PORTRAIT FOR THE KOLKHOZ'S BOARD OF HONOR (Belarus, 1980-1989)
In 1980 Vladimir Shakhlevich photographed the leaders of the Red Banner collective farm. The photographs were intended for an honour roll, and were made close to their homes or in the subject’s workplace. The photographs show serious, proud men clad in their neatest clothing. Some wear a medal for their services to labour. A drape is held up behind them, intended to provide a uniform background after the print is cropped. In 1989 Shakhlevich reprinted the photos, without cropping them. Thus one can see where and how the photos were made, and the emphasis shifts to their constructed character.
