Exhibition of works by Sergey Sapozhnikov The Drama Machine

SmartArt of Ekaterina Vinokurova and Anastasia Karneeva organizes The Drama Machine - an exhibition of the works of Sergei Sapozhnikov in the Udarnik movie theater. The curator of the event is Italian art critic Irene Calderoni.

Sapozhnikov is one of the most prominent representatives̆ of the new generation of Russian artists. Sapozhnikov’s works are in the collections of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Poldi Pezzoli Museum (Italy), private collections of Alberto Sandretti (Italy), Jos Stelling (Netherlands) and others.

Sapozhnikov’s work is focused on photography as a medium. Sapozhnikov explores the specifics of photography through interaction and correlation with other genres of contemporary art, such as installation and performance.

Smart Art will present the key project of Sergey Sapozhnikov The Drama Machine.

Sapozhnikov’s inspiration for the presented series of works was a monument of architecture of his hometown - Drama Theater. M. Gorky. Designed by architects Vladimir Schuko and Vladimir Gelfreich in 1930, this masterpiece of Russian constructivism is built in the shape of a tractor. The author was inspired by both the symbolism of this architectural object and his historical time travel. Therefore, it is no coincidence that The Drama Machine is a multifaceted project. Starting from the current appearance of the building and the events related to its history, Sapozhnikov developed a complex narrative, built up dramaturgy, awakened the spirit of the place, his poetics as a scene for the performance, which itself became a mirror of utopia, dreams, failures and rebirths.

“SmartArt is pleased to introduce Sapozhnikov’s The Drama Machine to a Moscow audience,” said Anastasia Karneeva, partner and co-founder of SmartArt. "The capital’s debut of The Drama Machine will help SmartArt achieve our company’s main business goal, which we see in the development of the Russian contemporary art market through the active moderation of communication between a growing number of collectors and contemporary Russian artists."

The curator of the exhibition was Irene Calderoni, art critic and curator, living and working in Turin, Italy. The catalog of the exhibition, published by Marsilio Editore, includes texts by architectural historians and critics dedicated to the Drama Theater. M. Gorky in Rostov-on-Don.

“SmartArt consulting projects always emphasize the historical context of the submitted work, and also support the business activities of other market participants,” said Ekaterina Vinokurova, partner and co-founder of SmartArt. “Our partners include contemporary art support funds, museums, galleries, financial companies and private investors.”

The space of The Drama Machine is intertwined with the space of the exhibition - the Udarnik cinema and its famous sliding ceiling-dome are another unique monument of constructivism, moreover, the cinema architect Boris Iofan worked with the creators of the "tractor" Schuko and Gelfreich on the legendary and unrealized Palace of Soviets.

The exhibition was organized to promote young Russian artists by SmartArt art consulting company, the founders of which are Anastasia Karneeva and Ekaterina Vinokurova. Anastasia Karneeva has significant experience in providing advisory services in the field of art and investment, has been involved in the development of Christie’s auction house business in Russia for more than 6 years, and in 2008 launched the first office of the auction house in Moscow. Ekaterina Vinokurova went from the representative of the famous London gallery of contemporary art Haunch of Venison in Moscow to the director of the Moscow representative office of Christie’s.

SmartArt seeks to increase the recognition of artists and offers comprehensive promotion programs, as well as advocates for educational initiatives.

As part of a series of exhibitions, 9 key contemporary artists will be represented: Sergey Sapozhnikov, Alexandra Paperno, Alexey Buldakov, Anastasia Potemkina, Alexander Povzner, Daria Irincheeva, Alexandra Galkina, Svetlana Shuvaeva, Arseniy Zhilyaev.

The general partner of the event is the Marathon Group company, which manages the pharmaceutical assets of Alexander Vinokurov. The event is supported by the Breus Foundation and the CosMoscow fair.

The exhibition will be open to visitors from January 25 to March 10. Free admission.