Russian Art Scene: Between Market, Ideology, and Isolation
In a dossier on contemporary art from 2009, critic Ekaterina Degot explores the Russian art landscape, emphasizing a mix of cynicism and the intersection of wealth with art. The Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale that year showcased Alexei Kallima, Andrei Molodkin, and Pavel Pepperstein, embodying a 'black cube' style. The Kandinsky Prize exhibition in December 2008 also embraced darkness, appealing to art collectors. Young people are increasingly drawn to contemporary art, with hotspots like Vinzavod and Garage. Marat Guelman started a state-supported museum in Perm, though it suffers from inadequate infrastructure. The National Centre for Contemporary Art is planning a mega-museum. Artists contend with market challenges and political isolation, while the 2008 Kandinsky Prize awarded to Alexei Belyaev-Gintovt stirred debate. Degot observes that younger artists are exploring diverse traditions, which brings optimism.
Key facts
- Ekaterina Degot wrote the article for art press issue 360 (October 2009).
- The 3rd Moscow Biennale opened September 24 – October 25, 2009, curated by Jean-Hubert Martin with 80 artists from 25 countries.
- The 2009 Russian pavilion at Venice Biennale featured Alexei Kallima, Andrei Molodkin, and Pavel Pepperstein.
- The Kandinsky Prize exhibition in December 2008 used dark scenography with spotlights.
- Garage Center for Contemporary Art hosted an exhibition from François Pinault's collection.
- Marat Guelman initiated a state-funded contemporary art museum in Perm.
- Igor Markin opened ART.4.RU private museum in 2007.
- Stella Art Gallery transformed into a foundation in 2003 and plans a museum.
- National Centre for Contemporary Art plans a mega-museum with state funding.
- Anatoli Osmolovsky's enlarged bread slices were at Documenta and the 3rd Moscow Biennale.
- Oleg Kulik staged a mystery-opera in Paris based on Monteverdi.
- Pavel Pepperstein exhibited at the 2009 Venice Biennale.
- Igor Makarevich and Elena Elagina had a solo project at Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna in spring 2009.
- Alexei Belyaev-Gintovt won the Kandinsky Prize in 2008.
- Degot curated 'Struggle for the Flag' (2008) and 'Kudymkor – Locomotive of the Future' (2009).
- Andrei Kuzkin won the Innovation Prize for best young artist in 2008 for 'In a Circle'.
Entities
Artists
- Ekaterina Degot
- Alexei Kallima
- Andrei Molodkin
- Pavel Pepperstein
- Anatoli Osmolovsky
- Oleg Kulik
- Igor Makarevich
- Elena Elagina
- Alexei Belyaev-Gintovt
- Olga Chernysheva
- Irina Korina
- Valery Chtak
- Nikolai Oleinikov
- Ilya Budraitskis
- Evgeny Fiks
- David Riff
- Alexandra Galkina
- Andrei Kuzkin
- Ilya Kabakov
- Emilia Kabakov
- Joseph Kosuth
- Lawrence Weiner
- Jean-Hubert Martin
- Marat Guelman
- Igor Markin
- François Pinault
- Damien Hirst
- Chapman brothers
- Viktor Misiano
- Alexandre Bondarev
- Yuri Gagarin
- Vladimir Putin
Institutions
- art press
- Venice Biennale
- Russian pavilion
- Kandinsky Prize
- Vinzavod
- Garage Center for Contemporary Art
- National Centre for Contemporary Art
- ART.4.RU
- Stella Art Foundation
- Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna
- Ca' Rezzonico
- Documenta
- 3rd Moscow Biennale
- Moscow Biennale
- Art Basel
- Innovation Prize
- FRAC
- Ministry of Culture of Russia
- openspace.ru
- What Is to Be Done?
Locations
- Russia
- Moscow
- Venice
- Italy
- Perm
- Vienna
- Austria
- Paris
- France
- Czech Republic
- Czechoslovakia
- Georgia
- South Ossetia
- Crimea
- Kudymkor
Sources
- artpress —