Russian self-portraits by David Attie, published by Thames and Hudson in 1977.

This book is a compilation of Russian self-portraits taken during the American Cultural Exchange exhibition in Kiev, during the summer in 1976. During this exhibition a number of the best photographical works were on display, including three photographers demonstrating their practice live to the audience; Ray Hasch worked in a darkroom which was visible through a red glass window, Richard Townsend enlarged photographs in colour in full view and author of the book David Attie operated a Live Photo studio, open to the visiting public. 

During a previous show in Bucharest Attie was attempting to come up with a way to make what was happening interesting to visitors; referring to the "kitchen debate" between Nixon and Krushchev, in which they came to an agreement to display the other countries work as a cultural exchange to promote understanding between the two countries people. So Attie came up with the idea to arrange to have the viewers take their own photographs, resulting in some 'very lively and cheerful images' (David Attie, 1977). So after the success in Bucharest Attie decided to further this idea in Kiev. 

To carryout the Kiev exhibition Attie had a full length mirror brought in from Vienna, a view camera sent in from the US and a massive amount of Polaroid positive-negative film. Planning on being able to give each person photographed an instant print and Attie being able to keep the images negative. The mirror being able to provide them them with the view of what they were going to look like, so they could prepare how they wanted to be photographed. The way it worked was that the lights briefly went dark and the shutter opened, then with a button at the end of a long wire connected to the lighting the subject would press and allow the light to trigger, then the shutter closing and the image was taken. The whole idea was seamless, in theory would've been a fantastic opportunity.

In practice using the positive-negative Polaroids presented issues from the beginning; but they presented flaws creating an uncertainty that each print would be free of flaws. The chemicals between the components accumulated at one end of the film, meaning prints were uneven and covers in marks. After a short while Attie decided to set up a secondary camera, ensuring he would have at least a negative after each image. The whole thing proved to be a big hit in the exhibition, with people suing up for hours to get the chance to be photographed and crowds accumulating even just to observe the process. After a while Attie became stuck with the static stillness each portrait would [resent; pushing his subjects to attempt including more movement in their shot. 

People from all over came to see this work unfold; often coming to not only take part in the show but to also come and hopefully satisfy their curiosity about American life. Often asking questions about; how much they earn or how much rent was paid, about taxes, racial discrimination. With the help of the 22 America guides working in the exhibition, they managed to answer these curiosity's while also providing 22 different point of views to each question. Really helping broaden the view of what living in America was like. In Atties attempt to broaden the view of Russian citizens to Americans, he was recording the names and occupations of each of his subjects. Though soon the word of name taking reached the mayor, quickly putting it into a sinister light go Americans making lists of their citizens immediately putting a halt to this practice. Thankfully before this occurred they had already recorded a number of subjects photographing; a kindergarten teacher, a chauffeur, an asphalt layer, two cleaners, a member of the KGB, an actor, young pioneers, a geophysicist, a cook, two wedding groups, numerous men in uniform. 

The book itself contains over 70 portraits, ranging from lone portraits to groups of people. All images visibly showing the trigger used to execute the image, no names or occupations are included in for the individual images.The composition ranges from full body shots to close up face shots. the compilation of these images are really very fascinating, they provide an insight to an entire citenzenship that isn't wildly represented in a domestic way in my opinion. Each image gives a brief insight to each of the sitters personality in such a unique way, by having them take the image themselves it gives them the power to decide exactly the they want the shot to be taken. You get a small sense of who these people are, as well as an insight to the fashion that was going around at the time. Its fascinating to see how different people portray themselves in these images, some becoming quite serious in the shots whereas some become playful and visibly amused by the opportunity.