The main shocker of the Russian scene, Sergei Shnurov, does not get tired of delighting fans and sympathizers with odious antics, striking images, topical texts and, what can I hide there, great music. He is beautiful in his dissimilarity to others, courageous, effective, certainly talented. But few people know that Cord’s work is not limited to the stage, and even the thoughtful quotes that are gaining popularity recently are not at all the limit of his possibilities. The paintings of Sergei Shnurov deserve no less attention from all who are close to the bully spirit of "Leningrad" and indeed all contemporary art as a whole.
What is brand realism?
Do not be surprised if you have not heard of such a direction in art. Sergey Shnurov is an artist whose paintings are a kind of standard of brand realism. And all because he himself deduced the main concept, and he came up with the name. The basis was a kind of protest against the development of market conditions and the dominance of certain brands in the mass consciousness. Each of his paintings has either a symbol or a hint of a certain brand, starting with oil products and ending with a belief in higher powers.
A brand in art and art as a brand
It is worth mentioning another artist, whose paintings, if they did not become the main source of inspiration for Shnurov, then in any case they have much in common. This is Andy Warhol, on the canvases of which we can see Marilyn Monroe, cans with the popular soup, Superman, Mao and Lenin, Coca-Cola ... What unites these images? All of them, according to the artist, are brands. Like Warhol himself. Like all art in general.
However, the idea of ​​ridiculing the prevalence of the material over the spiritual is not at all new. It is all as old as the world. Many artists turned to this idea, Warhol and Cords are not alone. But the artist Sergei Shnurov is the first who managed to put everything together and formulate so that everyone understands.
A word to the author
“The apocalypse is near,” says Cord. Voicing the author’s manifesto, he argues that it is time to stop drinking kvass, it should be determined more quickly. Sergey Shnurov's paintings are an attempt not only to ridicule the dependence of individual citizens on display and vanity, but also a kind of reminder of the frailty of being. The artist openly taunts worship of the Golden Taurus in general and brands in particular.
These ideas are echoed in the work of the singer: in his lyrics and videos. Yes, take at least the famous "Louboutins."
The path to art
The rebellious image of the artist is given to him easily, and therefore it turns out so organic. But he does not allow to discern what the artist skillfully hides behind rough lyrics and spit on etiquette. But Shnurov is not at all a poorly educated bumpkin with an eternal hangover syndrome. Behind his shoulders is the Leningrad Institute of Civil Engineering, the famous “hard worker” (lyceum, where he acquired the specialty of a restorer) and the philosophical faculty of the Theological Institute.
Painting attracted the artist for a long time. By the way, one of the first musical groups, which he headed while still a schoolboy, was called “Van Gogh's Ear”. And he began to draw the cord in his native St. Petersburg.
First exhibition
Pictures of Sergei Shnurov first appeared before the public in the St. Petersburg gallery "Fine Art". According to the artist, a long-time friend, artist Dmitry Shorin, helped him in this , and he himself did not have to make any efforts. The exhibition was called “The Exclusive of Brand Realism”. A small gallery contained only eight paintings that the artist himself chose.
The images
The exhibition of paintings by Sergei Shnurov attracted many visitors. His paintings are quite diverse. Many of them can even be called provocative.
For example, the Do Not Steal painting tells a sad story about a kitten who died near the Bosch refrigerator. Apparently, there was an attempt to steal food and some kind of accident, which resulted in a very impressive pool of cat blood.
The panorama depicting the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is also very interesting. Tall rostral columns sprinkle with torches , but the water is dark due to oil spilling over it. Take a closer look and you will realize that there is no water at all, oil has completely absorbed it.
Some paintings by Sergei Shnurov are outright parodies. For example, his interpretation of Matisse, adorned with the eloquent signature “In the Hermitage”. Well, or a black rectangle, clearly referring to the work of Kazimir Malevich.
Of course, it could not have done without that “below the belt”, otherwise it could not have been - it would have simply not been Cord. The capacious name “Act” speaks for itself - the act of physical intimacy is really depicted on the canvas in all its glory. By the way, visitors to the exhibition were given the opportunity to purchase this painting for 30 thousand dollars.
Expert Opinion
In the fall of 2016, on the eve of the upcoming exhibition of Shnurov’s paintings “A Retrospective of Brand Realism,” an interview was published by Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage. According to him, Shnurov is definitely a bright figure in contemporary art. Piotrovsky, who discerned serious talent in his canvases, called not to consider the artist’s work as pop art.
The opening of the exhibition is scheduled for February 1, 2017. This time it will be held in the Erarta Gallery of Modern Art. But who knows, perhaps someday we will see paintings by Sergei Shnurov in the Hermitage? Still, you can endlessly argue about his work, but one thing is certain - he still made his contribution to St. Petersburg art.