Prof. Dr. S.V. Zagraevsky
Is there no opposition? There
is an opposition!
Published in Russian: Çàãðàåâñêèé
Ñ.Â. Îïïîçèöèè íåò? Îïïîçèöèÿ
åñòü!  ñïðàâî÷íèêå «Åäèíûé õóäîæåñòâåííûé ðåéòèíã», âûï.
Attention!
The following text
was translated from the Russian original by the computer program
and has not yet been
edited.
So it can be used
only for general introduction.
1.
The first illustration: 7 December
There was a time when Art Manege, led a group of well-known Russian critics, headed
by William meylandom and Xenia Bohemia, was the main event
of the year. In 1999 the construction of the exhibition was given to "farm
out" conceptual Alexander Yakut, the result of which was Frank failure -
half-space, not from excessive conceptualization and a lack of wish to exhibit.
In 2000, the organizing Committee of
the Art Manege headed personally by the Director of
the Central exhibition hall "Manege" Stanislav Karakas and apparently found some middle. But the
"Golden"?
'll see.
The center of "fair" has taken quite a conceptual project of Vladimir
Ovcharenko, "Art at first hands". But as
you know, you cannot embrace the boundless. When in one exposition side by side
side by side classical "Sots art",
installation in the form of covered autumn foliage machine "Victory"
and a naked man, wrapped in cellophane and breathing through a straw, this
leads to the idea that here, too, tried to find the "Golden mean" in
order to satisfy any tastes. But in the end, the concept became eclectic.
However, at least try, and that's
good. But around this, let eclectic, the concept was not Art-Manege, and the usual artistic beauty. And if in the latter
case the name - salon - somehow justifies the salon and kitsch, the abundance
of similar exhibitions in the Art-Arena - a phenomenon unprecedented and very
worrying.
The salon tried to smooth over,
giving the expositions of the appearance of uniformity, but eventually
exhibition space "blinded". Plates with the names of artists and
titles of paintings have been seen through a magnifying glass, and the names of
galleries - a telescope. The most annoying that the uniform plate was broken
heterogeneous ads and biographies of artists, so that a single exhibition style
still did not work.
Fair to say that the gallery
pan-Dan", "zero", Alla Bolonskoy, Karina shanshieva,
"Harmony of contrasts" remained true to themselves, and certainly
their "corporate identity", they broke and unique "climate"
is not lost.
But we are talking about the
Art-Arena in General, and he as a whole is clearly not taken place. In one
perfume exposition principle, other furniture, and art third, and no one
administrator multidisciplinary exhibition hall may not be a specialist in all
areas simultaneously. Each case requires a focused professionals, in this case,
art, and their organizing Committee of the Art-Manege
2000 there was an acute shortage.
So far, the status of the Art Arena
as the main event of the year was hopelessly lost. What the audience is invited
to return?
2.
The second illustration: "Thy Name". This exhibition is called
an unimaginable scale and scope, which took place in the Central house of
artists on the eve of the new 2001. I mean the name of Jesus Christ, even
though the "Orthodox" art occupies a relatively small part of the
exhibition. In General, presented a "regional realism" - the widest
coverage of Russian regions (1000 artists, 3000 works), which is not surprising
- the exhibition organized by the Union of artists of Russia.
The exhibition "Grand" rooms on the second floor, which was
presented the "elite" of the Union - painters and sculptors, pleased
integrity. Perhaps the only "flaw" -lights are suspended /
removed very good picturesque works of Zurab Tsereteli behind his sculptural portrait of Joseph Brodsky,
absolutely opportunistic and far-fetched. In the end, and the painting was not
visible, and sculpture in any way to the concept of the exhibition did not fit,
though he occupied the place of honor at the entrance to the hall.
On the third floor in two-three rows in the good old principle of
"common grave" crowded graphics, poster and... muralist. When three
rows of hanging drawings and posters, it is still possible to survive. But when
the same manner hang monumental work (including Nikolai Andronov,
Natalia egorshina, Andrei Vasnetsov
and many others), turns a sad spectacle. This seems to be on the conscience of
the leaders of the relevant section of the artists Union, does not feel
"exhibit measure".
But especially it is necessary to talk about the press conference. Who
opened her head CX Russia Valentin Sidorov in quite soft and sleek form said about the
necessity of preserving the traditions of Russian realism and chided for
avant-garde art, especially in the tattooed pig, exhibited at the December Art-Manege.
But, as usual, "signal from above" was immediately accepted
for execution. What the post Sidorov said academician
Viktor Ivanov, smells the worst years of the Soviet
power. It was really scary when, in the press center of the speech was that the
new exhibition in the Tretyakov gallery (XX century)
is filled with "lzheiskusstvom"that
corrupts the youth vanguard, erects the cult of sex and violence... Yes, it was
with these words.
Is another "home"?
Unfortunately, this was proved by the exhibition itself. "Vistavkovij" officials (mostly members of the
Secretariat SH) subtly sensed the mood of the guide and do not miss the
exhibition of any (!) work, directly or indirectly, reminiscent of something
abstract, and the more conceptual. In the end, the exhibition filled endless
pine Shishkin and weak urban landscapes. Sculpture is
represented better, but it carefully "watered down".
Dear Victor Ivanovich Ivanov!
And did You consider the consequences of Your fiery speech? Of course, Your own
business - to consider "lzheiskusstvom"
Krasnopevtseva, Zlotnikov, Plavinsky, Zvereva, Weisberg, and
all the state Tretyakov gallery exhibition "the
twentieth century". Yes, and You blame sin on realism - You have achieved
a lot, Your work is unique and recognizable. But legally I put young artists so
rigid? Look at the dominance of stamps in the works of thirty-forty years of
the "realists"! Look at the dull gray tones! Look at all the efforts
to write "as in life"!
Russia's power is not realism, avant-garde or any other particular
style. Russia's strength is in her Art, but it holds and Repin,
and Malevich, and Surikov, and Kandinsky. Yes, the
art of speculation should be harmless, and unfortunate pig tattooed on the
Art-Arena - the same case. But it is one thing to fight the extremes, and the
other indiscriminately to declare "lzheiskusstvom"
everything except that "ordered the party. We are, as the saying went.
Maybe that will be enough?
3.
The third illustration: in February, in the hall on Kuznetsky
most, 11, Moscow Union of artists (USDA) held an exhibition "Moscow &
Muscovites" ("and" it was written this way, American style).
We already know - if the show holds MA, expect hundreds of participants,
expect thousands of works, hanged without any system. Such events are among the
artists have long been called "mass graves", and nothing new to it.
But...
It's an exhibition, it is good! No, in no case does not - even such a
trifle as the writing on the plates of the initials instead of names,
completely "blind" to the viewer. It would seem that it is to write a
memorable "Alexander Sitnikov" instead of
faceless-office "Sitnikov A.G.", but no!
How many Union of artists for this fight, and still to no avail...
But good work, primarily painting section. "Primitive socialist
realism" represented only one or two works - hundreds! And in the vast
majority - strong paintings, written in a completely modern style - and
abstract and the figurative, and expressionist, and realistic... the graphics
Section presents weaker, but this criticism is not artists, and "vystavkoma".
At the exhibition you can see how in recent years has increased the
so-called "average" of the Moscow art. Of course, the art of the
concept of "average" is hardly applicable, but the "Moscow
school of painting" may serve as a model for the Russian regions. Dozens
of artists European level - will agree, there's something to be!
It is a pity that the exhibition is no such emphasis was not placed. All
generations, all styles, all directions hung mixed. Experienced eye could see
that the "celebrities" are gathered together: Michael Konchalovsky and Mikhail Ivanov,
Mikhail Matorin, Ivan Sorokin, Alexander Sitnikov, and Olga Bulgakova, Zurab Tsereteli, Tair Salakhov... But there was no
overall system or the more biographies of artists. About excursions even funny
to say. Directory was not and is not intended.
And, of course, horrible condition of the hall at the Kuznetsk, 11, hurt
the eyes. Worn parquet - really have no money for USDA barrel of varnish? Do
not burn half of fluorescent lamps - really have no money for USDA new? Damp
stains on the walls - really have no money for USDA bucket of water-based
paint? The list of what there is no money at the Ministry of agriculture,
annually receives more than a million dollars for the leased premises
(including on the same Kuznetsk, 11), you can continue for a long time, but
this is a question not to the organizers of the exhibition, and by the head of
the Ministry of agriculture Vasily Bubnov.
And the exhibition "Moscow and Muscovites" deserved to hang in
a neat place and to have good information support. But, unfortunately, was not
able...
4.
The fourth illustration: in the beginning of March on Prechistenka, 19, opened mnogotysyachemetrovye
new halls of the Russian Academy of arts (RAA). The old rooms were Prechistenka, 21, and these are close, in the building
formerly owned by the military authorities.
Let us say at once: the honor and praise to the
current President of ARTS Zurab Tsereteli,
it is a huge three-story building not only took away from the military, but also
resulted in an ideal order. Renovation, cleanliness, security, beauty... whose
money is all done - no matter (stating that the "personal savings" Zurab, but let this doubt, knowing his close relations with
Moscow authorities). It is important that in Moscow there is a new huge
exhibition area and not another restaurant or showroom.
But once we move from the area of common cultural area
arts and education, honor and praise Zurab Tsereteli end. So far, no more warm words to an exhibition
space has not yet deserve. Yes, it was the room in which randomly hung and
arranged several thousand items, directly or indirectly attributable to the
works of art.
Already a huge room on the first floor makes the
impression that I want to leave immediately, without avoiding dozens of others.
It's hard to describe, but still try.
Volume huge room (height in all three floors)
architecture designed in the style of constructivism. On the walls of the
middle column (in the style of Le Corbusier) hang sketches and sketches for
murals of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, although under the leadership of
Mr. Tsereteli, but in style, of course, Konstantin
ton. And below are the projects of modern
Now imagine what it looks like this room as a whole,
when the thin drawing architects loom large, photorealistic dirty feet of the
Apostle Matthew, and head over to the Evangelist glass dome crosses aluminum
fittings.
Okay, let's go through the halls on. The Suite of
casts from the storerooms of Pushkin, of course, could play an educational
role, whether the exhibits are arranged as in the same GMII - for ages, by
category, by country. But when several rooms just crammed casts - the question
arises as to why so many of them. And when immediately after the last replica
of a sudden opens exhibition of fashionable clothes, have little shocked at
first and then becomes simply ridiculous.
And deep in the fashionable rooms and admiring the
artistic revelations famous fashion designer Vyacheslav
Zaitsev (the background for his dresses is it the
same graphics), exclaim disaster when the boots will stitch pie pyrogenic... However, on March 7 Vyacheslav
Zaitsev became corresponding member of the Academy of
arts. Let's hope that's still not behind schedule, and for achievements in the
field of decorative and applied art.
More or less logical that two large rooms next given theatrical artists. Levental,
Kurilko-Ryumin, Messerer
and Tyshler... But why such different level and style
of artists chose to unite under the label of "theatricality" is
unclear. That such a disadvantaged background (in terms of brightness and colour makes a brilliant sculptures Leonid Berlin - at
least not clear. And what next to
Second floor strongly resembles an open one and a half
years ago, the
However, in the Museum
on Petrovka almost no
However, there have Prechistenka and radical
difference from the Peter and Paul. In recent bad before
vanguard - Krasnopevtsev, Plavinsky, Sveshnikov, Brodsky... And at Prechistenka almost all of the rooms available to academics.
And so it happened that the place of the "vanguard" took three huge
halls, covered and decorated with works of the President PAX Tsereteli.
Well, let's do not respect Zurab spectators. But why
he does not respect himself as an artist? Why would he let a hanging his very
good paintings "carpet" - in three rows up to the ceiling, with no
gaps between the paintings? Does he not understand that on this background,
from which dazzled, its already perenapravlenie
sculptures look bronze jungle? Model Balzac for
Fair to say that the living room
"cool" of exposition is perfect. Natural Animals, overgrown
and Salah-a respected, would try their work badly hang! With sculptors the same
situation - the influential academics Kerbel and nut put the "how",
but Alla Pologova - not a lady, will bear the balance in chessboard order with
sculptures of Victor Dumanian.
However, had to "move" and Obrosova, and
Salakhova and Zverkovu - in the same prestigious hall hang pictures... Edward Drobitsky. However, not the
opposite of "supermetal", but rather late (and because of unrequited)
Nikolai Andronov.
However, negative feelings about all these (and many
not mentioned) gross exposure mistakes disappear on the third floor. No, not
because there is a good hanging. Because just as eclectic
hung work... Shilov and Glazunov. It should be
figured out - Shilov hang interspersed with Glazunov! And that was at all
funny, "dilute" several provincial artists. Perceived
subtle sense of humor.
But the experts will laugh, but what the audience for
which this Museum is? That they will "put" out of this exposition?
What will you see?
And if anything, then why are the organizers?
It is known that in the exposition of the important
not the quantity of work. It is important to their quality. More
importantly, the quality of the exposition as a whole, especially if we are
talking about a large-scale exhibition projects.
But we must not forget the impression produced by
exposure to non-professional audience. If he went out into the street after
seeing something considering something "spread out on the shelves means,
labor organizers was not in vain. And it needs to "sort" was expanded
exhibition itself to it in any way the inspection there was a clear logic,
time, art line. In the end, it is impossible to imagine thousands of paintings
and sculptural works without the characteristics of the era, against which
created a particular piece!
And yet the result of exposures, such Prechistenka,
19, with disastrous mess in my head for the visitors and their grim conclusion:
no, this art is not for me...
5.
Illustration fifth: March 16, almost immediately after
the opening of new halls at Prechistenka, started regular art salon
"CHA-2001". These salons are held from year to year, and the word
"beauty" says that his task primarily commercial. So to say, fair.
But fair is fair strife. This - CHA-2001 - "the
percentage of" strong work was obviously higher than usual. That there
are, for example, two halls, given the organizers Anatolia Slepysheva - it was
possible to see the work and the eighties and nineties, and the most
"fresh". In fact, he held a solo exhibition. Quality
was hanging on a fine level - this Central house of artists, thank God,
are professionals.
Did not fit in
"fair" and conceptual stands several provincial galleries. They came to
But the main event of the interior in 2001 passed
quietly, and few knew what it was - the most important thing. The fact that the
salon was attended "the Creative Union of artists of
Nothing would be special, if not a speech at the
opening of the salon Edward Drobitsky, svezheprinyatogo (7 March 2001, together
with Alexander Shilov and Ilya Glazunov) as an active member of the
And the essence of the speech was limited to what Drobitsky
no longer dissident. Not the opposition. No alternative Orthodox sovereign
official organ, active propagation of the
Well, let's not criticize academician Drobitsky,
because he still thinks in categories twenty years ago, when the opposition
("anti-Soviet") could be provided in particular the work of specific
artists and against them by the KGB could have taken concrete action.
The situation today turned into a very different
plane, though less tragically died.
6.
What is going on around these five pictures - the
so-called "big events"? What happens where there is regular daily
work - artists paint pictures, viewers look at them,
gallery owners sell them? Where there is no sound
solemn speeches and orchestras? Where not appear gray-haired doctor of art, and
not talk excitedly about what we have wonderful artists and gallery owners
progressive, and what the audience thoughtful? Where not talking about
multimillion Euro-repair - on canvas would earn, and
hunger would not die?
The August 1998 crisis had almost
forgotten, but the wounds they still bleed. However, claims for full membership
of
And what now? Sale of paintings or sculptures
more hundred to two hundred dollars - the event, and thousands more - something
staggering. Even "celebrities" hard, but
what "ordinary" artists?
With the crisis collapsed, and hope
to the Western level of art materials. Expensive...
From imported acrylic paints and canvases smooth artists turned again to the
"native"
To rent an apartment,
and most live in the Studio? That is what many of the lucky ones who have a
garage - coveted "gift" of the
The state order in the Soviet time
was the hope for many artists. But today he is (at least at the level of
Cruelly, but ugly
"concepts" of Russian business era Millennium - just.
By the same "concepts" art
is reduced to the level of a huge supermarket: sold - well, not sold poorly. That
took the "free market" cheap painting scenery, portraits and Nudes,
made for the needs of solvent to the public.
However, low cost in terms of art
does not necessarily mean low cost in terms of value. And example of this is
the highest achievement of the "market", national artist of the
The beauty in the
concept of the Shilov mean total black-and lovingly traced the folds on
the front clothes. The art, of course, nothing that has not, and about any
"phenomenon Shilov" we are not talking. The word
"phenomenon" implies something unique, but in an interview with the
magazine "Ogonek" art Maria chegodaeva reasonably noticed that in
every era has its own arts.
But by the same "merchant"
standards on the background of this luxury real art looks modest. So to say, "no commercial". How to get money for a
carved gilded frame?
The question arises: do we need a
genuine work of art gilt frame? Shilov and Tsereteli respond "Yes",
and on the background of their mighty bass lost weak tehnorock critics, trying
to talk about the true artistic value of works of art, the authors of which for
one reason or another cannot afford gilded frames.
And when a handsome Duo Tsereteli
and Shilov pour jingoist arias Glazunov, a layman it seems that we have on the
art market, everything is fine. Everything seems to be there, everything is
balanced!
Yes, everyone knows that we have and
the poor artists. And who pretends to be fighting for their rights? Whoever
talks about this more all - Chairman of the
Surely, if the Russian economy is
destined to impoverished third world, our art by the efforts of masters
Tsereteli, Glazunov, Bubnova, Shilov and the like would face a similar fate?
7.
This must be fought. Every decent person knows that
the great Russian art should not be in the role of
public servant-Orthodox officialdom. But to understand a little, we must act.
And what former dissident Eduard Drobitsky refused the
role of the opposition and began to cooperate with the "powers that
be" serious error on his part. Use more harsh words will not.
Artists in fact, thank God, not crucified and did not castigate. Yes and
assigned Drobitsky rank of the full member of the
Marat Guelman on the role of spiritual opposition
rejected a year ago, going to work closely with the failed
It is a pity that Marat Aleksandrovich, being near the
"trough" Kiriyenko, instantly forgot that his back was allowed only
because of his past activities in the art world. In the end, the artistic world
actually lost his extraordinary personality, able to deal with officialdom, not
only in words but in deeds. The last year or two, we see only a shadow Gelman,
and it really hurt. However, everyone chooses his own way.
In civilized countries an alternative to the official
art and kitsch independent art critic. But Russian art critics, most of the
media space on their pages, and the more air time does
not. Many critics of the highest level acts as the
"critics", only when they are asked to form a display, write
laudatory introductory article to the directory or to speak at the opening day.
All this for art criticism has only an indirect relationship.
It may seem that spiritual opposition to the state
officialdom Tsereteli, Orthodox black hundred Glazunov and candy salon Shilov
today in
8.
But in fact, the opposition is.
The first confirmation of this is the activity of
Naturally, the presence of a truly independent art
organization raises many "power and money" considerable irritation. But
all possible impact in this area is clearly shown in Art. 5 of the Law on trade
unions, and in articles 29 and 30 marked the responsibility guilty of impeding
the lawful activities of a trade Union. Until the criminal.
Therefore, the
The second confirmation
- the activity of the Rating Centre of the
Created a spiritual alternative tseretelievskie
arts Academy - the Academy of art critics, led by Anatoly Kantor, honoured art worker of Russia, one of the largest Russian
art. Goals and tasks of the Academy are detailed in the Charter, which is a
document that is open to the public, and in this article, it makes sense to
select the main strategic goal: to fight for itself the right of criticism
to exist.
Yes, exactly: the struggle for existence. Recently I
heard one phrase, doubly terrible because it was uttered by the administrator
of the
That's how many commercial galleries currently
estimated art! Write not for Art, but for "us" - and save (and from
the point of view of the merchant money saved is money earned) 25 rubles!
Of course, not in the "
But now, critics, professional ethics which does not
allow write "for someone"together in a
truly independent Academy of art criticism. This is especially true for those
who live not in Moscow or St. Petersburg, and then turned after the collapse of
the Soviet Union outside Russia.
And if the Academy will be able to prove the artistic
world that genuine art is not dead and not sell - then the art will be heard
and the audience. While the authorities somehow, but still have to take into
account the opinion of the potential electorate.
And only then the merchant "make us
beautiful" will give way to genuine art. Only then will it be easier for
real artists.
And it is worth fighting for. And we will fight.
It is a pity that the situation today was such that we
have to fight for such a seemingly obvious things. It is doubly unfortunate
that the struggle for such obvious things puts us in a position of opposition.
But what to do if the "power and money" forget that the future of
Russia - for the Spirit, not the speculators?
© Sergey Zagraevsky