“Photographs becoming core of crystallized reality”

Until now, Lviv had no opportunity to explore The Day’s annual photography exhibit that represents the best photos of current realities. The City of the Lion had cause to be offended by this omission.

During the opening ceremony the cozy gallery was packed. Every project initiated by Vasyl Pylypiuk, whether it is a book about Lviv or a photo album illustrating the pope’s visit to Ukraine, is always a spectacular success. This time it was as though two worthy, powerful partners were meeting in a spirit of understanding. However, it is not enough to do something well; timeliness is also an important factor. Attending the opening ceremony was Larysa Ivshyna, editor in chief of The Day, who remarked: “Today when the devaluation of the word is taking place, we have an opportunity to engage in intensive communication enriched by the views of talented art photographers. It is no coincidence that people say: if you can’t convince someone, show him a photograph. This captured instant of reality must be seen by the trained eye of a thinking artist. Then words are not necessary. Photographs are becoming another core of crystallized reality, a document that enriches history.”

Roman Lubkivsky, chairman of the Shevchenko Prize National Committee, who attended the opening, commented:

“I try to familiarize myself with every issue of The Day. This newspaper interests me with its sharp and intensive focus. It is a very conscientious newspaper that writes truthfully about life. It is turning us into Ukrainians, and this exhibit is contributing to this effort. All these photos are about us, about our present day. It seems to me that the work Easter was taken somewhere in Lviv, in Briukhovychi. The style of The Day’s photos is understandable and close to us.”

People’s Artist of Ukraine Bohdan Kozak singled out the following aspects of the exhibit:

“Documented history is especially important, as it is hard to duplicate, but fortunately it already exists. This exhibit mirrors the life of our country, its present day. We must thank the art photographers and The Day, which has put these talented people together and shown us the truth about Ukraine. I am sure that if this exhibit travels abroad, it will accomplish more than the entire diplomatic corps. For me The Day means total transparency, where nothing is held back, where there are no misunderstandings, no treachery, where everything is in the open, as clear as day.”

After exploring the exhibit, Borys Voznytsky, Hero of Ukraine and curator of the Lviv Art Gallery, said he is sure that the idea of a photography museum in Lviv is worth considering. He hopes there are enough people in Lviv, and Ukraine, who respect this art, and enough talented individuals that have created photographs and are doing so today. Setting up this museum should not be a problem.

Pylypiuk wholeheartedly supported the noted art critic’s initiative, recalling that the Roman Catholic Church of Maria Snizhna used to house a photography museum. Its archives have survived, and there are a number of interesting photos scattered throughout private collections in Lviv.

“I would like to show the genesis of photography and honor the memory of outstanding photographers, people who put their heart into this branch of art and dedicated their lives to it. I dream of paying tribute to such artists as Mykola Kozlovsky, Roman Baran, Yakiv Davydzon, and Yaroslav Koval.” The development of art photography matured in Lviv, and the branch of photography known as isohels was discovered by Witold Rummel of the Lviv Polytechnic Institute. Now they say that it originated in the West. But Pylypiuk says resolutely that it was born in Lviv.

The gallery owner and photography expert says he hopes to carry out several projects in collaboration with The Day. One of them is a project to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Ivan Franko. Together with Roman Horak, he is working on a book about Franko. They are planning to design a photography competition with The Day, one that will resonate throughout Ukraine.

“It will be a project worthy of honoring Franko’s genius. We want to create a European photography competition that will be a credit to Ukraine. The Day’s current exhibit, consisting mostly of photojournalistic works and art photographs, is proof that this can and should be done.”

The Lviv region continues to familiarize itself with The Day’s photo exhibit.