIORITY”

Vitalii HAIDUK, businessman:

“This time, the exhibition was very hard on me, but it is just a consequence of the situation in the country. Even what bright photos there are, cannot be perceived correctly. They are overshadowed by sharp and severe imagery that prevails now. For example, I liked the photo Marriage on the Bicycle. Once in the Subway is interesting too, as it pictures girl in a blue-and-yellow dress sitting in a subway car, while a woman in a dress in colors of the Russian flag stands at the door. Were this file submitted for the contest in the past year or the year before, perhaps we would not even pay attention to it. In terms of quality, the picture is far from ideal. However, while we previously extremely carefully assessed works in all respects, looking at all requirements to the photograph, this year, the subject is the priority. It does not matter what device the picture was taken with – a professional camera or a phone camera...

“This photo exhibition had to be held, no doubt. This is life, and it is shown here in the photos. Den’s Photo Exhibition has shown what the country was like this year, how it changed, what happened to it in December, and what events occurred from December to March, and so on. How could we cancel it? This wealth should be displayed.”

“THE PHOTOS ARE FULL OF PAIN”

Liudmyla VORONOVA, a marketing specialist, Canon Inc.:

“Ukrainians of this year are a completely different people from those of the past year. During the year, they reconsidered a lot of their opinions. I remember these feelings in February and March, when everyone saw that they could change something to make our lives and those of our children more just and much better.

BUSINESSMAN VITALII HAIDUK AND HIS WIFE OLENA APPRECIATED THE STYLE OF DEN’S PHOTO STYLE, INVOLVING A MAJOR EXHIBITION AND THE ALBUM PEOPLE OF THE MAIDAN. A CHRONICLE / Photo by Ruslan KANIUKA, The Day

“I looked at the photos. They are full of pain. They show the present situation, the emotional state of society, but the main message is that the Ukrainians are willing to do a lot so that their children could live in peace.

“Each image is not just a snapshot of the action or object, it shows the person’s world through the lens of photographer. It is important that these points record history, preserve what we have experienced. Memories are liable to be erased, but heroic feats of these boys who died for Ukraine should not be erased ever.

“Den’s Photo Exhibition is a living archive that will not allow us to forget anything and anyone even in 100 years.

“I chose as the best the photo which depicts a boy putting out the fire and saving the little doggy. It is very symbolic. A person learns responsibility as they interact with others. In a very short period of time, the Ukrainian society has matured significantly.”

“THE EXHIBITION IS... DRAMATIC”

Olena HAIDUK:

“Pain and suffering that surround us in life, I saw at Den’s Photo Exhibition as well. When you see a rare picture showing a normal episode of peaceful human life, your mood changes. I really liked the photo Are You Interested? picturing a boy sitting on the grass and reading a book, and a doggy looking curiously into it. Once in the Subway was an interesting treatment of this subject as well.

“On the whole, though, the exhibition is dramatic and hard on the visitor. Bright pictures are just not perceived like before.”

“THIS IS EXPERIENCE OF THE PEOPLE AND MOMENTS THAT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN”

Einulla MADATLI, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Ukraine:

“I carefully reviewed this photo exhibition. There are many interesting photos here, which depict the most relevant and important moments of the history of Ukraine. These photos allow one to see the events that took place in Ukraine. This is experience of the people and moments that should not be forgotten, in particular the war in the Donbas and its consequences. However, the atmosphere is not uniformly sad, but optimistic as well, in particular, where the fighting spirit is evident.

A PERMANENT PARTNER OF THE PHOTO EXHIBITION, DEN’S FRIEND, THE FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF PROMINVESTBANK VIACHESLAV YUTKIN AWARDED THE GRAND PRIX OF THE CONTEST TO DEN’S PHOTOGRAPHER MYKOLA TYMCHENKO FOR HIS PHOTO MAIDAN. JANUARY 22, 2014 / Photo by Artem SLIPACHUK, The Day

“Den’s initiative will definitely be accepted by the Ukrainian society and help it not to lose heart and reach new heights. I am sure that Ukraine will ensure its territorial security and recover full sovereignty over its legally recognized territory. I see it as a particular mission of Den. In recent months, the newspaper has presented many patriotic materials and a lot of interesting research. In these hard times, Den’s heart is beating to the sound of events taking place in the country and the world. I have been reading Den for a long time, as it is a quality newspaper, which raises global issues and focuses on the patriotic education and building youth identity, ensuring that young people know their starting point, destination, and what to do.

“The photos presented at Den’s Photo Exhibition are very telling. One can refuse to read books and articles, but the photo is impossible to overlook. It immediately affects the viewer, therefore, military and patriotic photography is required.”

“IT REVEALS THE SEVERITY OF CURRENT EVENTS”

Olha KOSOLAP, a leading PR specialist for Shustov trademark:

“Ukrainians have become strong and courageous. The photos show people who believe in their country, are sure of their actions, and ready to effect radical changes even, in order to live in a happy and united Ukraine. The feature of this year’s photo exhibition is the spirit of unity that is felt in almost every work. Looking at photos from different regions of the country, one sees that times are hard, but they are perhaps this way in order to make us stronger. People feel it as well, it is in their hearts. Therefore, they support each other. The photo exhibition reveals to a wide range of people the severity of current events, and others’ grief is partially transmitted to us. Therefore, the common support prevails.”