Through the Bodrovian Lenses.
A sense of immortality of Kursk and Soviet times was captured by a man who chose to see things a little differently from others.
Genady Bodrov was born on 17 May 1957, in Soltsy, Novgorod region. His family moved to Kursk and resided somewhere around Shkolnaya street, whereby it was nicknamed the ‘monk’s cave’. Ever since his mother passed away after his murder few years later, another family lives there now.
I ask you now to take a close look at his hands. How does he hold his camera? Don’t you find it weird? Perhaps, you’ve noticed something distinct as well.
Back in 1960s, ‘Prospect Pobedy’ in Kursk was a dangerous wasteland that affected by the Second World War. Despite many years have passed, some came across the unexplored and hidden land mines. When Bodrov was 10 years old, he and his friends ran to the ‘mertvuha’ (a Russian adverb that stands for «dead zone») and discovered a land mine. Unfortunately, 3 fingers became the subject of sacrifice as it detonated while Bodrov was examining it.
It was a disastrous moment for a young boy, as his future will be compromised with missing fingers. Will he get a good job? How will he contribute to the development of USSR? Back then, his family was uncertain about it, but little did we know greatness awaited him. From Australia to the UK, his talent in photography was acknowledged. Mysteriously enough, neither students of photography nor journalism know about this excellent man.
Just as the picturing the marvelous painting by Michelangelo, ‘The Creation of Adam’ on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, Genady’s destiny was engaged as soon as he laid his remaining fingers on a camera. ‘Kiev’ and ‘Zenit’ models were his first ones. From 1973 till 1976 he studied at the Contemporary Art University in Moscow and started working at a newspaper publisher in Moscow and from 1974, he further expanded his career to other cities.
Being a full-time freelancer, He afforded the original Japanese and German accessories for his camera gear. Such old ones that were made at the beginning of 1900s to make photo-collages were in his collection, «A Horse» (see a photo) or «A Driver».
Genady was famous outside of the USSR. His first photo exhibition took place in Berlin. Secondly in Poland, on to Austria, and finally in Russia. Soviet people were absolutely clueless about him! Genady loves to have a calm stroll along the streets. But during his stay in New York, he claimed that it was close to impossible and decided to return to his beloved Kursk.
As a person, he was very soft-spoken and often silent. Nobody could recognize him nor notice him as a serious artist — an old-fashioned sweater, faded slacks and old shoes. Nothing more than maple leaf blending in the forest during fall. Among his circle of acquaintances, he was never was detained by a police officer, but his friends, countless times.
His colleagues adored him: witty and kind, generous and closed. How could he snap this?
One of his iconic photos. «Boys washing a Clock». What was the first idea that popped out of your mind? They are young and careless about their future. They spend their time recklessly. How will they survive in the future? God knows. You see, time is precious. Do not waste it, OK?
Bodrov’s photos carry the light weight. But the longer you observe, magically the layers get peeled one by one. Full of unexpected metaphors, almost a documentary itself.
Many experiments were carried out such as pseudo-solarization (also known as the Sabattier effect) process and panoramic photography, collages with a wide-angle lens as well.
His friends knew absolutely nothing about him. His taste in music, what food he likes, nor what books he read. But they were convinced that he was a smart one. Genady preferred a simple life. There were occasions whereby he hustled as a wedding photographer to earn some extra cash. He even experimented taking photos of naked and semi-naked models, but it was disastrous as he was confused on how to take their pictures.
As the number of clicks increases, Genady was famous among the people of Kursk. Despite his closed character, we believe he had no enemies. Surprisingly there were some rumors of his murder. How did this atrocity happen you may ask? A client requested Genady to take photos of his friend’s wedding. He agreed, but who knew that everything would turn upside down.
On 14 February 1999, he got into their car and brought him deep into the forest. Those murderers just wanted to steal his camera without any intentions of killing him. But as soon as they got their dirty hands on Genady’s camera gear, they suffocated him until his soul left his body. The murderers were brought to justice and got 20 and 22 years of sentence.
Those foolish men believed that it was his camera gear that gave him the capability to take such remarkable photos, but any rational person knows — a long path of practice with experience and followed by numerous errors were the main ingredients to obtain one’s success.
In conclusion, Genady Bodrov’s life was like a bar of sweet and spicy chocolate that sets your taste buds on fire. A mix of happiness and humbleness, but with a very tragic ending. His perception of the world was particularly unique. Genady never gave a title to most of his works. On the back of some of his photos, he leaves a stamp with his home address and phone number. On rare occasions, a title with «a simple motive».
