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In summer, one wants to spend as much time as possible outdoors, and if we are used to working outside the walls (whole offices of freelancers on the terraces are proof of this), then it seems that we still cannot look at art. This is a new exhibition route in Malevich Park near Moscow, where nine art objects created by Alla Urban, Alexander Konstantinov and the creative duo MishMash appeared. Let’s take a closer look at the most interesting ones on an impromptu walk with artists and curators.
The new curatorial art route “Malevich in the Forest”, implemented with the support of the Tretyakov Gallery, presents works by contemporary Russian authors: Alexander Konstantinov (1953-2019), Alla Urban and the creative duo “MishMash”. All objects are conceptually united: their authors rethought the traditions of landscape parks of the Romantic era, paying special attention to the relationship between natural landscapes, traditions of gardening art and modern public art. The curators were Ksenia Novokhatko and Irina Gorlova.
ALEXANDER KONSTANTINOV “Aqueduct”
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Irina Gorlova
“Art critic, co-curator of the “Malevich in the Forest” route
What is worth knowing about Alexander Konstantinov?
In the early 2000s, Konstantinov left the printmaking office to move into the urban space. At first he made large monumental installations with adhesive tape, which were ephemeral and short-lived. After working at the Moscow NCCA (State Center for Contemporary Art – BURO note) and at the Nizhny Novgorod Arsenal, he began to be invited to other countries, to participate in festivals and present projects in museum spaces. In 2008, the artist for the first time replaced adhesive tape with more durable materials – wood and metal. Then Konstantinov first tried to translate the already familiar stripes and lines of adhesive tape, this form, which became his calling card, for example, into wooden slats (Maxim Boxer’s country house). Then the opportunity arose to create such works in other places. At the same time, the “House of Air and Lines” was created, from which the “Aqueduct” flowed. This is a very characteristic thing. Konstantinov’s works are three-dimensional graphics, enlarged in size, acquiring gigantic proportions and turning into an architectural element. Alexander himself was passionate about the subject of landscape art. Since 2010 he has been working in parks and gardens, for example “Fili”, “Sokolniki”. There it was possible to arrange only individual elements, but Konstantinov dreamed of designing the entire park. I remember that I asked for books that tell about Russian gardens and parks of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as the book “Poetry of Gardens” by Dmitry Likhachev, which, by the way, became an important guide for the “Malevich” route “In the Forest”.
How did the object become part of the route?
The choice of the art object “Aqueduct” was made by Ksenia Novokhatko (co-curator of the route “Malevich in the forest”. – BURO note.). Alexander Konstantinov created this work in 2008 for an Austrian park. In Malevich Park, since the local landscapes and budgets did not allow to repeat the object in full size, it was decided to turn it into a bridge over the park path, a piece of rubble, a ruin. This exactly corresponds to the concept of the route – reflections on the theme of a romantic landscape park. In it, ruins are an important symbol of nature, which conquers everything and gradually captures the achievements of man. “Aqueduct” is one of the most beautiful and monumental examples of Alexander Konstantinov’s landscape creativity.
ALLA URBANA “Round Dance”
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What is the idea behind the “Round Dance” installation?
The theme goes back to ancient Russian traditions and to the traditions of the avant-garde, in particular to the Cubo-Futurist period in Malevich’s work: the works “The Woman with the Buckets”, “The Morning after a Snowstorm”. The sun, moving in a circle, seems to be conversing with the red “hot maidens”, piercing the rotating cones with its rays, touching their translucent scarlet rings running from the center, similar to the sound waves depicted on posters of the 1930s, emanating from conical horns: from this touch bright chiaroscuro patterns are born, like those drawn on the ground. At some point, the sun pauses the conversation, sometimes for a long time, but then the dialogue continues. When I saw this effect during editing, it was hard to believe in its reality. In the morning, the shadows converge towards the center, forming a scorching fire of scarlet reflections, which sometimes sway in the wind, then disperse to the sides. The circle includes two oaks and a birch tree; they also participate in the round dance. And everyone who enters the circle can not only feel the power of this dance, but also spin together, fill with joy, connect with the forces of the surrounding forest, nature, whisper the secret to the sky and, perhaps, hear the answer.
Does the color of an object matter?
Yes, the colour red plays a special role here, as it occupied an important place in ancient Russian traditions, customs and art. It was a symbol of beauty, joy, life, and in the Russian avant-garde, red embodied energy and movement. Malevich’s works, for example, often use red as a symbol of revolution.
“MISHMASH” Series of six art objects “Subtitles”
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Masha Sumnina and Mikhail Leikin, creative duo “MishMash”
Tell us about the concept of “Subtitles”: how did you choose the way to work with the natural landscape of the park?
The “subtitles” do not duplicate the reality of the park, but create illusions, fictions and memories. This is the creation of a parallel space. The viewer can simultaneously feel himself both in the forest and inside a non-existent film that he himself imagines or remembers. The trees, grass and undergrowth thus become the backdrop, giving rise to worlds of potential stories that could unfold in this landscape.
Why did you choose these particular replicas?
These are phrases that are often found in movie subtitles. We tried to choose ones that would mix probable and incredible sounds that can be heard in the park. We thought: how does manipulation work? How to be attentive? In what senses should you trust? Why do we believe in some things and not in others?
Helpful tip:
Visitors can enjoy a free audio guide, “Malevich in the Forest,” in which the exhibition curator Irina Gorlova narrates the walking tour. We recommend listening to it when you are in the park.
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