Sports art exhibition titled "Lev Borodulin. Sport" set to launch in the Russian Federation on August 15th.
In the world of sports photography, the name Lev Borodulin (1923–2010) stands as a beacon of dynamic, photojournalistic excellence. Known for his captivating portrayal of movement and emotion in sports, Borodulin's works have left an indelible mark on the visual legacy of Soviet athletics.
Born in Moscow in the mid-20th century, Borodulin's career began in the post-war era. He enrolled in the art department of the Moscow Polygraphic Institute in 1940 but left for the front lines on his second year, returning after the war to graduate and develop a serious interest in photography. His first photograph was published in 1947 in the student newspaper "Stalin's Printer."
Influenced by the classics of Soviet modernism - Alexander Rodchenko, Boris Ignatovich, and Arkady Shaikhet - Borodulin found solace in a genre free from ideological constraints: sports photography. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the leading photographers for Soviet sports magazines and news agencies.
Throughout the Soviet era, Borodulin documented many historic sports moments, working extensively with state media. His work covering world championships in various sports and Olympic Games became classics of Russian and world sports photography. In 1964, the English annual Photography Year Book dubbed Borodulin "a star of world photography," and in 1967, the Japanese newspaper "Asahi" named him photographer of the year.
The criticism of "formalism" that had begun in the 1930s reached its peak during Borodulin's active years in Russian art, effectively ending the remnants of modernism in Russian photography. Despite this, Borodulin continued to try to revive "formal" principles in the genre of sports photographic art.
In 1972, Borodulin was awarded a special gold medal at the Munich Olympics for achievements in sports photography. His career with "Ogonyok" spanned 15 years, during which he travelled almost all over the world. At the height of his fame in 1973, Borodulin emigrated to Israel, where he continued his work and became one of the most renowned Israeli photographers.
Today, we have the opportunity to revisit Borodulin's legendary work with the upcoming exhibition "Lev Borodulin. Sport," opening at the Russian Museum of Photography on August 15. The exhibition will feature over 60 works by the acclaimed photographer and will run until September 28.
As we delve into Borodulin's captivating images, we are reminded of his unique ability to capture the essence of sports, immortalising the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and human achievement that lies at the heart of every game. Borodulin's work serves as a testament to the power of photography in preserving history and evoking emotion, making him a true legend in the world of sports photography.
Sports photography was a refuge for Borodulin from ideological constraints, allowing him to express his artistic vision freely. Throughout his career, he documented many historic sports moments, becoming one of the leading photographers in the field, earning him accolades such as the special gold medal at the Munich Olympics.
