'Kvartirnik' (from kvartira in Russian which means apartment) were soviet-era acoustic concerts allowing people to gather and enjoy art, music, poetry without fearing censorship or government retribution.
While I was living in Moscow, I organized monthly art exhibitions and concerts in a diplomatic apartment. I chose themes, found artists and musicians, curated and installed the exhibitions. The concerts lasted approximately 30 minutes and the exhibitions were running for one day.
My goal was to create a community united through their love for Art. The apartment became a platform encouraging to look at art in a new way and in a friendly atmosphere. I showcased emerging Russian artists working in all media: photography, video, sculpture, painting, drawings, art objects. There were various musical performances: a classical concert (string quartet), an experimental electronic concert and a musical duo combining electronic music and classical cello.
Each event gathered around 100 people, from different backgrounds: diplomats, journalists, artists, gallerists, collectors, art patrons.
Several artworks were sold.
KVARTIRNIK #1
Theme:
“In my house, there are two doors”
Artist: Tanya Akhmetgalieva
(watercolors and videos)
Date: 21.10.2018
KVARTIRNIK #2
Theme:
"Woman"
Artists:
Julia Briere (photography)
Anna Mokhova (sculptures and video)
Anna Lysenko (video)
Svetlana Khollis (video)
Alexey Dubinsky (painting)
Musicians:
Music composed specifically for the event
David Petrosyan
Alexey Bogdanov
Date: 08.12.2018
KVARTIRNIK #3
Theme:
"Twilight"
Artist: Elena Minaeva (paintings)
Musicians:
Andrey Gurianov
Grigory Mumrikov
Date: 20.01.2019
KVARTIRNIK #4
Theme:
“Art and Technology”
Artists:
Anastasya Alekhina
Alexandr Zaitcev
Lida Zhudro
Alexandra Nesterkina
Fedora Akimova
Elizaveta Frolova
Musicians:
Mubert app by Alexey Kochetkov
Date: 24.03.2019
KVARTIRNIK #5
Exhibition in Collaboration with the
Gallery Oily Oil
Artists:
Anton Totibadze, Anka Akhalaia, Masha Yves, Olya Leontyeva, Sophia Stupenkova, Lisa Zemskova, Maria Cohen, Ksenia Parkhomenko, Lisa Borodinova, Mani Vertigo, Mikhail Devyatov, Anna Sitnikova and Fedora Akimova.
Curators:
Noémie Baumann
Katerina Polozhentseva
Musician:
Iskandeor Khannanov
Date: 13.04.2019