After many adventures and other censures the exhibition "Russian counterpoint" was finally able to start in this Wednesday, October 13.
The wait was intense as far as the relief of curator Marie-Laure Bernadac that between red tape and disagreements with the artists had to fight until the last minute to "counterpoint" to take place under conditions almost "normal"! But in this day strike Wednesday and demands no less political than those of artists from distant Russia ... it's a wise exposure awaiting us in the heart of the medieval Louvre ...
Yuri Leiderman
Geopoetics, 2010
In the series "Geopoetics' performance Louvre. © Yuri Leiderman
Some works, too few alas, fifteen of the most famous artists of the Russian art scene such as models and sketches and Ilya Kabakov Emilia: The "Iron Mushrooms "Igor and Elena Makarevitch Elagina representing a symbol of Russia Amanita tradition on which the tower of Tatlin paving the way for modernity "Black Night, White Snow" by Erik Bulatov, "Russia's most wanted painting" Komar and Melamid "Business Man Toy Factory" AES + F Grouple sulfur "Abstractionnism Radical Avdei of Ter-Oganian, and" The Flag of Mordor Black Square With Curls "Pavel Pepperstein ...
Ilya and Emilia Kabakov
Sketch for the dungeon, 2009
© ADAGP, Paris 2009
© ADAGP, Paris 2009
The choice of presenting well known artists and recognized "various generations and tendencies of contemporary art with Russian Conceptualism of Moscow" is a deliberate show of Russian contemporary art radically critical and politically engaged. It is a choice, why not? But in this case is it any wonder that the censorship, boycotts and demands for the Russian artist Oleg exiled Mavromatti come "scramble" the harmony of the "counterpoint"?
remember there ten days, the work of Ter-Avdei Oganian had been censored by the authorities ... The solution to reprint such works (which are multiples) was then proposed by Mr Gelman, gallery Ter-Oganian. Ter Oganian by formulating two refused to accept demands that his work can be found in the Louvre. Requirement No. 1: that censorship was lifted and sent his work to the Louvre from Moscow. Requirement No. 2: the artist Oleg Mavromatti currently exiled in Bulgaria, which we refuse to extend the passport and thus must return to Russia where he was met at the prison better (because of performance that the church has deemed disrespectful against orthodoxy), and at worst death (because it has undergone numerous threats) ...
© Ter-Oganyan Avdyei
Thanks to the perseverance of Ms. Bernadac censorship was lifted ... and the work of Ter-Oganian arrived the Louvre without difficulty. But if Mavromatti, no solution could be found to this day! Ter Oganian, aware of the difficulties of the Louvre, however, remained intransigent (see letter No. 2 Ms. Bernadac) denying that his work will be exposed as the case would Mavromatti résolu.Dans his letter he asked that Instead of his work appears a text which would explain to visitors where Mavromatti.
It should be noted that most of the artists participating in "Counterpoint" to have dealer Marat Guelman, owner of Guelman Gallery in Moscow, but also the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Permm (Russia). Note also that among the works shown, those of A. Brodsky, Komar and Melamid and Ter-Oganian belong to the Museum collection Permm, while those belonging Dubossarsky & Vinogradov, they, collection Marat Guelman Gallery In fact, the works that Ter-Oganian refuses to see in the Louvre Museum Permm belong to, which despite the contrary opinion of Ter-Oganian decided to lend the Louvre! Today, opening day while the 4 works of Ter-Oganian were indeed hung ...
Ter Ogadian interview © gilda guegamian
I glimpsed in a corner of the corridor near the exhibition hall a man speaking Russian with a restless journalist and his interpreter who tried to interview him. It was Ter-Oganian, who explained to us being here for the exhibition because he needed to explain. "My work is a political act. The presence of my work here is nonsense. As Mavromatti not receive a passport and will not be free, the presence of my work here will be a non-sens.J have written a text of eight pages to explain the situation. I would allow myself to read it! "
" You know, I understand my fellow artists, it's a dream to exhibit at the Louvre, even if it is an exhibition in a small cellar (маленький подвал) ... but it was enough that together with the Louvre to pressure us to do things to change for Mavromatti, because for him it is a matter of life or death! "
Today, the day of opening where the jet set looks champagne in hand works called" committed ", somewhere in Bulgaria, a man, Oleg Mavromatti, waiting to see whether exposure consists of works politically engaged, will engage with him and through him to defend freedom of expression. But life is not art ... and do not say!
Gilda
Guégamian
Letter No. 2, Ter-Oganyan Avdyei Marie-Laure Bernadac, curator
"Dear Marie-Laure!
Thank you for your kind words about my work and your understanding.
Our small victory of course makes me very happy. After all, the Ministry of Culture of Russia did acknowledge bringing wrongly charges of inciting religious hatred on artists and their works.
But I can not in any way I accept this symbolic victory on the ground. It is now clear that Oleg Mavromatti faces prison simply because he has shown during his performance the crucifixion of Christ. Most of my requirements is sent to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and even if this problem is not resolved, they will at least disgraced.
If there had been no problems Mavromatti I probably would not have presented an ultimatum to the Ministry of Culture and would perhaps have accepted the fact that my work is printed in Paris.
I am sorry that other artists do not support me not. But I know these people and understand them perfectly. My goal is in no way discredit them, and even less about yourself. Please understand me. I already made a public statement where I said that I refuse to participate in the exhibition without the problem of Oleg Mavromati is resolved. This statement was not spontaneous. I see no reason to refute it. My goal was and is to draw attention not only Russia but also the French public, on the very specific problem of an artist, who must necessarily be resolved now. It seems to me that the French public may have an impact not only on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also on the department in charge of refugees Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.
For my part, it is clear that the absence of my work at the exhibition will attract more public attention than his presence.
Again I ask you to please give me your support on this issue. You can support me fair, highlighting my absence, leaving the wall space where my work should have been empty with a brief comment on the reasons for my refusal.
I think a letter to the Ministry for Refugees in Bulgaria ( http://community.livejournal.com/mavro matti/3708.html), from a great institution like the Louvre, would impress the Bulgarian officials.
Again I apologize. I trust that you will not hinder my desire not to participate in the exhibition.
Sincerely, Your
Ter-Oganyan Avdyei
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