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If you ask any foreigner what is remarkable about Russia, then in 90% of cases the answer will be: “Ballet”. In addition to the famous Russian school of choreography, our country is also famous for talented artists, musicians, actors and other cultural figures. We offer you to get acquainted with specific masterpieces that marked a new milestone in the history of Russian art.
The most fashionable directions of painting
In the 90s, the term “contemporary art” began to be used in Russia. It includes contemporary yet innovative art, such as new techniques, ideas, or the use of new materials and techniques.
In addition to the conceptual line, academic painting is also relevant, which, for example, is supported by the Russian Academy of Arts. The main values of such works are sincerity, naivety and spirituality. For example, the works of Natalia Nesterova demonstrate instructive stories and depth of thought. Also excellent examples are the colorful and expressive works of Olga Bulgakova, the carefully crafted paintings by Dmitry Ikonnikov, or the religious and mystical images of Anatoly Mosiychuk.
Some ideas of postmodernism are supported by the conceptual direction in painting. In essence, artists question all values and destroy canons. One of the first “rushing about”, Oleg Lang, moved away from the ideas of integrity on canvases to motley disharmony. So, for example, Konstantin Khudyakov breaks stereotypes, changing the usual painting to digital. Among modern popular artists, one can also single out Alexei Dubinsky, who combines expression and abstraction with new meanings and a non-standard approach to portraiture.
Since 1994, artists Vladimir Dubossarsky and Alexander Vinogradov have been working in a duet, developing alternative painting. Choosing classic plots and characters, they bring the situation to the point of absurdity and place them in the most unusual setting. There are many young creators. For example, outstanding works are created by Ivan Gorshkov, Jan Ginzburg, Sveta Shuvaeva, who became the artist of the year according to the Cosmoscow art fair in 2016, and many others.
From manual labor to innovation
Since 2000, there has been a growing interest in the use of technology and digital space in art. More and more artists start experimenting with installations, combining techniques and materials.
For example, the creative association AES+F (Tatiana Arzamasova, Lev Evzovich, Evgeny Svyatsky and Vladimir Fridkes), working at the intersection of different disciplines. Behind him are dozens of exhibitions in Russia and around the world, performances and various virtual art objects. They skillfully combine their skills and talent with artificial reality and the possibilities of digital technologies.
Another creators in the genre of installations are the creative duet and married couple Ilya and Emilia Kabakov. The conceptuality of their work does not hold. They work in the genre of total installations, that is, they create space to the smallest detail, conveying an imaginary or once real atmosphere.
Many young talents work in the genre of installations and sculptures, for example, Evgeny Antufiev. RECYCLE GROUP also deals with art objects and multimedia – their exhibition could be seen at the Multimedia Art Museum in Moscow.
Music, graphics and video as part of the performance
Contemporary artists are experimenting by combining all means of communication: music, light, colors and visual arts. Nikolai Naumov, the creator of sculptural symphonism, can be called the main adept of audio performance. Technobiological works of art are created by Elena and Dmitry Kavarga, Vladimir Smirnov and many others.
Can the creations of popular Russian DJs, musicians and composers be called art? The question remains open, but one cannot deny their significant contribution to the culture and history of the country. This also applies to the genre of video performance – not a movie in the classical sense, but an action.
For example, the famous actress Polina Kanis works in the genre of video performance. In 2011, she won the Kandinsky Prize in the Young Artist nomination.
Performances are often combined not only with video, music, but also with installations. So, for example, the artist, shareholder Olga Kroitor works. Her actions and performances perfectly set off the interior work and printed graphics of her own authorship.
New urban sculptures and paintings
Russia is rich in talented sculptors, and with a special look and novelty. For example, the creative duet of Andrei Blokhin and Georgy Kuznetsov is inspired by ancient and religious motifs, but interprets everything in a special manner with an innovative approach.
Dmitry Aske is one of the most famous street wave creators. He actively creates murals, sculptures and multi-layered paintings. Their main feature is the mosaic. It looks original and effectively emphasizes the style of a big city. Urban perfectly complements both street art, for example, performed by Pokras Lampas, and the provocative works of Timofey Rad.
Another well-known sculptor who also deals with costumes and scenography is Roman Ermakov. His art objects are more like fantastic ships, and for a reason – they are based on serious mathematical calculations, geometry and physics. Andrey Lyublinsky also creates unusual art objects, skillfully mixing design, objects, humor and references to pixel art.
Still on pointe
There are legends about Russian choreography. This is a huge value and part of our culture – both traditional folk dances and ballet. However, modern ballet has new directions. If earlier artists were given strict limits and canons, now more attention is paid to the study of themselves and their own bodies, as well as freedom and experiments with space and expression of feelings.
So, a huge contribution to the development of dance was made by the prima ballerina Diana Vishneva, the founder of the Context festival, where popular and emerging artists exchange experience and improve. Alexander Pepelyaev is also known all over the world: more than 20 years ago he created the Kinetic group and was at the origins of the Contemporary Dance Center (TSEKH), where you can now learn the basics of contemporary choreography.
A huge contribution to the development of dance is made by such choreographers as Vladimir Varnava, Pavel Glukhov and Olga Pona. By the way, completely new names are also appearing: Andrey Kaidanovsky has already staged works on the stages of two of the largest theaters in Moscow, for example, in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater.
Academicism merges with the stage, new forms and expression appear, as, for example, in the work of Sergei Polunin, who returned the viewer to the art of dance and movement. Modern choreography is about revealing the individuality of the artist and, to a lesser extent, a clear algorithm and strict rules.
Art changes and moves, like everything else in our world. It reflects new ideals and values, society and economic conditions. However, the most pleasant thing is that everyone can touch art, both as a spectator and starting the path of a creator.