Freedom of the absurd
Olivie
The exhibition Freedom of the Absurd examines contemporary representations of melancholy. The artists' works created over the past three years reflect the uncertainty of the present moment and show the search for ways to overcome it. The authors of the works find freedom in recreating their fears, returning to a child’s perception of the world, philosophical and mythological reflections, finding support in themselves and others, and observing the inevitable.
The works presented at the exhibition are divided into six categories: childhood, fairy tales, philosophy, anxiety, apocalypse, protection. They are represented by abstract symbols. The ways to read the exhibition intersect and become entangled, enhancing the sense of absurdity - the visitor is free to choose a route.
The absurdity of reality defies rational explanation. The creators of the exhibition are trying to preserve a reality that has to be recreated again and again with each new social or personal upheaval. Destruction entails anxiety, as well as fear of the present and the future: “We cannot guarantee that we will not experience fear, we will only try to maintain prudence” (Albert Camus). All that remains is to experience the first emotions and, overcoming the unknown, move on.
Anastasia Shabashova, curator: “The exhibition “Freedom of the Absurd” is a safe space for exploring your own feelings. Works of recent years comprehend the changing reality and provide many ways to accept it. Rationality is apparently unattainable, but there is no need to be afraid of the unknown. TsTI Factory proves by its own existence that changes are not scary and there is a future.”
An educational program has been prepared for the exhibition.
Curators of the exhibition:
Anastasia Shabashova is a curator and researcher. She studies contemporary art at the HSE School of Design and creates permanent and interdisciplinary projects. In his works he explores the social sphere through sensations, speech and memory. Interested in participation, street art and public art, site-specificity, art activism. Curator of projects at the Tretyakov Gallery, CCI Fabrika, Arkhangelskoye Museum-Reserve, RGBM.
Roman Mironov is the curator. Student at the HSE School of Design, Contemporary Art. In exhibition projects he touches on themes of existence, myth-making and distortion. Supervised projects at the Arkhangelskoye Museum-Reserve, RGBM.
Artists: Evgenia Baygalieva, Sabina Baysarova, Karina Batrachenko, Evgenia Bolyukh, Laim Vorobyov, Agata Gafarova, Alina Gombats, Ksenia Efimova, Pavel Zudanov, Alisa Kolevatykh, Vlad Lunin, Maria Makedonova, Margo Manzhulova, Valeria Mitryashkina, Veronika Molchanova, Sasha Nesterkina, Dasha Oryshak, Alexandra Persheeva, Vika Ros, Alena Sahakyan, Erika Savina, Veronika Solovyova, Katerina Teplitsa, Alena Filippova.
Valeria Mitryashkina “While the flame burns”, 2022