Igor Dryomin:
Seals in the Manege

Contemporary Russian art has so far ignored this massive cultural phenomenon - "the dominance of cats in our real life." Meanwhile, among the famous artists who depicted cats on their canvases were Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Durer, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and many others.

In addition, this pop symbol gained particular popularity in the virtual network space. A large-scale and first-ever exhibition was opened in the space of the New Manege State Exhibition Hall, the theme of which was the popular and popularized image of mass culture - “cat”

The project is called "Seals in the Manege." About eighty contemporary Russian artists presented their vision of this pop hero, including Oleg Tselkov, Pavel Pepperstein, Konstantin Zvezdochetov and many others.

Almost all artists prepared work specifically for the exhibition. Various media of contemporary art are represented: painting, sculpture, video, graphics, photography and installation.

The space of the "New Manege" has become a wonderful large home for a large flock of cats.

Egor Koshelev, project curator