Exploring the Diversity of Russian Art: Highlights from MMOMA and the New Tretyakov Gallery
Art enthusiasts are in for a treat at two newly opened exhibitions in Moscow. The first one is ‘Dialogue in Time and Space–Russian Art of XX–XXI Centuries’ at MMOMA, which showcases the evolution of Russian art from the 20th century to the present. The other exhibition is ‘Artist Tkachev—On the 100th Anniversary of Sergei Tkachev’ at the Tretyakov Gallery. These exhibitions offer an opportunity to explore the rich history and diverse art forms that have emerged from Russia.
‘Dialogue in Time and Space’—Russian Art of XX–XXI Centuries
MMOMA–Moscow Museum of Modern Art
Until May 21
The Moscow Museum of Modern Art (MMOMA) and the Sinara Foundation are presenting an exhibition titled ‘Dialogue in Time and Space’ showcasing over 120 works of 20th and 21st-century artists from the Urals and other regions of Russia.
The featured works include paintings, sculptures, graphics, and objects produced between 1970 and 2000, highlighting the diverse creative expression of artists from across Russia. The exhibition is divided into several themed sections that reflect critical issues in contemporary art such as urbanisation, ecological challenges, and cultural self-identification. The project aims to present the individuality of each artist's approach in selecting their works, including such artists as Dmitry Prigov, Ilya Kabakov, and Oleg Kulik, who provide the symbolic centre of the exhibition. Works by Ernst Neizvestny form a bridge with the Urals, not only in their origins but also in their plastic method. Works by Ural dwellers Oleg Yelovoy, Nikolay Fedoreyev, and others enter into a dialogue with those by famous representatives of Russian contemporary art, such as Blue Noses and Recycle, Alexander Brodsky, Irina Korina, Alexandra Paperno, and many others.
By displaying works by artists from different regions with different methods and stylistic features, the exhibition creates a cultural and geographical intersection, showcasing a range of creative competency.
How to get there:
There are two ways to get to MMOMA on Petrovka street: by bus (M9 or M2) or by metro. The museum is located around 10–13 minutes’ walk from Pushkinskaya station (exit 11) and Trubnaya Station (exit 2).
Address: 25 Petrovka Street
Opening hours: Tue–Sun: 12 pm–9 pm
Tickets: 300–500 roubles
‘Artists Tkachev. On the 100th Anniversary of Sergei Tkachev’
Until May 14
An exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Sergei Tkachev showcases his early works and paintings by his brother, Alexei Tkachev, as well as their first joint painting. Both Tkachev brothers were renowned artists and received various awards during their lifetime. Their creative partnership spanned over 70 years.
The exhibition includes works created during their early experimentation with their collaborative method, with the centrepiece being their painting ‘Between Battles’, which depicts a scene unrelated to warfare, showcasing the story of literacy classes in the village of Ovstug. The painting took multiple years to complete and was created with input from the Tkachevs' family and nearby residents. The main figure in the painting is a young high school student based on the story of a village teacher sent to teach rural peasants to read and write, a tale that impressed the Tkachev brothers so much they chose to feature it in their artwork. The piece was created using a unique method of sketching individually before working together on one piece.
Prior to this work, the brothers created portraits and scenes of the Caspian seaside during their time studying at the Surikov Institute. Their work aligns with the artistic tradition of Moscow painting, with Alexei particularly skilled at using muted shades to create images of sunlight breaking through. Another painting exhibited is ‘The Lonely Fisherman’ by Sergei, which depicts a quiet scene of a fisherman at night. These earlier works preceded their famous exploration of the Russian countryside in works such as ‘Mothers’, ‘Near the Old Bath-houses’, and ‘To the Collective Farm’.
How to get there:
The New Tretyakov Gallery is located near the Oktyabrskaya and Park Kultury metro stations. It takes around 10 minutes’ walk from Oktyabrskaya and 15–20 minutes’ walk from Park Kultury station.
Address: 10 Krymsky Val
Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Sun: 10 am–6 pm; Thu, Fri, Sat: 10 am–9 pm
Tickets: 300–500 roubles (link to buy online tickets)
Text by Lý Trang, second-year master’s student of Critical Media Studies, intern at the HSE University English website team