Exhibit: The Sochi Project + Retail Compositions at CONTACT!

Heya! During this month of May, I have been enjoying Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. Several of my last exhibit posts have been on the many CONTACT exhibits I visited (you can read the latest one here). Last week I visited two more Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival exhibits that I really enjoyed.

Dima, Orlyonok, Sochi Region, 2011

The first exhibit was The Sochi Project: The Act of War and Tourism in the Caucasus at the CONACT Gallery. The Sochi Project is a collaborative work between photographer Rob Hornstra and journalist Arnold van Bruggan, which explores the region of Sochi, Russia. A region full of turbulence and contradictions, is surrounded by conflict zones and impoverished republics, and hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. It was very interesting to learn the about this region, as well as individual stories of people living there.

Pistunda, Abkhazia, 2009 (left) 2013 (right)

Brothers, Kuabchara, Abkhazia, 2009

The second exhibit I visited was Retail Compositions by Owen Kydd, in the beautiful Allan Lambert Galleria at Brookfield Place, one of the busiest entrances to the world's largest shopping complex, the PATH mall. The exhibit consisted of several "durational photography" images- static images that are mixed with video. Kydd's inspiration for this exhibit was outdated store front displays and common retail display elements can be seen in his work. This exhibit takes time to enjoy. When visiting, take several moments to look at each image, to watch the subtle movements and appreciate the ironic setting this exhibit was placed in.

And P.s!: Like all the CONTACT exhibits I have visited, these two are absolutely free and open to the public!
 

P.s,

Melanie!