`Day in the Life' projects set for Russia and Spain

In a historic first, 50 foreign photographers are going to beturned loose in the Soviet Union for yet another in the "A Day in theLife of" photo books. This project, unthinkable in the past becauseof the Soviets' traditional distrust of foreigners, especiallyforeigners with cameras, will take place on May 15. And making theproject even more improbable, a week earlier, Rick Smolan and DavidCohen, the guiding geniuses behind the series, will have their crewin Spain for still another book.

Smolan and Cohen successfully brought out "Day in the Life"books on Australia, Canada, Japan and Hawaii before their latest U.S.triumph, which hit the top of the best-seller list for awhile andstill is in the top 10. For Spain and Russia, Smolan and Cohen havecut back their list of photographers to 100, a more manageable numberthan the 200 who worked on A Day in the Life of America.

Twenty-five Spanish photographers, plus another 75 from aroundthe world, will be invited to work on the book on Spain. After thatproject is finished, some 50 of these will travel to Russia to bejoined by 50 Soviet photographers for A Day in the Life of Russia.

Perhaps the main reason this unprecedented permission tophotograph their country was given by Soviet officials is the factthat this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Russian Revolution,and the current administration apparently is attempting to improvethe U.S.S.R.'s image. However, it will be interesting to see justhow much freedom the photographers actually enjoy, especially if theword doesn't get down to minor officials.

Even if the photographers are limited, this project shouldresult in fascinating glimpses of Soviet cultures many people don'teven know exist in the 20th century.

EXHIBITS: Photojournalist Joan E. Biren will bring her touringmulti-image slide show "Out of Bounds: A Lesbian Journey" to Chicagofor one scheduled appearance on Sunday. The benefit for ChicagoHouse will be at 3 p.m. at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, 3212 N.Broadway. Tickets will cost $8 at the door. Chicago House is anot-for-profit agency that operates two residences and providessocial services for women and men with AIDS.

CLUB NOTES: The Fort Dearborn Camera club will sponsor its 50thcourse in photo studies, starting April 21. There will be sixTuesday evening lectures and four weekend workshops. Cost is $65.

For information, phone 922-0770. Brochures and applications areavailable at some camera stores.