World of ideas

Gosha Ostretsov, Daria Krotova, Sergey Pakhomov, Oleg Kotelnikov, Dmitry Kavka, Olga Bozhko, Roman Savchenko, Kristina Yatkovskaya, Natalia Struchkova, Lyudmila Konstantinova, Peter Bystrov

Winzavod Art Centre, entrance 22

31.05 - 18.07.2023

On May 31, a—s—t—r—a gallery opens a group exhibition "World of Ideas", which presents the work of 11 artists: Gosha Ostretsov, Oleg Kotelnikov, Dasha Krotova, Sergey Pakhomov, Dmitry Kavka, Olga Bozhko, Roman Savchenko, Kristina Yatkovskaya, Natalia Struchkova, Lyudmila Konstantinova, Peter Bystrov. All of the authors are members of VGLAZ, an independent community founded by artist Gosha Ostretsov in 2008, uniting about 20 members.

A complex narrative, bright visual images, the use of unconventional mediums, and the conceptual understanding of the exhibition space are the main features of "Vglaze" art practice. The artists of "Vglaz" took part in the Moscow Biennale, held cinema marathons, and exhibited at a separate booth at the Art Moscow Fair. The association's exhibitions have been held not only in Moscow but also in European cities such as Maastricht and Geneva. Works by "Vglaz" artists are in the collection of British collector Charles Saatchi, which he purchased in the early 2000s to build his collection of Russian art. In 2010 the members of the Vglaz self-organization created their own journal of the same name. The new edition was positioned as an alternative to the text-dominated Art Magazine, and became a phenomenon of note on the Moscow art scene.

Project "World of Ideas" marks an important date for the gallery: May 31st marks exactly one year since a—s—t—r—a took up permanent space at Winzavod Center for Contemporary Art.                   

"Some collectors have the opinion that the artists of this circle continue the traditions of punk culture (visual provocation), which is hard to disagree with. The uniqueness of the association is that it includes and works with artists of three generations: 80s, 90s, 00s. At the exhibition, the viewers will see the actual works of the timeless collective"

Gosha Ostretsov, artist, curator of the "World of Ideas" exhibition
 

"The Feast of the Artist's Spirit. Dialogues."

Text by Gosha Ostretsov

Artist: Tell me, should an artist have doubts?

Spirit: Absolutely. Everyone doubts his talent, his genius. To stay on the chosen path, you have to choose teachers and companions, people that you yourself consider to be geniuses. Finding such people will yield results.

Artist: How many like-minded people does an artist need to feel part of a community whose energy will be enough to create a direction, to say a new word in art?

Spirit: An artist should not limit his circle. On the contrary, he should be fueled by the genius of his environment. The more geniuses an artist attracts to his fellow artists, the richer their influence on each other will be.

Artist: What qualities do all members of the community need?

Spirit: The main quality is the ability to see another's talent, to believe in their genius.

Artist: Do all members of the community have to be equal in talent, or does someone have to be the leader?

Spirit: There is no need to appoint leaders. Someone from the community will always be more proactive and take over the organization of the group. Each participant moves in their own direction, the overall direction emerges through process or history.

Artist: Today I have gathered at an exhibition of contemporary Russian art geniuses. Each of them implements a different idea with its own sacred meaning. Let's see if a common idea emerges and gives energy
to the general direction.

Spirit: We'll see.