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Article
“Aliaksandr Pushkin” by Mikhas Barazna, art historian
– Why are you dealing with this Pushkin? He is
not a contemporary artist. He doesn’t have an idea what the modern art
is.
– Go to hell…
A great army of popular philosophers,
who are far away from temporary political elite, often evaluate every-day
state of things through bulky metaphorical concepts. “Farmers’” review
exactly fits today’s situation.
There is an opinion that the art is something, which is created by famous
artists. Pushkin’s activities are something more than a traditional piece
of art, but I can not consider the artist as a pure performer. Although,
according to the Lenin’s “understanding of authenticity” of the art, which
should be popular and be connected to the life deep in its root, we have
a master here, who is very close to people. But despite the developed
tasks of the proletarian art, I still do not see any performance or happening
in many of the artist’s activities. Probably the local art practice topology
is also late here, and journalists use old cliches. They have other problems.
But it is possible to enumerate the real works of the artist for a long
time, because there is easel painting, social art, monumental Christian
wall-paintings, graphics, stage set for “King Lear” and a number of deep
art performances.
One can not regard a person with such a portfolio and formed world-outlook
as a hooligan. But this is what today’s Belarusan journalism practices.
It’s representatives liked the word performance, which was used by Pushkin
himself. Today any scandal could be regarded as traditional form of art,
but the real art will not be seen by “keyboard guys”, as well as by their
soviet teachers. One of the common journalists once entitled his small
article “Performanced..” as if Aliaksandr’s profession is every-day entertaining
of cameramen. The circus is not situated here.
Many people will still try to distance from the artist, because his activities
and painting do fit the infinite gratitude to sponsor, alien fashion.
And no one will provide the artist with an exhibition hall, some virtual
position or a trip for his work. But there are many who could be a pain
in the neck.
Fragment of an interview
with the artist in 1996
– What is your aim in the art?
– My aim in the art… What aim can it be in nightingale’s singing, beauty
of a flower, nature? I don’t know the answer to this question. Probably
like this: when I create my pictures – I’m happy and satisfied with myself
and the life. The best situation for me is when I’m alone and paint for
myself. So, I live for this. I understand of course that I have to find
myself in the great world of professional art, which is more than 4 thousand
years old. So, my aim is to be needed, loved and respected in this serious
world.
– Whom do you regard as your teachers?
– My teachers are: spiritual – Leonardo, Dali, Wermeier and Andrei Rublev;
practical – Piotr Sharypa in College, Paval Semchanka, Aleh Hadyka and
Hauryil Vashchanka in the Academy.
– On what stage of development is the Belarusan art now?
– On a very high one, when it is compared to itself (during the whole
history of Belarusan art). However, when compared to today’s world process,
which is leading the art of XX ct. to a kind of finish, it is lagging
behind a little. It is probably good, because the art traditions are not
destroyed; the traditions, which existed not only during the centuries
(wall-painting, fresco painting, icon painting, ceramics), but also today
(graphics, realistic still life, portrait, landscape). It is bad we do
not have: a structural market, art history branching and the demand for
art because of the poorness of the country.
– Can an artist as person change the way the art develops?
– Of course. But not upside down.
– Is it realistic that wide art movement appears in Belarus?
– Yes. But now this movement is too weak.
– What is the role of academic art education in Belarus?
– Unfortunately, not really serious, especially in Vitsebsk, because there
is no academic education at all.
– What branch in the art is yours?
– Interior decoration in Christian erections, performances, easel painting,
stage setting, costumes, posters..
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Other
parts:
paintings
wall-paintings
performances
to the gallery
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