Selected works from "Jews in Ukraine, shtetls" (1989-2001) and “Presence” (1994-ongoing)
The ‘Jews in Ukraine, shtetls’ series consists of pictures testifying to the existence of Jewish life in former shtetls (small towns and villages). The project lasted for 12 years: started with Shargorod, the artist became fascinated with Jewish culture and traveled to 42 towns and villages. Here you can see selected images from the 90s and a set of images made in five shtetls 10-12 years later, shortly before the artist’s emigration in 2001.
The three images of the ‘Presence’ series are made with a long exposure and a special shutter. This series is a ‘private diary’: Rita filmed herself in different places, which are dear to her, with friends and with family. People remained seated, and artist left the ‘frame’ during the exposition. “I used to think that everything goes away and disappears without a trace. But it turned out that my photography is practically wiser than me and everything in the world leaves its mark”, explains Rita Ostrovska.
