the method of collage to montage. This evolution aligns Sergey Kuryokhin with
John Cage, another 20th century revolutionary, who transformed the idea of
music, philosophy and art. Together with him Kuryokhin made the performance
Water Symphony (1988) in Leningrad, and later dedicated to him one of his last
compositions.
Декорация
Поп-механика.
«С Новым годом!»
Новые художники.
Рок-клуб. 1985
Холст, акрил.
Courtesy: Ксения
Новикова, Архив
The atmosphere of Popular Mechanics was largely determined by its inextricable
link with the arts. The days of futurist opera Victory Over the Sun (1913) saw the
New artists tearing up the collectively painted curtains on stage, the group founder
Timur Novikov marching with huge inflatable dragon on his shoulders, Sergey
Bugaev Afrika (elected as the President of the Globe) eating flowers, the Necrorealist
group members crawling after their founder Eugeny Yufit, Yuri Tsirkul, wearing naval
uniform, reciting his songs, Ivan Sotnikov and Oleg Kotelnikov performing solo on
Utyugon… The image of Popular Mechanics changed over the time, from the dark
humor of Dadaist scenes to post-ideological performances; from the futuristic
costumes by Sergey Chernov, inspired by industrial landfills, to the heroes of ancient
myths, played by artists from New Academy.
По следам «Поп-механики»
In the wake of Popular Mechanics exhibition not only represents exclusive
archival materials: parts of the original stage decorations, costumes, and photos
carefully selected from private archives and collections such as collection of
Anastasia Kuryokhina, Sergey ‘Afrika’ Bugaev, and Timur Novikov’s archive, for
example. The exhibition recreates the very soul of Popular Mechanics with its
spontaneous unpredictability, total approach to the picture of the world and its
carnival transformation.
6
Text: Olesya Turkina
Тимура Новикова
The Pop-mechanics
decoration “Happy
New Year!”
New Artists group,
Rock-club. 1985
Canvas, acryl.
C