David Attie (1920–1982) was an American photographer known for his participatory portraiture and conceptual approach to image-making. His most notable work, 'Russian Self-Portraits' (1976/1977), was created during a cultural exchange in Kiev, USSR. In this project, Attie invited Soviet citizens to create their own studio portraits using mirrors and cable releases, relinquishing the traditional role of the photographer as the sole author of the image. His work is characterized by an interest in how photography can mediate identity, self-awareness, and social exchange, particularly during the Cold War era. He often explored the tension between private feeling and public appearance through staged studio environments.[1]
