The photographic creation of Mihai Potârniche in the context of Bessarabian visual culture

Mihai Potârniche, the protagonist of Bessarabian photographic art, can be considered an eyewitness and narrator of the most significant and important socio-political transformations in the Romanian space, which he crystallized in his creation and in the memory of the people during his life. The present article, based on an interview with the plastic articst, reveals the analisys of the creation and artistic vision of the great photographer. At the same time, several albums, newspapers and magazines, which have housed the photographs of the master M.Potârniche in the last 40 years, are researched. Mihai Potârniche was at the foundation of the national photographic school in the Republic of Moldova. He contributed significantly to the development of local visual culture, conveying and manifesting an expressive photographic style, defined by symbols, sacredness, love for his native village, for simple people, for the traditions and customs of the nation. The artist, just like a director, objectively reflected the surrounding reality and presented it accordingly during his life. Thus, we can follow real sequences that took place throughout the history of Moldova until today through the lens of the camera.