Boris Mikhailov: From "blaue horse" till now days 1965-2022

Considered one of the most influential contemporary artists in Eastern Europe, Boris Mikhailov has been creating experimental photographic works exploring social and political themes for over 50 years since the 1960s. His pioneering work spans documentary photography, conceptual works, painting and performance. In an extremely rich body of work that defies classification, Mikhailov shakes up visual norms. Through a body of work highly diverse in technique, form and approach, he invents his own artistic language and bears witness to the harsh social realities and absurdities of his time. Boris Mikhailov, who combines humor and tragedy, is a tireless defender of artistic freedom as a means of resistance. By uncompromisingly dealing with controversial subjects, he demonstrates the destructive power of art. And having witnessed the domination of the Soviet regime in his country for more than half a century, he has constructed a complex and powerful photographic narrative of Ukraine's contemporary history.

This book was published to celebrate the major retrospective of Boris Mikhailov at the MEP in Paris. It brings together 27 projects from the past 57 years and, in close collaboration with Boris and his wife Vita Mikhailov, features over 3,000 words of quotes that give unique insight into each project and into Boris's methodology and philosophy. A supplementary volume also includes essays by Simon Baker (director of the Musée de la Photographie de Paris), Laurie Hurwitz (exhibition curator) and artist Lee Lederle (an artist and friend of the Mikhailovs), as well as translations of the series "Viscidity" and "Unfinished Dissertation".

Limited to 1,500 copies.

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Title: Boris Mikhailov: From "blaue horse" till now days 1965-2022
Artist: Boris Mikhailov
MÖREL, 2022
Softcover with a booklet
170 x 240 mm each
576 + 64 pages
Text in French and English
Limited edition of 1500 copies