Art in dialogue: a collection of paintings by the University artists at St Petersburg University
St Petersburg University has presented an illustrated catalogue "St Petersburg University artists of 20th and 21st centuries." The book is prepared by the St Petersburg University Publishing House to mark the results of an exhibition of paintings by artists who combined scientific activity with artistic self-expression. The event is also set to mark the 300th anniversary of the University.
The collection features the works by 42 talented artists who studied at St Petersburg University at different times and have made a significant contribution to the development of Russian art. The release of the collection is an important event not only for the Diaghilev Museum of Contemporary Art, but also for the cultural life of St Petersburg.
"In previous years, books were mostly about artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, famous figures of art at the University who made a significant contribution in literature, cinema, and performing art. This catalogue for the first time features all the University artists," said Ekaterina Stanyukovich-Denisova. She also mentioned the influence of the interdisciplinary approach in education on the development of artistic culture.
The publication is designed in a postmodernist style and includes works by both classics and contemporary artists, including iconic figures of the early 20th century: Nicholas Roerich, Yury Annenkov and Ivan Bilibin, and masters of book illustration and theatre design Mstislav Dobuzhinsky and Alexander Benois. The catalogue also presents examples of nonconformist art of the Soviet period, works by Oleg Liagatchev, Valentin Gerasimenko, Vadim Voinov and proto-conceptualist Valerii Cherkasov.
The catalogue is compelling evidence of the richness and diversity of artistic trends that have been developed at St Petersburg University, said Andrei Khlobystin, an artist and art historian, a St Petersburg University graduate, and an author of the publication. "The book is perfect because we tried to overcome one of the main problems of Russian art, i.e. rivalry between different trends, groups and individual artists, which sometimes acquire the character of political labels," said the art historian.
The catalogue also includes personal stories of the artists, stories about how they travelled their creative path, their initial ideas and search for inspiration behind the creation of works of art. According to Andrei Khlobystin, the publication is not only a means of presenting artistic works, but also a way of preserving cultural heritage, which is of great importance for future generations.
Some of the authors whose works are included in the publication are familiar to students as teachers of various disciplines, including Valerii Savchuk, Professor in Philosophy; Sergei Shvemberger, a graphic artist; Ivan Chechot, an art historian; and Gleb Ershov, an art historian.
The catalogue reflects the diversity of professions, knowledge and lifestyles. This proves the importance of creating dialogue and cooperation in the times of change, when it is necessary to form new communities and spaces for communication: be it just conversations, creative teams, living corners, salons or associations based on sincere and informal interest.
Andrei Khlobystin, an artist and art critic, a graduate of St Petersburg University, a co-author of the publication "St Petersburg University artists of the 20th and 21st centuries"
"The catalogue is very much up-to-date, especially in the modern context," said Andrei Khlobystin, one of the authors of the book "St Petersburg University artists of the 20th and 21st centuries," adding that the catalogue is a reflection of these feelings and aspirations.
The collection of illustrations is supplemented by archival photographs, portraits and self-portraits reflecting the image of the artists, their quotes about alma mater and interviews in which they talked about their student years at the University. The visual content is represented by works from both the museum collections of St Petersburg University and private collections in the city.
According to the Head of the Diaghilev Museum of Contemporary Art at St Petersburg University, the publication is becoming significant for the modern cultural context and attracts the attention of not only professionals, but also a wide audience. "As the Head of the Diaghilev Museum of Contemporary Art, I strive to more frequently present the works of the University artists in our exhibitions. It is essential that the museum presents at least one work by each of these artists, covering various historical periods and stages of their work. The activity of the museum is an activity that is aimed at the individual. This will enable future generations not only to preserve, but also to appreciate our era. We hope that you will help us with this," said Ekaterina Stanyukovich-Denisova.