Author: Nata Yanchur, artist, curator, writer on contemporary art, co-founder of the CucumberMag
The ability of art to create a unique opportunity for dialogue between people, ideas, and cultures is an undeniable fact. Furthermore, some recent exhibitions demonstrate how such projects evolve into environments where viewers are actively engaged in meaningful dialogue with art. Their main goal is to unite the artistic vision with the audience’s perception. By that, they create a profound emotional and intellectual experience. Each installation detail plays a significant role in this process.
The Curatorial Vision of Klavdiya Kuvshinova
Klavdiya Kuvshinova is an emerging but already very promising curator. Her professional work spans institutions such as the Alina Pinsky Gallery and Multimedia Art Museum (MAMM) and major international art fairs. In addition to organizing exhibitions, Kuvshinova also engages in art consulting, helping collectors find works of high cultural and investment value. Her approach to each project underscores how art becomes a tool for dialogue, bringing together people, ideas, and cultures.
Focus on Emerging and Contemporary Artists
In her public speeches, Kuvshinova highlights that working with young and emerging artists is an important work for contemporary art professionals. For example, Egor Koryagin’s solo show, which she is working on, explores the theme of self-identity and mythological thinking in today’s reality. In his works, Koryagin creates a diary where he conveys personal experiences and observations of the surrounding world. Each piece immerses the viewer in a subtle and intimate narrative of self-discovery.
Watercolours by Egor Koryagin
Svetlana Levadnaja’s upcoming exhibition, also curated by Kuvshinova, aims to present her ceramics as fully-fledged art objects rather than merely decorative interior elements. The exhibit’s core will consist of large, almost living forms—“lily vases.” Levadnaja’s white ceramics remind us of ancient sculpture. However, their unique plasticity creates the sensation of moving organisms, bridging classical art with modern design.
Ceramics by Svetlana Levadnaja
Integrating Art into a Global Context
Efforts to integrate art into the global context are reflected in international art fairs like Cosmoscow, Contemporary Istanbul, and many other events in the field. The Moscow Art Prize is one of such projects. It is held at the Media Center in Zaryadye Park. The nominee exhibition brings together diverse works into a cohesive narrative that highlights their thematic connections. The complex nature of this outstanding cultural event requires unique abilities from those who curate, coordinate, and organise an exhibition like that.
Retrospective Projects and Artistic Studios
A standout project is Igor Shelkovsky’s large-scale retrospective “Heavenly City. The Artist’s Studio”. This exhibition is currently on view at MAMM. For this project, Klavdiya Kuvshinova reconstructed the artist’s studio. This idea has been an international trend for at least five years. E.g. Cindy Sherman’s solo show at the National Portrait Gallery (London) in 2019 also had such a segment. However, Kuvshinova’s approach is slightly different. It was crucially important for the curator to replicate every element of the artist’s studio to produce a Gesamtkunstwerk space demonstrating the working atmosphere of a living classic of Russian contemporary art.
The reconstruction of Igor Shelkovsky’s studio at the retrospective “Heavenly City. The Artist’s Studio” is currently on view at MAMM.
