Photo exhibit audience’s choice leaders are determined

“Daddy, hurry up. The photo contest will close in an hour!” a girl spoke into her mobile phone, urging her parents to see the best photos of the year. Last Sunday, The Day summed up this year’s photo exhibit. Within a week the exposition in the Ukrainian House was visited by some 18,000 art photography buffs; 2,960 took part in the vote to name the winners. And the main intrigue, audience’s choice, was finally revealed. Before we name the winners, we would like to note a trend; most viewers agreed with the jury when they named the Grand Prix winner, but they also wanted to single out works they considered noteworthy. The first place went to Oleksandr Kosarev’s “Monopolist” (99 votes); Vasyl Artiushenko’s “Eyes of the Maidan” was placed second (98); Natalia Kravchuk’s “An Orphan Girl,” third (86), Serhiy Kushchenko’s “Eternity,” fourth (85), and Anatoly Stepanov’s “Easter Eve,” fifth (76). It was Stepanov’s debut, yet he won Editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna’s special prize. Volodymyr Falin’s “Quiet, Daddy’s Sleeping,” Borys Korpusenko’s “Harassment,” “Anastasia Syrotkina’s “A Spare Braid,” Mykhailo Ma rkiv’s “New Year on the Maidan,” and Vasyl Artiushenko’s “An Old Soldier” were only a short way behind. And so prizes were awarded with a difference of only several votes. This decided the destiny of our prize. This year’s winner of the audience choice is Oleksandr Kosarev, a photographer since recently on The Day ’s staff. He was awarded a scroll and two new books from the newspaper’s Library Series: The Day and Eternity of James Mace and Klara Gudzyk’s Apocrypha, as well as a photo album. Editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna notes that “we are getting closer to a multidimensional perception of the world.” This year’s photo exhibit is graphic proof of the diversity of ideas that must be predominant in a society. “There were many shades to the photo exhibit; the rich cultural world displayed by the authors ignited a spark in the viewers’ hearts,” says Larysa Ivshyna.

Those who could not attend the exhibit in the Ukrainian House may see the best works at the Vernadsky National Library, beginning on October 4, at 3 Prospekt 40-richia Zhovtnia. Visiting hours: 10 AM-18 PM.

COMMENTS

Olesia BILOUS, monumentalist, editor of The Big Children’s Gazette:

These photos, so very dynamic and remarkably attractive, portray Ukraine, from the president to a village granny. People in power are shown in a perspective different from that we watch on television. You look at them and realize that are just like us ordinary people with the same kinds of emotions and ideas. Among those exploring your exhibit are people of different inclinations, occupations, social status, and age groups. This means that this photo exhibit is in the midst of life. I was surprised to spot a photo with my daughter and me, taken at the “Dreamland” festival. We were both bone tired and paid no attention to photographers. And now I could see myself as though through an onlooker’s eyes. It’s different from when you pose for a camera, smiling. I seemed a different person, but it was interesting.

Valery KOVAL, deputy chairman, Party of Liberty:

I have been visiting The Day’s exhibits for seven years and every year I’ve been happy to see their professional level increase, with numerous new excellent works submitted by young authors. The general impression of this year’s photo exhibit is that it suffices for an encyclopedia on life in Ukraine during the 14 years of our independence. I think that it isn’t the last rung in the ladder of news photographers’ professionalism. Honestly, I’m here this time (not my first time at this year’s exhibit) I came specially to see one photo, “Eyes of the Maidan.” Once, on a business trip, I saw a woman with the same eyes as in this photo. All my friends who have explored this exhibit are delighted. This exposition is unmatched and held on a very high professional level. My wife says that these works are like a documentary that should be watched by every citizen. It should be noted that the political photos are skillfully arranged. To sum it all up, I believe that The Day is one of the best serious newspapers in Ukraine. I’m its regular subscriber and supporter. I’ve read it since its inception. I wish you the best of creative success and happy prospects.

Yuriy LESHCHENKO, teacher, Humanities Center:

I’m mostly attracted by philosophic photos. For example, “Easter Eve.” I agree with the choice made by the editor-in-chief of The Day. In general, the photos on display give one food for thought. As a devoted reader, I have long grown accustomed to this newspaper and its numerous projects being meant for thinking readers. I can’t say that such reflections make one pessimistic. They are simply realistic. A number of photos show people singing “Ukraine is not yet Dead!” — and that we can improve the situation. Everything is in our hands. However, some photos show that in many situations we tend to grope in the dark.