Water Festival

Lev Abramovich Borodulin, 1960

Medium: Photographic/paper
Dimensions /: 28 H x 17 W
Country: Russian SFSR
Condition: A | Excellent - Minimal to no signs of wear

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Lev Abramovich Borodulin’s "Water Festival" (1960) is a masterful depiction of movement and rhythm. The photograph captures the spirit of 1960s Soviet sports culture, where athleticism symbolised national strength and health. Borodulin’s groundbreaking approach to sports photography played a vital role in this narrative.

The composition of "Water Festival" uses a vertical arrangement that guides the viewer’s eye downward, mirroring the divers’ descent. The staggered positions of the athletes mid-air create a rhythm that merges motion and stillness. The rigid geometry of the diving platforms contrasts with the fluid arcs of the divers’ bodies, underscoring the interplay between structure and movement. This dynamic contrast captures the fleeting elegance of human motion

Borodulin’s monochrome palette enhances the visual impact, highlighting the interplay of light, shadow, and texture. The sharp focus on some figures and the slight blur of others convey both precision and transience. His framing transforms the platforms into a dramatic stage, showcasing his technical skill. Borodulin’s innovative use of wide-angle and fisheye lenses introduced fresh perspectives to Soviet photography, breaking away from traditional approaches and aligning with socialist realist trends of the era.

Lev Abramovich Borodulin (1923–2018) was a trailblazer in Soviet sports photography. Born in Moscow, he served in the Soviet Army during the Great Patriotic War before studying at the Moscow State University of Printing Arts. His career flourished in the 1960s and 70s, earning recognition such as the Olympic gold medal for sports photography in Munich (1971) and “Best Photographer of the Year” by Asahi Shimbun (1967). Borodulin’s photographs were exhibited internationally and featured in prominent publications. His work has been sold at major auctions, including Sotheby’s and Christie’s