This exhibition features the work of photographer José Manuel Ballester, who documents the architectural spaces and hidden collections of the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg. Through his lens, the exhibition examines the shifting power structures and historical narratives that have influenced the museum's display over the last two centuries.
José Manuel Ballester: Ausentes investigates the sequence of political and cultural powers that have shaped the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg throughout history. By capturing the architectural splendor of the Mikhailovsky Palace, designed by Carlo Rossi in the early 19th century, Ballester explores the contrast between the building's original role as a royal residence and its later transformation into a museum. His work highlights the transition from the absolute power symbolized by opulent palace decor to the perceived neutrality of modern exhibition spaces.
Furthermore, the exhibition sheds light on the often-hidden facets of the museum's identity, specifically its storage facilities. Ballester captures the complex mix of religious icons, neoclassical sculptures, Soviet propaganda posters, and avant-garde masterpieces by artists such as Rodchenko, Popova, and Malevich that remain unseen by the general public. Through these images, the exhibition reflects on how historical narratives are constructed, manipulated, and layered over time, presenting history as an invention that changes to suit the needs of each political era.