Lie if you can: what to see at the Art Russia Fair

The largest Russian contemporary art fair Art Russia (Art Russia) She opened her doors. The sixth edition will be held from April 3-6 in Gostiny Dvor. The event brought together more than 200 galleries and artists, including foreign ones. In particular, the public will see the works of Iranian masters. The guests of the VIP opening were the first to explore the range, among whom were art market experts, collectors, stars of domestic show business and Izvestia correspondents.

What to see at the Art Russia – 2025 fair

Art Russia is the first large—scale event in the field of contemporary art this year. The sixth edition of the fair brought together more than 200 galleries and artists. Cultural diplomacy became the leitmotif. At the entrance to the exhibition space, visitors are greeted first by a sculpture by Chinese artist Huang Yulong — a man in a hoodie with a void under it. Perhaps, in this way, he raises the question of the lack of individuality in the era of globalization or says that it is not necessary to look at faces, the guide explains.

The Persian Section is located a little further away. It brought together several dozen Iranian artists. Among the works are paintings, graphics and mixed techniques representing the diversity of the country's artistic language.

— This year, for the first time, visitors will be able to see the pavilions of contemporary art of friendly countries, such as, for example, Persia. This is a comprehensive introduction to Iranian art. This year we also have an international lounge for ambassadors, many of whom plan to attend the fair. This is great, because perhaps in the future it will increase the number of contemporary art pavilions from other countries," said Elizaveta Frolova, co—founder of the fair and art critic.

The headliner is Reza Derakshani, whose works are included in the collections of the world's largest museums. They are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the British Museum (London), and the State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg). The most expensive work of the artist is considered to be an untitled painting, which in 2016 was sold at auction at Christie's for $ 221 thousand. The artist turns to mythology. The main characters of his works presented at the fair in Russia are horses, which are treated with special respect in Iran. The work is not cheap — from 10 million rubles.

Next door is a horse made of natural material, almost life-size, by the Russian artist Igor Rogovsky. The master creates sculptures from the raw root of a tree. Therefore, the material itself dictates which shape will turn out.

Nearby is the stand of Anastasia Ermakova, who presented a series based on the results of an expedition to the Himalayas. She's been there six times in three years. The paintings are inspired by the mystery of Tsam in Zanskar. A few hours after the opening, four out of ten of her works had already been purchased.

— This is a sacred act when monks in masks of terrible demons perform a ritual dance. It seemed very familiar to me, because you can find something like this in all cultures. I love finding this connection because, despite our different nationalities, we are all about some kind of common cultural code," the author shared with Izvestia.

The St. Petersburg-based Bad Gallery, which is participating in the fair for the second time, has relied not only on the authors, but also on the concept of the stand. I divided it into light and dark sides.

— We want to show that both of them are beautiful, each in its own way. We are presenting the concept for the first time. There is a very educated and demanding audience here, and we realized that it's not enough just to show some art. Here we need to build a dialogue with the audience," Ekaterina Edelkina, a representative of the gallery, explained to Izvestia.

Modern art is also a conversation about different techniques. Among the participants of Art of Russia there are representatives of street art, as well as photography. The works of the artist Vlad Loktev, which are made using ambrotypes, seem curious. The footage seems to capture not just the human body, but the movement of the soul.

The theme of nostalgia is also reflected in the work of artists. Dmitry Khlebnikov, an artist from Perm, inspired by the era of the nineties and noughties, creates mini-replicas of old entrances. Here is an elevator wall covered in obscene graffiti and with burnt-out floor buttons, at the sight of which suddenly there is some warmth from childhood, next to the St. Petersburg front door, behind several doors of which there are mini—posters of "Terminator" and "Brother".

— I grew up in such places, I remember it all, I saw it with my own eyes. Even today, you can find such entrances. Some work with secrets, they can be opened. This is a collective image. I've been making such objects for about three years," Dmitry told Izvestia.

The artist Anna Nemchinova turns to symbols from the past in her project "Lord of the Outskirts". The artwork features familiar panels, ubiquitous pigeons, and hoodies with recognizable three stripes.

Artist Vladislav Aksenov suggests looking through the "Windows" (the title of the series), on which white plasticized things hang, in fact, to take a fresh look at everyday life, to reflect on the nature of human connections.

One of the stands is dedicated to the Academic art fair, which will open in September. This is a new project of the organizers of Art of Russia. It will be implemented with the support of the Russian Academy of Arts.

The grand opening of the Art Russia Fair

On the evening of April 3, the VIP opening of the fair took place in Gostiny Dvor, where art market experts, collectors, the secular public and the stars of the domestic show business became the guests. Timati and Philip Kirkorov were the very first to arrive, even before the official start, and they were able to study the works in the pavilions that were still free of spectators. The latter has made several acquisitions.

— I have been a collector of Russian contemporary art since recently, I have been interested in it for two years, but what I see is world—class, — he shared his impressions.

As soon as the artist showed reporters a T-shirt created by Ilya Spich, 20-year-old artist with Down syndrome Anna Kalinina attracted his attention. He acquired two of her works.

Among the guests of the evening were fashion expert Vladislav Lisovets, members of the Fabrika group, singer Mitya Fomin.

— Eyes are running away, there is a completely diverse genre of creativity, there really is something to see, something to be inspired by, something to learn. You even see something in your space. For now, I'm just walking around, as they say, like a gawker. But I'm a grateful onlooker," Mitya Fomin joked in an interview with Izvestia.

It was a surprise to meet fashion designer Yulia Yanina on the sidelines of the fair. Her work is now mostly concentrated in France. At the beginning of the year, the couturier presented a collection as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week. She came to Russia to present her cruise collection.

— I'm more inclined to painting, of course, and photography always attracts me. I met my beloved, adored photographer Vlad Loktev. I always admire his work! I really love his talent. I met many artists who were new to me. Somewhere there is an attempt to be like someone from Europe. But there are very positive galleries. One of my favorites is the Dmitrenko brothers. There's so much life in their work! Now people need to be given joy," Yulia Yanina told Izvestia.

Despite the external simplicity of the subjects of the Dmitrenko brothers' works, they hide a deep subtext.

— Here, for example, is a girl in a museum in front of a huge sculpture. This is reverence for world art. But there's also the issue of growing up. It is very correct and accurate to talk about difficult things. She turns into a woman. Tomorrow, these clouds, behind which the child does not see what is not worth it today, will dissipate. I really want children to come to this understanding through museums," Andrey Dmitrenko shared with Izvestia.

Art Russia will be open to the general public until April 6. In addition to the fair, the program includes an art forum with lectures by industry experts, discussions and workshops for children.