Art-Moskva 2001: Western Turn in Russian Contemporary Art
From April 24-29, 2001, the fifth Art-Moskva was held at the Maison centrale des artistes in Moscow, featuring 25 galleries—22 from Russia, 2 from Germany, and 1 from Austria—spanning 5,000 square meters. A panel consisting of Elena Selina, Aidan Salachova, and Marat Guelman dismissed certain artistic trends. The non-commercial segment, curated by Misiano, Bakchtein, Dyogot, and Andrei Erofeev, emphasized shared issues among Russian and European creators, with "Pro-Westernism" taking precedence over earlier identity discussions. Since its inception in 1996, the fair has operated with minimal backing, striving to develop a contemporary art market. Attendance surged, leading to sold-out catalogs and artist books, with works tackling topics like Chechnya and sodomy in large formats. Erofeev remarked that the fair displayed the least impressive works of the top artists.
Key facts
- Fifth edition of Art-Moskva held April 24-29, 2001 at Maison centrale des artistes, Moscow.
- 25 galleries selected: 22 Russian, 2 German, 1 Austrian.
- Jury: Elena Selina, Aidan Salachova, Marat Guelman.
- Non-commercial exhibitions curated by Misiano, Bakchtein, Dyogot, Andrei Erofeev.
- Pro-Westernism dominated over identity discourses.
- Fair started in 1996 without financial support or collectors.
- Organizer: Expo-park, director Vassili Bitchkov.
- Pierre Brochet praised as first collector of 1980s underground art.
- Red dots simulated sales.
- Works by Vladimir Doubossarsky, Oleg Kulik, AES group.
Entities
Artists
- Elena Selina
- Aidan Salachova
- Marat Guelman
- Misiano
- Bakchtein
- Dyogot
- Andrei Erofeev
- Vassili Bitchkov
- Pierre Brochet
- Hans Knoll
- Vladimir Doubossarsky
- Oleg Kulik
- AES group
Institutions
- Art-Moskva
- Maison centrale des artistes
- Expo-park
- Art-MIF
Locations
- Moscow
- Russia
- Berlin
- Germany
- Vienna
- Austria
Sources
- artpress —