MOSCOW.- Cosmoscow, Russia’s only international contemporary art fair, is pleased to announce details of its 2015 programming. Highlights include the ‘Collector’s Eye’ exhibition, a charity auction to benefit the Naked Heart Foundation, a special exhibition by the Vladimir Smirnov and Konstantine Sorokin Foundation, and the educational programme by Moscow Museum of Modern Art. This year’s edition brings together such international galleries as Blain Southern (London), Javier Lopez (Madrid), Rosenfeld Porcini (London), and Barbarian (Zurich), alongside top Russian galleries Artwin, Gallery 11.12, Ru Arts, XL Gallery and more.
The popular ‘Collector’s Eye’ special exhibition returns, this year titled If I could... From an imaginary past to a certain future. Exploring what the living room of a Russian collector in the 1960s and 70s might have looked like in a world without the Iron Curtain, the exhibition borrows works from private collections to imagine what this ‘perfect’ collection might look like, if money and censorship were not issues. Mixing periods and media, it will feature stylish 1960s Russian furnishings to complement walls adorned with the best of the Avant Garde and Old Masters. If I could… also has a 21st century twist, considering the young Russian collector of today by adding the vanguard of contemporary art to the collection with works by Georg Baselitz (illustrated above), Sherrie Levine, Brent Wadden and young Russian artists, among others.
Specially commissioned exhibition Cosmoscow projects, curated by the member of Fair’s expert committee Elena Selina, will present works by young artists from Russian regions and consist of large-scale installation works by: Recycle group and ZIP group, both from Krasnodar; Ivan Gorshkov (Voronezh); and Ilya Dolgov (Voronezh, Kronstadt).
The Fair will contain a ‘Discovery’ section, featuring galleries established less than five years ago, and those which represent emerging artists. There will also be an exhibition put on by the Vladimir Smirnov and Konstantine Sorokin Foundation, held off-site in the Foundation’s studios. Founders of the Modern Arts Fund, their first project was executed within the framework of the first edition of Cosmoscow in 2010.
Vasili Tsereteli, Executive Director of the Moscow Museum of Contemporary Art, said: “We are honoured to be a partner of the educational program of Cosmoscow, which is one of the most important events in the cultural life of Moscow. The Museum will present a series of publications devoted to major international project Impossible Community (Moscow, 2011-2015), which deals with problems of communication and the various forms of social interaction. A series of lectures and discussions, prepared by project curator Victor Miziano, will be a part of the non-commercial programming of the Fair”.
Again this year the Off White auction will take place at the start of the fair, with all proceeds benefitting the Naked Heart Foundation. Featuring works donated by participating galleries and artists, the auction is also supported by Christie’s auction house. Highlights include works by Rachel Howard, Chao Lu, Alexandra Paperno and Evgeny Dedov.
Katya Vinokurova, Director of Christie’s Moscow, said: “Christie’s is pleased to lend its support to the Off White Contemporary Art Auction, having been a supporter of the charity for the past 10 years. Off White provides an excellent opportunity to acquire exciting art from up and coming artists, while helping those in need”.
Natalia Vodianova, Founder of the Naked Heart Foundation, said: “I’m so glad that once again some of the most interesting Russian and foreign artists will get together for Cosmoscow, as such events contribute to the development and promotion of contemporary art in our country. In my opinion, collecting contemporary art is a great investment, but investment in goodness is no less important, and I hope that the tradition of combining these missions within Cosmoscow will continue”.
Other partners of Cosmoscow include banking giant Credit Suisse, who have a long history of supporting the arts; Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and Artsy, the online resource for collectors and galleries.
Cosmoscow was founded by the Patron and collector Margarita Pushkina, and is co-directed with Sandra Nedvetskaia, former head of Christie’s Russia, with the specific purpose of creating an international calendar event for Russia, at a time of increased recognition of contemporary art in the country. Bringing together major Russian art world players, the fair opens current contemporary art practice to international audiences, as well as to creating more opportunities for Russian-speaking artists.
