Classical Figures Plunge into Contemporary Life in Alexey Kondakov’s Era-Blurring Paintings — Colossal



Art
Photography

#Alexey Kondakov
#art history
#collage
#humor

Alexey Kondakov stretches the notion that artwork is timeless. In his uncanny Artwork Historical past in Modern Life collection (previously), Kondakov plucks figures from neoclassical and romantic work and locations them into fashionable settings, blurring period, fashion, and medium.

Kondakov primarily works with backgrounds he’s photographed all through his native Kyiv and different European cities together with Berlin, Milan, and Naples. Typically laden with graffiti and fashionable conveniences like electrical stovetops and autos, the cruel, city settings counter the delicate, angelic traits of the Outdated Masters. In a single work, the spirited trio in Ferdinand Leeke’s “Fleeing Nymphs” dashes throughout a misty avenue, whereas one other depicts Alexandre Cabanel’s “Desdemona” sitting unamused with two empty cocktails on the desk in entrance of her.

Given Russia’s ongoing battle inside his dwelling nation, the artist has been working extra slowly the previous few years, though he launched a ebook accumulating his items titled An Imaginary Journey in 2021. “After the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, it took about half of the yr to deliver myself again to work, and it took a few yr to return to a traditional working movement. Now I’m filled with hopes and concepts,” he says.

Prints and some copies of An Imaginary Journey can be found in Kondakov’s shop. Discover extra of his artwork historic juxtapositions on Instagram.

#Alexey Kondakov
#art history
#collage
#humor

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