| “Rehearsal” by Irina Nakhova at the Tretyakov Gallery In small boxes, like those in which children bury hamsters, Irina Nakhova placed images of her friends and acquaintances, illuminated them, and carefully laid them out in rows. Fifty different people in the classic “dead bullfighter” pose from a painting by Edouard Manet. Men, women and children, of different races and, probably, nationalities, practically the entire world around us. Variations within the given task are insignificant: some with a toy, some with a pillow. Small and delicate light boxes with photographs of supposedly dead people glow in the darkness of the “multimedia” part of the hall of contemporary arts of the Tretyakov Gallery. Above them, on the wall in the light, is a reproduction of another Manet painting - “The Balcony” - everyone is happy there, sitting to themselves. Spectators wander between the dead, the valley of the shadow of death, peering into the picture-coffin boxes lying under their feet (looking out for friends and acquaintances) and - momento mori - thinking about death and other vicissitudes of fate, which have acquired particular relevance in America (where he lives artist) after September 11.
For example, that the beauty and beauty of death is regularly lacking. In New York. In other overseas cities. Yes, and in other parts. And if this is the case, then it’s not a sin to rehearse - at least the image appropriate for the occasion will remain. You can also think about the death of the artist - it sounds beautiful, but not very clear. If we put all the artists in Nakhov’s boxes (preferably larger ones and so that they glow beautifully), perhaps it will become clearer. Thinking about photography and the beauty of a frozen moment, which seems similar to death, will also do. Or about exhibitions at the Tretyakov Gallery. Which so often makes you want to climb into the same box and quietly glow in the “toreador pose.” Or about Sigmund Freud and Roland Barthes and various clever words. As your soul and for now your body desire. Artistic death allows for both intellectual perception (after all, Irina Nakhova is an honored conceptual artist) and emotional perception - death after all.
There is no need to feel sad - all the heroes are still alive. But they will certainly die. Unlike the bullfighter, ladies and gentlemen on the balcony and other creations of Manet, immortal by definition. And, by the way, Manet himself - also immortal. And art in general. And, in particular, the Tretyakov Gallery. And perhaps Irina Nakhova. Because the life of an artist, of course, is difficult and unbearable, but his death conceals many prospects that are inaccessible to other mortals. Faina BALAKHOVSKAYA |
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