The success of the debut is proven by the fact that almost all the works exhibited at the fair were sold. The total amount received from the sale was 570,000 rubles. Among the buyers were both private collectors and Russian celebrities. For example, two works by the artist Anya Enot were purchased by the famous singer, permanent soloist of the group "Zveri" Roma Bilyk.
Yakutia was represented in this project by six artists: Dunya Zakharova, Ksenia Kudrina, Anya Enot, Selena Shestakova, Nadezhda Komissarova, and Ian Sur. The curator of the stand was the director of HSE ART GALLERY Yulia Yusma. The organization of the space was entrusted to Irina Bugaeva, a specialist of the Sinet Spark project department.
"Together with the curator Yulia Yusma, we have selected the works that we will present at the fair. Since it was our debut, we occupied one of the largest stands with an area of 60 square meters," says Irina Bugaeva. "We discussed all the details with the producers of the blazar fair. When you first work on organizing such an event, there are always incredible jitters inside. It seems that everyone around you is a super cool professional. But everything turned out to be much simpler — there is always a slight "creative mess" in the art world. We made it thanks to everyone's support."
Yakut artists presented 23 works at the stand. Ksenia Kudrina presented a series of 18 paintings. In addition, some of the pieces were exhibited on the website, so that in total the girls presented 46 works at the fair.
In their artwork, the artists raise environmental issues, climate change, and also talk about their inner experiences.
Graphic artist Nadezhda Komissarova presented her canvas "Orto Doidu" (Middle World) - an engraving-print, which is a scroll unfolded to the full length. Nadezhda’s textile works are filled with Yakut motifs and preserve the tradition of drawing and carving of Yakuts.
"The event was held at the highest level. Eminent collectors and gallery owners have learned about the Yakut art, and I think it's great! Thanks to the AyarKut Foundation, we exhibited our works at the Blazar Young Art Fair. Our stand was well regarded, according to the reviews of visitors and guests of the fair, the stand was one of the best at the fair. From the very first day they started buying our works, this is a great success." Nadezhda shared her impressions.
The artist Yen Sur exhibited six works: "Iye", "Olokhtookh", a series of three works "Rains" and "On this day ...". In her works, the artist uses paper made from recycled cash receipts, plastic bottles, acrylic, cotton threads, and even human hair.
"I was happy that I was at such a large-scale blazar fair. Now I want to go only forward and not doubt my uniqueness. It's such a peculiar experience to get to know people, including yourself. You talk about art without a break, about your unique vision of life and creativity, and it all gives an incredible boost of energy! The visitors said that our stand was giving off positive energy." Yen Sur said.
Selena Shestakova's works are like bright flashes of memory about her childhood and the summer spent in the Yakut village. Motifs of Yakut graphics are skillfully woven into the bright spots of forests and fields. At the fair, the girl presented seven works: five on the stand and two on the website.
"A lot of visitors' attention was focused on our stand. They were interested in what we put into our work. I had the warmest impressions from the fair, participating in such a cool event is a whole event on its own!" Selena said. She added that all the Yakut artists bonded in such a short time - four days.
Artist Ksenia Kudrina presented her "pandemic diary". She creates her works based on geographical maps, morbidity charts, and other forms of visual statistics. Ksenia watched the fair remotely - from Lensk.
"I followed the fair from Lensk, and I liked all the participants. I think we represented our republic well. Our curator Yulia Yusma arranged the works very competently, everything was very harmonious. I met many artists for the first time, and I liked the content of the participants. We have a young team, and this pleases us because the artists are bursting with ideas, they have great creative potential. Participation in the fair is a tremendous experience, and it's great that the girls were able to take part in it. This is very important for artists because their works need to be sold. I believe in Yakut artists and I want people to know about them because they have very great potential." Ksenia shared.
Anya Enot presented her works in the technique of painting and ceramics at the fair. She was very pleased with the organization of the fair and thanked the AyarKut Foundation for the Support of Contemporary Art of Yakutia for the given opportunity.
The Blazar Young Contemporary Art Fair is the beginning of a long journey, says Nyurguyana Efremova, project manager of Sinet Spark. The AyarKut Foundation has an ambitious task to develop Yakut art and bring it to the Russian and international levels.
"We had very busy days from September 7 to September 12. It is just our debut and it turned out to be a success! I am very glad that we represented Yakut art on the Russian stage. The fair has its own atmosphere, which you need not only to feel but also to live. I am sure that the girls returned home with new emotions and inspiration, which will allow them to create and develop even more. I would like many more Yakut artists to be part of this event. We have big plans and bright events ahead of us, we cannot reveal them now." says Nyurguyana Efremova, Sinet Spark project manager.
Arsen Tomsky, the founder of Sinet Spark, one of the initiators of the AyarKut Foundation for the Support of Contemporary Art of Yakutia, also congratulated the Yakut artists on their successful debut.
"Congratulations on the first success of Yakut artists and the AyarKut project! I am sure that the bright talent of Yakut artists, sculptors, designers, and other creators will lead to stunning success, international recognition, and even more sales in the future. This is an excellent example of the export of intellectual products from Yakutia and its popularization. I want to thank Nadezhda Zinovskaya for the hard work she has done." said Arsen Tomsky.
The official website of the AyarKut Foundation will be launched soon, and now you can follow the news and announcements on the official Instagram page.
*blazar is a fair of young contemporary art. The official satellite of the Cosmoscow International Contemporary Art Fair.
Photo: Tima Baldin, Peter Baranov, Nyurguyana Efremova
Author: Anna Lebedinskaya