LITERATI ARTSPACE

A-Z Artistic Duo

​

The art association of two artists A- Z artistic duo (Russian Anna Minakova and Ukrainian Zakhar Borisenko) appeared in 2013. The artists built the formation of their own artistic and cultural identity on a hybrid method based on a combination of high culture and grassroots. Having deeply studied the traditions of world and local art, which can be found in their works, they have not forgotten the folk village customs, paid special attention to details and symbolism, which is clearly manifested, for example, in the art object "Seeds" in the form of a glass with sunflower seeds or a series of works “Resistance”.

 

A- Z artistic duo is an alliance of two intellectuals who not only brilliantly navigate the diversity of styles and techniques, but also analyze the cultural code of our society. In their works they rework the historical role of Christianity, Slavic folk customs and traditions, schools of icon painting, wood carving, and wooden architecture. The legacy of the Russian revolutionary avant-garde allows them to create contemporary abstract and constructivist works.  Their kinetic works are references not primarily to Calder and world stars, but to the tradition of Soviet kineticists. The latter is very well demonstrated by such kinetic objects as the "Turbines" series.

Art objects with so-called "mechanics on demand" are also interesting in the performance of the creative duo. In the work "Fan", pressing a button makes titanium elements open like wings, and in the "Aperture", turning the bezel not only makes the curtains open, but also raises the centre element - a diamond - on a “microlift”.

 

A- Z artistic duo also actively collaborate, realizing joint projects with contemporary artists from related fields. The duo has worked with Olga Tobreluts, Protey Temen, Irina Petrakova, Jean-Christophe Couet, Varya Alai, and Ilya Fedotov-Fedorov in different years. With the latter, the philosophical series "The Circle of Life" was created, dedicated to metamorphosis in nature. The blue cocoon of a butterfly seems inanimate, but we know that a real miracle is taking place inside at exactly this moment of contemplation.

 

Svetlana Taylor, Curator, Program Director  

Institute of Social Sciences RANEPA

Faculty of Design and Media Communications

​

​