Gallery puts a rush on Russian artists
Published: 12 Nov. 2008, 21:05
“Swing” (2008), a painting by Ivan Plusch. Provided by the organizer
Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the gradual breakdown of communism, Russian art has been blossoming, experts say.
Its potential is evident in the work of up and coming Russian contemporary artists and the interest of collectors like Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who owns Chelsea Football Club in England.
Last May, Abramovich bought English artist Francis Bacon’s “Triptych” for $86 million at Sotheby’s in New York.
The billionaire isn’t the only one into the arts.
“The time has come,” said Suh Jin-suk, the director of Alternative Space Loop near Hongik University in northern Seoul. The gallery is currently displaying Russian paintings and installations. “Russia has entered a golden age of cultural arts.”
The gallery invited six Russian artists - media art group Bluesoup, Irina Korina, Sergei Shekhovtsov, Ivan Plusch, Vlad Kulkov and Semion Faibisovich to the exhibition called “The Next Russian Art.”
Most of the exhibitors are based in Moscow.
“In the late 20th century, Russian art was melancholy, a reflection of the social depression that followed the Soviet Union’s collapse,” the director said.
The growth in artistic diversity, however, was initiated by former Russian President and now Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The new government’s privatization policies allowed artists to expand their horizons and visions.
The works displayed at Alternative Space Loop reflect both the past, present and future of Russian culture, history and ideas.
For example, Shekhovtsov uses polyurethane, a type of rubber mixed with acrylic, to symbolize industrialism in his installation “ATM.”
Bluesoup uses Photoshop to reproduce a digitalized form of Russian rustic landscapes.
The exhibition runs until Nov. 28 at the Alternative Space Loop.
The nearest subway is Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 4.
For information, call (02) 3141-1377 or visit www.galleryloop.com.
By Lee Eun-joo Staff Reporter [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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