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| Russian artists presentation |
| Oleg Kireev: RUSSIAN CULTURAL SITUATION IN THE AGE OF CHECHEN WAR (lecture) |
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Oleg Kireev is a political activist, campaigner and art
critic. He was a member of the "Against all parties"
campaign, the "Svoi 2000" movement, and an editor
for the infamous "Radek" magazine. He has been
involved in youth political movement and
organised various street actions to engage in social
and political debate in public space. |
Russia is on a peak of globalization, and Moscow is a new megapolis. The
city is exceptionally big and expensive, and is constantly infused with
investments. But, at the same time, stagnation of cultural activity is
obvious. Less enthusiasm, less ambitions - unlike the times when avantguarde
cultural and political circles were really prestigious. The same kind of
stagnation hit the radical political life, which frequently comes into
contact with the world of art and literature (remember the radical leftist
activities of actionist artists in Yeltsin's era). Both press and TV abstain
from surveying acute political conflicts, besides, there is strict division
between private and public life style. In general, one can register
depoliticization being underway. Now Russia completely lacks any public
opinion, which in previous times was so strong and influential. But this new
situation gave birth to numerable new forms of artistic and social activity.
1st May street parties. the SVOI 2000 movement. Youth non-commercial and
homemade video. Russian alternative internet. Artist run spaces.
Non-spectacular art and, last but not least, neo-hippyism... |
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