Flohmarkt
Berlin -St. Petersburg
Lilia
Voronkova
The
window into a city’s soul. Berlin and Petersburg
through the prism of flea markets
Public
spaces are the site of public culture, “they are
window into a city’s soul” (Sharon Zukin).
The flea market is a very special public space. Much more
than just a market, it is a part of the city scene, a
social spot where residents watch others, meet, and interact.
It is a social and cultural phenomenon that gives us a
glimpse into the life of a society.
This
exhibition resulted from two sociological investigation
projects of flea markets in St.-Petersburg and Berlin.
It represents people, objects and spaces found at the
“Flohmarkt am Mauerpark” in Berlin and the
“Udelnyi Flea Market” in St.-Petersburg. Similar
size plots from two flea markets have been chosen for
the comparison; however beyond this surface similarity,
the images reveal deep distinctions existing in the lives
and character of the two cities. The photographs show
people and places that are similar but different, serious
but entertaining, “poor, but sexy”.
The
metaphor and shape of the “window” was not
accidental, rather it reinforces the exhibition’s
focus on the observer and the observed, on the inside
and the outside. A window provides an opportunity to look
out of the premises – to see what is outside; the
spaces presented in the photographs are out(sider)-spaces
of the cities. Conversely, a window also provides a view
into a closed space. The city itself could be considered
as a “home” for the people who inhabit it,
a space that encloses and protects them. In this second
interpretation, the window metaphor, paired with the photographs,
allows the observer to peer into the lives of the city
dwellers. Such a voyeuristic position, looking into the
windows on a private life of others, is the professional
“point of view” for social scientists.
At
the exhibition the visitors are offered to take both positions,
to exist on both sides of the window. The viewer sees
the images of the outside life, looking into the souls
of the cities. Through the comparison, however it is our
hope that the viewer comes to see the familiar with the
eye of an outsider, learning something about their own
culture through the comparison of similar phenomena in
very different locations.
more
information about Lilia Voronkova 
Flohmarkt
Berlin -St. Petersburg
The
window into a city’s soul. Berlin and Petersburg
through the prism of flea markets
Photos
by Lilia Voronkova.
Vernissage:
saturday, 3rd of November 2007
19:00
presentation of the exhibition by the sociologist and
photographer Lilia
Voronkova.
19:30
concert with the Blus - Guitar Player "Sorik"
- who was invited to Berlin from the russian-mongolian
border (East Siberia) - playing his own compositions
20:30
russian party and food
opening
hours of the exhibition
03/11/07
- 30/11/07
Monday
16:00 - 21:00
Friday 19:00 - 22:00
Sunday 17:00 - 21:00
Big
Finissage of the exhibition with Nachtflohmarkt,
friday 3rd of November 2007
from 19:00, with Crepes, hot chocolate, tea with jam and
Glühwein
INTRANSITos
Boddinstrasse
6 Berlin 12053
U7 Rathaus Neukölln.
The
exhibition will open saturday the 3rd of November in the
framework of the art and culture festival nachtundnebel.
