Sergey Chilikov is a Russian photographer born in Kilemary, Mari Republic, in 1953. He started photographing in 1973, at a time when the Soviet Union frowned on the notion of photography as artwork. In reaction, Chilikov distilled into his photography both his personal obsessions and absurd observations of his country . Chilikov’s series of photographs bring us a different vision of Central Russia revealed through his encounters with people.
The resulting images are staged in the most unlikely ways, and full of a characteristic dry visual humor. Locals pose in their villages simultaneously revealing and accentuating the austere surroundings. Occupiers of socialist flats pose nude amidst the outdated and garishly decorated interiors. These playful scenes often combine recurring erotic motives and dreamlike color. Chilikov’s Russia is a land unaltered by the drastic collapse of the Soviet Union and populated by characters that cross the line from the traditional to the sensual.
Since 1989 Chilikov has been working on a travel series about cities in the Soviet Union. His series, entitled “Photo Provocations”, “The Countryside Glam”, “The Beach”, “The Gambling”, “The Philosophy of a Journey” and others, depict the hidden eroticism of people of the countryside that appears even more vital when contrasted with depressing surroundings. Source: www.thirdfloorgallery.com
Russian Stories: Sergey Chilikov
From October 26th to December 7th, 2012
Oslo8 gallery for contemporary photography
kunstfreilager
oslostrasse 8-10
4053 Basel Dreispitz
[email protected]
+41 61 272 5858
Fridays and Saturdays, 14 pm – 18 pm or on appointment
