APTART's First Apartment Exhibition in Moscow, 1982

Afterall's Exhibition Histories series takes a fresh look at APTART, which was a revolutionary set of unofficial art shows held in Moscow apartments from 1982 to 1984. The first event, called the 'Autumn Show,' took place in the apartment of Nikita Alekseev, the central spot for these exhibitions. Among the highlights was the Mukhomor group's innovative mixed-media piece 'Roman' (Novel, 1982), which turned a refrigerator into a storytelling medium. The duo SZ, comprising Victor Skersis and Vadim Zakharov, displayed works from their Produktsiia series and the hanging 'Headbutts.' Natalia Abalakova and Anatoly Zhigalov's TOTART featured 'A Chair is Not for You, A Chair is for Everyone' (1982). Various Mukhomor works, including 'Husband Went on a Business Trip' (c.1982), adorned the apartment's back wall. Outdoor displays, dubbed 'APTART en plein air,' showcased Manuel Alcayde's 'Palma Rusa' (1983) and a painting on translucent plastic amidst trees. The piece also includes archival images and installation views from Margarita and Victor Tupitsyn, George Kiesewalter, and Vadim Zakharov.