Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Kuznetsov presents his latest installation in the context of The Journey To The East exhibition presented at Arsenal Gallery in Bialystok / Poland.
This installation titled Small Fiat 126p is a kind of monument, it commemorates a certain time the 90s, and portrays a specific situation, witnessed by Volodymyr Kuznetsov. The small Fiat type 126p was a very popular car in Poland in 80s and 90s. Despite it’s small size it was often used by merchants trading stuff mostly in post soviet countries. For his installation, Volodymyr Kuznetsov collected also some goods from that time. There is a collection of clothes, toys, electronic equipment, kitchen utensils, and all kinds of other things one could find on a flee market about two decades ago.
The artist prepared also a video for the song by Belorussian rock musician Wiktor Tsoi. This song, titled “(We want/demand) Changes!” is an anthem of Belorussian opposition. It is officially forbidden to be played on the radio. Volodymyr Kuznetsov illustrates this song with archival footages presenting actual changes taking place: The Berlin wall falling down, the Solidarnosz movement in Poland etc. He combines it with current Belorussian anti-government movement activities.
Volodymyr Kuznetsov is a Ukrainian artist. He is co-founder of the Artistic Council self-educational community, based on interdisciplinary co-operation, CCCK – Center for Communication and Context, and also co-founder of the artist group R.E.P. (Revolutsijnyj Experymentalnyj Prostir / Revolutionary Experimental Space). Volodymyr Kuznetsov was born in 1976 in Lutsk (Ukraine). He lives and works in Kiev. In 2009 he was shortlisted for the PinchukArtCentre Prize.
Volodymyr Kuznetsov: Small Fiat 126p. Monument to the 90s. Installation / 2011. Arsenal Gallery: The Journey To The East (05.08.2011 – 30.09.2011). Curator: Monika Szewczyk. Interview with Volodymyr Kuznetsov. Video by VernissageTV correspondent Ania Ejsmont.
PS: See also: Interview with Orkhan Huseynov, talking about his two works Occupied and Splash.
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