An ancient fountain of children dancing in a circle stands amid rubble and debris during the aftermath of World War II.
Emmaunel Evzerikhin’s photograph, Memories of a Peaceful Time, is one of more than 60 photographs on display at the CU Art Museum for the Through Soviet Jewish Eyes exhibit. The exhibit is based off of the book “Through Soviet Jewish Eyes,” by CU professor of history, David Shneer. The photographs were loaned and gifted to the museum from the Harbaugh Family from Englewood, Colorado.
Lauren Jones, an 18-year-old freshmen integrative physiology major, visited the exhibit the morning it opened.“Some of the photos are so up close. I can’t help but think of the photographer being so close to the action,”Jones said.
Jones was one of many students in a Jewish studies course who visited the exhibit. Ann Holley, the visitors services liaison of the CU Art Museum, said the museum has drawn new interests all over campus. The exhibit appeals to those interested in World War II, photography and art. The Wednesday-night opening was attended by 392 people.
Lisa Becker, the director and exhibit co-curator of the CU Art Museum, said this number is large for a CU art exhibit opening. The exhibit is organized chronologically and topically. It begins by displaying the photographers’ work prior to World War II, then during the war, then during the liberation and then it finishes by showing the war’s aftermath. The exhibit chronologically shows the soviet influence on the photographers.
“Photos are seen as a complete, truthful reality,” Becker said. Some of the photos were altered. One photographer added black smoke to make the photograph more dramatic.”
The photographs are displayed in their alteration-free form as well as with the alterations.
The CU Art Museum has been in existence since the 1930’s. The museum moved to the Visual Arts Complex one year ago.
The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is free. The ‘Through Soviet Jewish Eyes’ exhibit opened last Wednesday and will remain open until October 22.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Mahala Proch at Mahala.proch@colorado.edu.