Photo exhibition: tass opens archives. “Main shots. tass opens photo archives" Photo exhibition in the arena

// Text and photos provided by the exhibition organizer //

In 2015–2016, the Russian news agency TASS, together with VTB Bank, implemented a large-scale project to digitize and systematize the unique historical archive of TASS photographs. Over two years, specialists digitized, scanned and systematized over 850 thousand images of the 20th century. All work was carried out directly on the premises of the TASS photo service, which ensured maximum safety of the originals. The photographs were uploaded to the TASS photo service data bank and are now available not only to professionals, but also to the general public. Most of the photographs presented in the archive have not been previously published.

For the exhibition “Main Shots” in the Manege Central Exhibition Hall, about a thousand photographs reflecting the significant events of the 20th century were selected from the digitized TASS archive. The exhibition imitates the directories of a photo archive, structured by content. The works are presented in twenty thematic sections, including the history of the formation of industry, the Great Patriotic War, the conquest of the Arctic and space, fashion and style, art and culture, and sports victories. The exhibition makes extensive use of multimedia technologies, allowing viewers to feel a living connection with the past. For example, using the “sound shower” technology, you can hear the voices of TASS Photo Chronicle veterans telling the stories of specific photographs.

Sergey Mikhailov, General Director of TASS:
“The agency’s photo archive is a biography of an entire country, including all stages of its development, an invaluable evidence of historical events. Today in society there is a growing interest in our past, a desire to understand how the country lived and what inspired people to great achievements of which we are all proud. And photography is the most honest and impartial document that can clearly convey the spirit of the era. The rich exhibition experience of TASS allowed us to prepare an unprecedented art project, giving the viewer the opportunity to establish a living connection with the amazing past and feel like part of a great history. We will show something that no one has seen before.”

Nina Gomiashvili, exhibition curator:
“The agency has hundreds of bright, recognizable shots that are regularly published and that are known not only in Russia, but throughout the world. But I didn't want to repeat myself. I wanted to show the works of little-known photographers, in which the history of the country also lives. Therefore, “Main Shots” is more about people than about photographic images.”

A public program is dedicated to the exhibition: guided tours, discussions, etc.

Find more information at

Unique photographs from the TASS photo archive, the largest in the post-Soviet space, will be shown to the general public for the first time this fall. From November 1 to 24, the Central Manege will host an exhibition of photographs, “Main Shots,” which covers almost a century.

Last year, TASS completed a large-scale project to digitize its historical photo archive. Over the course of two years, specialists processed, attributed and systematized over 850 thousand images that appeared between the early 20s and the late 80s of the 20th century. At the “Main Shots” exhibition, these photographs, most of which have never been published, will be available to everyone.

For the exhibition, about a thousand photographs reflecting significant events of the 20th century were selected from the digitized TASS archive. The photographs will tell the story of the development of the vast expanses of the country, in which a special page belongs to the conquest of the Arctic, will show important moments of the Great Patriotic War, will tell about sports victories and cultural achievements, and the development of international cooperation. Whole series of photographs are dedicated to the formation of domestic industry and agriculture, the great construction projects of the century. Viewers will be able to see the country's first steps into space and trace the impressive path that Soviet science has taken. In addition, the TASS photo chronicle will show how the appearance of the capital has changed over almost a century, introduce unique photos that show the origins of Soviet fashion, and also present little-known footage of religious life in the USSR. In total, the exhibition includes twenty thematic sections with the works of legendary TASS photographers.

The curator of the exhibition “Main Personnel” was Nina Gomiashvili, the founder of one of the first Moscow specialized photo galleries “Victory”, where recognized masters of world photography are exhibited. Nina Gomiashvili’s experience, knowledge and taste are highly appreciated by the professional community: exhibitions she curated were successfully held not only in Russia, but also in the USA, France, and Switzerland.

Multimedia technologies are widely used in the design of the exhibition, which will allow viewers to immerse themselves in the historical atmosphere of archival photographs.

As part of the TASS cultural and educational project “Main Personnel,” there will be screenings of documentaries, discussions about the past and future of photojournalism, as well as master classes from leading industry experts.

A detailed program of events is available in the special project on the TASS website.

Admission to the exhibition and all events is free.

Opening hours: from 11.00 to 23.00, cash desk hours from 10.30 to 22.00

Opening hours: from 11.00 to 23.00, cash desk hours from 10.30 to 22.00

Unique photographs from the TASS photo archive, the largest in the post-Soviet space, will be shown to the general public for the first time this fall. From November 1 to 24, the Central Manege will host an exhibition of photographs, “Main Shots,” which covers almost a century.

Last year, TASS completed a large-scale project to digitize its historical photo archive. Over the course of two years, specialists processed, attributed and systematized over 850 thousand images that appeared between the early 20s and the late 80s of the 20th century. At the “Main Shots” exhibition, these photographs, most of which have never been published, will be available to everyone.

For the exhibition, about a thousand photographs reflecting significant events of the 20th century were selected from the digitized TASS archive. The photographs will tell the story of the development of the vast expanses of the country, in which a special page belongs to the conquest of the Arctic, will show important moments of the Great Patriotic War, will tell about sports victories and cultural achievements, and the development of international cooperation. Whole series of photographs are dedicated to the formation of domestic industry and agriculture, the great construction projects of the century. Viewers will be able to see the country's first steps into space and trace the impressive path that Soviet science has taken. In addition, the TASS photo chronicle will show how the appearance of the capital has changed over almost a century, introduce unique photos that show the origins of Soviet fashion, and also present little-known footage of religious life in the USSR. In total, the exhibition includes twenty thematic sections with the works of legendary TASS photographers.

The curator of the exhibition “Main Personnel” was Nina Gomiashvili, the founder of one of the first Moscow specialized photo galleries “Victory”, where recognized masters of world photography are exhibited. Nina Gomiashvili’s experience, knowledge and taste are highly appreciated by the professional community: exhibitions she curated were successfully held not only in Russia, but also in the USA, France, and Switzerland.

Multimedia technologies are widely used in the design of the exhibition, which will allow viewers to immerse themselves in the historical atmosphere of archival photographs.

As part of the TASS cultural and educational project “Main Personnel,” there will be screenings of documentaries, discussions about the past and future of photojournalism, as well as master classes from leading industry experts.

Over the course of two years, the staff of the news agency did a colossal amount of work: they digitized 860 thousand photographs that no one had seen before. Immediately upon entering the exhibition, you find yourself in a tunnel made of the very boxes in which the negatives were stored. Of course, it is impossible to imagine all the richness of this archive. Therefore, TASS decided to place in each semblance of a window from its building the main themes reflecting the era of film photography (starting from the 20-30s of the twentieth century and ending with the 80-90s). Not only this design is interesting, but also the names of the topics: the last letter TASS is the beginning of the next word (for example, TASSPORT, TASSTREMLENIE, TASSTYLE).

The exhibition itself is very diverse. Several stands are presented with the equipment on which TASS worked 50 years ago. These include teletypewriters, phototeletypes, and equipment used to digitize photographs.

The large-scale project is educational in nature. Therefore, you will see several timelines telling about the history of TASS, main events, and directors. There is also a unique opportunity to look at agency artifacts: newspaper clippings, an old sign and much more.

The creators of the exhibition, thanks to modern technologies, have revived the paintings of the past. With the help of the TASSimniki mobile application, everyone can see color or moving portraits and landscapes.

A comfortable seating area where you can watch a film, communicate with professional photographers, and have the opportunity to look at unique photo albums live - all this is the TASS exhibition in Manege. The last day is November 24th. Hurry up to visit!