After visits to Lille, Berlin and New York, the Ukrainian photographer presents the exhibition "Aves" at the Claude Samuel Gallery in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Accompanied by the students of choreographer Mickaël Ohannessian, Elena Lyakir's work is under the signs of nature and the capture of mobility. We were at the opening.
The search for movement at Elena Lyakir
Elena Lyakir seeks to freeze movement. Thus, with the exhibition "Aves", the photographer demonstrates her ability to capture the aerial flashes of her subjects, birds. Inspired by her history and the Ukrainian diaspora, she wants to reveal the idea of journey, displacement, to enrich her artistic eye. "I'm constantly in a flow, a search for a place I could call home, a constant quest that feeds my inspiration."
An exhibition of aesthetic contrasts
In counterpoint to these twirling birds are several works from the Lyakir's Skins series, forming a collection of bird specimens from the Natural History Museum in New York. A Brooklyn resident herself, she went to select these subjects not accessible to the public to photograph them, and reveal their visual attractiveness. Below, the example of Together summarizes the photographer's ability to sublimate the fatal beauty of these birds, captured by the camera in an embrace that we like to imagine carnal.
In addition to the exhibition, the gallery welcomed at the opening the students of the Centre des arts de la scène, directed by Mickaël Ohannessian. They accompanied the evening with several capsules of improvised performances, undulating between the works and the visitors.
The Claude Samuel gallery, cradle of exhibitions, debates, screenings and meetings, is hosting Elena Lyakir's exhibition "Aves" until 21st May. Admission is free, and do not hesitate to take advice on upcoming events at the gallery, by talking with Olivier Spillebout, its director.
Dancers: Camille Aureillan, Moïra Clemendot, Nicolas Sesini, Paulina Alfano, Soledad Martin, Elizaveta Orlova.
Exhibition "Aves" Elena Lyakir
From 20/04/2017 to 21/05/2017
Claude Samuel Gallery
69 avenue Daumesnil
75012 Paris
