Zelfira Tregulova, General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery, gives a tour of the exhibition to Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali and Acting CEO of Qatar Museums, Ahmad Musa Al Namla and other dignitaries.
A rich and diverse collection of works by pioneers and descendants of Russian avant-garde art is on show at the Fire Station marking the conclusion of the highly successful Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture.
Organized in collaboration with world-renowned State Tretyakov Gallery, the exhibition, which officially opened yesterday night, features 81 works by 24 of the most influential and significant figures in the history of Russian art.
Divided into eight sections, the exhibition offers art connoisseurs and enthusiasts inspiring journey into two waves of Russian art – one representing works by pioneering artists of 1910s to 1920s and the other by ‘underground’ artists of mid-20th century or the direct descendants. Their works are placed side by side resulting to an interesting juxtaposition which every art enthusiast will surely enjoy observing their connections.
The works are radical art innovations that dare to challenge conventional ideas and styles during those periods. While the pioneers were inspired by revolutionary changes and rapid scientific advances at the beginning of the 20th century, the postwar generation artists explored groundbreaking technologies, focusing their works mainly on movement, light and sound as fundamental elements of art, all of which can be seen in the exhibition.
One of the remarkable pieces on display is a 1919 installation by Vladimir Tatlin in the form of a model of a tower resembling a huge functioning machine with structures designed to rotate at a specific time.
“The Russian avant-garde is a fascinating study in the break from traditional materials and techniques, inspired by societal development at the time. Even more interesting is the comparison we are able to make between the art of the pioneers and their descendants. It is so exciting for me personally to be able to explore this juxtaposition and bring it to new audiences in Qatar and the Arab world,” said Head of the Contemporary Art Department at the State Tretyakov Gallery Irina Gorlova.
Reem Al Thani, Director of Exhibitions at Qatar Museums, said: “By bringing such internationally significant exhibitions to Qatar, we hope to always provide audiences with access to world-class works and spark creativity for a young generation of artists in Qatar and the region. This is a show that will capture the imagination of our emerging artists and interest those who are moved by parallels and connections between people across time, generations and cultures.”
The “Russian Avant-garde: Pioneers and Direct Descendants” exhibition is open to the public until February 3 at the Garage Gallery of the Fire Station.
