Imagery of documentary photography.

The artist Anatoly Belkin is well-known painter who likes shocking behavior. Every year he surprises public by growing cockroach or researching fauna and then representing this on his paintings. But this time there is nothing shoking. The artist becomes a photographer!

The unique exhibition of French fashion photography of 1948-1960 years is opened at the gallery space of art-hotel «Rachmaninov».

Exhibits are genuine pages of fashion magazines Vogue, L’Officiel, Albume du Figaro, Femme Chic, printed in the world capital of fashion in the first postwar decade. You can see here works of photographers who were eventually recognized as masters of fashion photography, and also works of famous in those days, but undeservedly forgotten masters. The exhibition presents over 30 works or two dozen photographers, who were shooting garment created by Cristian Dior, Balenciaga, Jaques Fath, Givench and other luminaries who created high fashoin in France at that time.

In St. Petersburg from 21th till 30th of October took place the International Film Festival, “Side by Side” , where films of different countries, raising topics and issues of alternative sexual orientation representatives were shown. One of the interesting events of the festival – the opening exhibition of African photographer Zanele Muholi in space “Taiga”.

The main event of the film festival, as we thought, was the meeting with the singer from the UK  Marc Almond. He brought to this uncommon event his favorite movie that was shown in one of cinema halls MIRAGE CINEMA.

We must pay tribute to Mark, he was personaly watching the hole film, so that after in a warm and friendly and I can even say homely atmosphere to speak with the audience.

Such a cute-cute Marc Almond, quite ultimate, gave a very full and long answers to audience questions. And in the end he complained that in his opinion tolerance to gays in Russia is growing, but as yet it is “with frowning brows”. Mark even expressed his concerns about closing a festival at all.

Marc Almond often happens to be in Russia, admits his love to our country, and even in Siberia it somehow skidded, but seems to be not quite aware after all, it turns out! We decided change his opinion by asking a question that caused a slight commotion in the hall (see our video report).

In general, this evening caused a very positive emotions, adding a good intellectual charge to brains. The only pity is that there were not much people, as it was expected, and I did not see any representatives from non-traditionals from the fashion public of our great city on the Neva.

Antique Fair (flea market) in Italy, near Padova.

On the last Saturday of each month, not far from Abano-Terme, in a small but very historic suburb just half an hour taxi ride unfolds large antique FAIR. It is better to go there in the morning, because after 16-00 sellers are already starting to leave. There is something to look at even just out of curiosity. It makes sense for something to buy.Of course, this event could not be called a “flea market” and find your trip just as an interesting and informative walk in the fresh air. However, it is unlikely you’ll leave empty-handed. Watch the video report.