DUBAI, 14 January 2022 – Contemporary multidisciplinary art allows artists to be bright, visible, accept new challenges and bring fresh energy to a variety of spaces, concluded artists and experts gathered at the Russia Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday.
Joining the ‘Art: Present and New Tendencies’ session virtually, Pokras Lampas, modern calligraphy artist and creator of #calligrafuturism Movement took the audience on a visual tour of his work around the world, from a calligraphy artwork spread on a rooftop in Moscow, which is visible from Google Earth to the biggest calligraphy in Italy – on the rooftop of the Palazzo della Civiltà Italian in Rome, as well as his work with famous brands, such as Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent Beauty.
He said: “Today, an artist is also a media brand. We [artists] connect with different audiences and expand horizons, from the smallest detail in a palette of eyeshadow to the biggest city square in the world… An artist wears many hats to create non-standard solutions for a particular space.”
Presenting one of his famous architectural costumes, also known as a living sculpture, to the audience, Roman Ermakov, artist and sculptor said: “Art is necessary for happiness and wellbeing. We may not always see art in our regular, mundane routines but when we see pieces of art, we can see our position in life anew and find fresh perspectives.”
Wearing a latex headdress, modern artist Sasha Frolova agreed with Ermakov: “It is important for modern art to bring positive energy to a space. It should encourage viewers to appreciate the beauty of the moment.”
Speaking virtually, Andrey Kolokolov, artist and co-founder of Stenograffia Festival, gave the audience an overview of annual international street art and graffiti festival, Stenograffia, held in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
He cited the photo of an artwork on Lake Khanto in the city of Noyabrsk in Russia that resembled the legendary Scottish Loch Ness monster and which drew worldwide media attention, as an example of the power of art. Kolokolov said: “Public art and street art are very flexible and representative of fast-changing cities. Public art is all about communication and has the power to put cities on the global map.”
The event was moderated by Natalya Andakulova, founder of Andakulova Gallery (Dubai) and formed part of a full programme of cultural, business and social events by the Russia Pavilion throughout the six months of Expo 2020 Dubai.
