The exhibition Corps révélés is an exploration of the body as erotic symbol in the Soviet era, from Perestroika until to today, through its representation in photography. Featuring works by Antanas Sutkus, Igor Savchenko, Igor Moukhin, Evgeny Mokhorev, Margo Ovcharenko and Dasha Yastrebova, the exhibition at the Galerie RTR examines the question of the body and sexual tension.
“There is no sex in the Soviet Union.” This famous sentence was uttered in 1986 during a “space bridge,” a live, public video broadcast intended to establish links between Russia and the United States. According to the speaker, Liudmila Ivanova, the original meaning was distorted. She had intended to say, “There is no sex in the Soviet Union… there is love.”
In the Soviet era, under the influence of the Communist Party, with its dogmas and obligations, the body had become a tool for work. It was a symbol of propaganda, of imposed lifestyles, hard work and strict conduct. However, the body and nature are more powerful than orders: in Igor Moukhin’s series Monuments (1985-2001) we see the metallic flesh of athletes and other Stakhanovites. The sex appeal is real and worthy of Greek statues, which comes as no surprise: their source of inspiration was the mighty Romans.
Read the full text of this article on the French version of Le Journal.
Corps révélés
Group Exhibition
Until February 2nd, 2013
Galerie RTR
42 rue Volta
75003 Paris
France
