Baby, I Like It Raw: Post-Eastern Bloc Photography and Video, a photography and video exhibition that epitomes raw post-Eastern Bloc youth culture, is open now at the Czech Centre in New York. Curated by Czech-born Marie Tomanova and architectural historian Thomas Beachdel, the show features many artists showing in the United States for the very first time.
While the aesthetics of post-Eastern Bloc and Soviet Union states are becoming increasingly idolised by the West, it is surely no coincidence that this show comes at a time where ties between West and East are wearing thin. Held in the very symbol of the Czech contribution in the United States – dedicated to strengthening cultural ties between the Czech Republic and United States – this exhibition is a call for cultural understanding, as well as a platform for these artists to define their identity.
Featured photographers include Gorsad, a Kiev-based art collective who focus on the steely youth of Ukraine, Daniel King, an Australian-born photographer who found himself capturing Ukrainian teens in the midst of the Revolution, and Sonya Kydeeva, who explores moments of modern masculinity in Russia. While video artist Sam Centore shows his latest film “Hungry Boy”, spotlighting the exchange of power in queer youth and inspired by the lack of diversity of LGBTQ film festivals.
A collision of east and west, Baby, I Like It Raw: Post-Eastern Bloc Photography and Video is set to engage with New York’s multi-ethnic community in a celebration of the defiance, freedom and erotic nature of youth as they grapple with societal collapse.
Baby, I Like It Raw: Post-Eastern Bloc Photography and Video exhibition runs until 4 April. Click here for more information
