Donbass Chocolate 1997

Arsen Savadov’s photograph, Donbass Chocolate, presents a group of bare-chested, coal-covered miners, some wearing ballet tutus, an unexpected clash of realities and professions. It’s this kind of bold contrast that really grabs me. The photograph is rich in tonal variation, with the dark smudges on the skin against the lightness of the tutus. There’s a miner kneeling, his hand resting on the wet floor, his eyes staring directly at us. He looks as if he is about to come right through the door. This pose, combined with his expression, suggests a vulnerability and strength all at once. This is what I find interesting in the work; it is something about the ambiguity, the mix of masculinity and fragility. Savadov's work reminds me of the photography of Jeff Wall, both create staged scenarios that reveal something profound about the human condition. But Savadov’s photograph, like all great art, resists easy categorization. It encourages us to see the world in a more nuanced, multifaceted way.