Art project “Automobile and Contemporary Art” launched at VDNKh

The unusual exhibition brings together photographs, canvases by talented Russian automotive artists on the automotive theme in various styles, unexpected collages and engravings, auto and motorcycle works of famous airbrushes, phantasmagoric electronic music and multimedia visuals. On the wall of the hall there is a large screen showing examples of foreign creativity.

Everything presented at the new exhibition is united by creative ideas born under the impression of machines, and everything here is connected by a single theme of contemporary art: “We wanted to create a place where, in these difficult times, people could truly relax their souls,” says art curator -project Ilya Sorokin, who has vast experience in holding automobile exhibitions.

What inspired the masters when creating creative masterpieces? One of the artists, a former race car driver, auto expert, master of sports and champion of the USSR in 1980, Mikhail Gorbachev said that he depicts cars on canvas using oil paints, adding abstract lines, spots and smudges. So a series of his works was born, which the author called “It was – it became.”

The organizer of the exhibition, Ilya Sorokin, noted: “When the idea arose, it turned out that my good friend Mikhail Gorbachev paints paintings that are suitable in style. Then the works of other authors appeared, and some of the exhibits presented here can be attributed to abstract art, non-standard, shocking. And everything came together, united into a concept: there are paintings that depict cars, and cars that resemble paintings. Then it even turned out that there is a familiar composer, Mikhail’s son, Philip Gorbachev, who writes automotive, a little psychedelic music. Then I realized that several different arts and trends are combined here, and this should be interesting for the audience.

At the exhibition you can see illustrative works dedicated to classic and sports cars from a professional car designer and artist Peter Pereshivailov. Master Alexander Bukin, through his paintings, tells about the history of motoring in Russia, the triumph of Russian racers at international competitions of the early twentieth century. His paintings are made in the technique of ink graphics with elements of watercolor, in the style of old engravings and old advertising brochures, and by other masters – artists Inessa Savelyeva (she created drawings on motorcycle helmets symbolizing ancient and modern cultures) and Elena Kovylina, Alexander Ishutin and Pyotr Bystrov – airbrushing, oil paints, watercolors, ink graphics, even wire and sanding paper were used to create the picture.

I would especially like to note the work of the artist Ilnur Mansurov, the founder of automotive airbrushing in Russia, the guru of his art, who has been painting since 1997, he has a huge number of spectacular works in his portfolio. In addition to experiments with cars, Ilnur is successfully engaged in large orders in the field of street art.

Ilya Sorokin noted that usually conservative vintage cars are presented at exhibitions, the appearance of which should correspond to the historical one. Visitors see vehicles as they were produced from the assembly line, and liberties like airbrushing were not allowed before. However, when such exhibits attracted attention, the idea of ​​a new exhibition format began to emerge, which would show the continuity and connection of the past and the present. Auto-retro was not without: here is the 21st Volga, and a classic motorcycle, and a Mini Cooper stylized as a retro prototype, and modern BMWs. Ilya Sorokin is convinced that contemporary art does not have to be scandalous and provocative. The curator of the exhibition calls modern everything that exists with us at the same time and that the artists depict now. And in many ways, their modern view is based on the historical one, which they managed to comprehend, transform and adapt to today’s values.

In the new exposition, the organizers sought to combine several types of art in one space. They created a whole range of optical illusions and living three-dimensional images that change the perception of the shape of a fast car. The most important aspect is the reaction of the public, its response and positive emotions: such events are a wonderful, positive occasion to relax with the whole family and enjoy art. For this purpose, a space was created, the exhibits of which will appeal to both adults and children, because the halls of the GON Museum have temporarily turned into a bright and inspiring creative laboratory.

Mikhail Kovalyov.

Author’s photo