Lev Borodulin. Predicting the Moment
.03.08.23 -
17.11.23
17.11.23
Exhibition
An exhibition celebrating the life and career of the legendary sports photographer Lev Borodulin.
From August 3 to November 17, 2023, the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center is hosting an exhibition celebrating the life and career of the legendary sports photographer Lev Borodulin. The show marking 100 years since Borodulin’s birth is organized by the Jewish Museum and NATIV – Israeli Cultural Center, Embassy of the State of Israel in the Russian Federation.
The exhibition is divided into five parts, each of which covers various periods of Lev Borodulin’s oeuvre: from his early works and development of his trademark style to iconic sports photographs and the documentary pictures he took after moving to Israel.
A world-famous photographer and a recipient of an Olympic gold medal for his achievements in sports photography, Lev Borodulin truly revolutionized his art. He entered Moscow Polygraphic Institute shortly after World War II broke out; in 1941, having studied for just a year, he was sent to the frontlines. He was eventually awarded medals “For the Defence of Moscow” and “For the Capture of Berlin” and completed his studies after returning from the war. Years later, Borodulin became one of the leading photographers at Ogonyok, the USSR’s most influential magazine.
His picture from the 1960 Summer Olympics that was featured on the cover of the magazine came under fire from Soviet statesman Mikhail Suslov. Titled From a Platform, the photograph depicts a female diver from behind as she plunges into the water. The photo was criticized as indecent and lacking real substance. Borodulin was accused of formalism; however, that label earned him a reputation as an avant-garde artist, which helped further his career during Khrushchev’s Thaw era.
In 1973, Borodulin moved to Israel. He kept taking pictures at sporting events while also photographing Israel’s everyday life. Just like during his life in the Soviet Union, Borodulin traveled a lot, capturing his experiences on film.
Lev Borodulin’s photographs have been put up for sale by international auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s; he was described as “a star” of international photography by the 1964 Photography Year Book; in 1967, the Japanese newspaper Asahi named him the photographer of the year; and in 1971, he was awarded an Olympic gold medal for his achievements in sports photography.
Lev Borodulin was also one of the first photography collectors. His collection is considered to be one of the largest private collections of Soviet photography, containing pictures by the likes of Alexander Rodchenko, Boris Ignatovich, Yevgeny Khaldei and more.
The exhibition is curated by Maya Katznelson and Maria Gadas.
Age: 12+
Photo: Alexander Borodulin. ‘Portrait of Lev Borodulin’. Moscow, 1964, Borodulin Collection
Co-organizers of the exhibition:
Official partners:
Information partners:
The exhibition is divided into five parts, each of which covers various periods of Lev Borodulin’s oeuvre: from his early works and development of his trademark style to iconic sports photographs and the documentary pictures he took after moving to Israel.
A world-famous photographer and a recipient of an Olympic gold medal for his achievements in sports photography, Lev Borodulin truly revolutionized his art. He entered Moscow Polygraphic Institute shortly after World War II broke out; in 1941, having studied for just a year, he was sent to the frontlines. He was eventually awarded medals “For the Defence of Moscow” and “For the Capture of Berlin” and completed his studies after returning from the war. Years later, Borodulin became one of the leading photographers at Ogonyok, the USSR’s most influential magazine.
His picture from the 1960 Summer Olympics that was featured on the cover of the magazine came under fire from Soviet statesman Mikhail Suslov. Titled From a Platform, the photograph depicts a female diver from behind as she plunges into the water. The photo was criticized as indecent and lacking real substance. Borodulin was accused of formalism; however, that label earned him a reputation as an avant-garde artist, which helped further his career during Khrushchev’s Thaw era.
In 1973, Borodulin moved to Israel. He kept taking pictures at sporting events while also photographing Israel’s everyday life. Just like during his life in the Soviet Union, Borodulin traveled a lot, capturing his experiences on film.
Lev Borodulin’s photographs have been put up for sale by international auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s; he was described as “a star” of international photography by the 1964 Photography Year Book; in 1967, the Japanese newspaper Asahi named him the photographer of the year; and in 1971, he was awarded an Olympic gold medal for his achievements in sports photography.
Lev Borodulin was also one of the first photography collectors. His collection is considered to be one of the largest private collections of Soviet photography, containing pictures by the likes of Alexander Rodchenko, Boris Ignatovich, Yevgeny Khaldei and more.
The exhibition is curated by Maya Katznelson and Maria Gadas.
Age: 12+
Photo: Alexander Borodulin. ‘Portrait of Lev Borodulin’. Moscow, 1964, Borodulin Collection
Co-organizers of the exhibition:
Official partners:
Information partners:
Museum Archive
