Donbass Chocolate 1997

Arsen Savadov made this image, Donbass Chocolate, using photography. It's a very visceral image, immediately bringing to mind the difficult conditions of the miners pictured. I can only imagine what it was like to be Savadov, walking in darkness. The workers are illuminated by helmet lights. The image is predominantly black and white, with deep blacks contrasting sharply with the light, creating a stark visual. The workers are covered in what looks like coal dust, which emphasizes the physical nature of their labor. Each one looks to be in the middle of hard, grueling work. There is a great intensity in the photograph, which communicates a feeling of tension and physical exertion. You can almost feel the dust and smell the sweat. There is a sense of shared humanity among the workers and the viewer. Savadov is capturing an essence of humanity under duress. These men are tied together by a common goal.