The project featured gallery artists Sasha Braulov, Pavel Pletnev, and Konstantin Reshetnikov. As part of the collaboration, the artists visited Vyksa, where they experienced the festival's year-round formats: "Pokhodnye Teatery," "Vyksa Mailoka," "Studio Raz," and others. They interacted with local residents and were inspired by the city's overall atmosphere.
Sasha Braulov created a series of 14 embroideries dedicated to the avant-garde and modernist architecture of Vyksa. Among them are the city's most recognizable buildings: the Rodina Cinema, the Metallurg Stadium, the Shukhov Tower, and others.
"I caught myself thinking that something interesting and exciting was constantly happening around me, which is quite unusual for such small towns. Upon returning to St. Petersburg, I embroidered 14 pieces in 14 days. Each house, each building, is unique, filled with its own stories, just like the people who live in them and interact with them."
Konstantin Reshetnikov inspired by a visit to the Vyksa metallurgical plant, created a series of metal sculptures, "Unicorn," in the festival's signature colors.
"The unicorn is a mythological beast familiar to every Vyksa resident, as it is depicted on the city's modern coat of arms. Based on the city's heraldry, I created several steel unicorns in vibrant colors and merchandise in the form of pins for the Vyksa Festival. The image of a brightly colored steel unicorn emphasizes the connection between the modern festival, the city's history, and its industrial foundation."
Pavel Pletnev captured his impressions of a trip to Vyksa in his "Jars" series. While strolling through the city, the artist noticed several elements characteristic of local wooden houses, such as a roof window. In creating the miniatures, Pavel used Vyksa slag—a stone formed by smelting ore that has a unique blue hue.
Partners:
VYKSA-FESTIVAL
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