Day of Knowledge
The exhibition, September 1-15, 1991
Participants: Konstantin Zvezdochetov and “E.T.I.” movement, Gallery “Regina-Art”
Curator-exhibitor: Олег Кулик
1. Opening
Konstantin Zvezdochetov exhibited in the gallery space three objects, which formed the central axis of the exhibition. The first object was pseudo-theatrical decoration with Kremlin wall, on top of which was located the image of a 17th century gun. The second object was semi-abstract shield with the inscription: “Drokova smokes”. The third object was “Zaev. Shit. Impotent” in the form of three nailed slogans in the aesthetics of Soviet propaganda. In view of the failed putsch in 1991, this slogan was full of meanings.
Our works were hung on the walls. It were desks suspended at different angles, on the surfaces of which were cut graffiti with a drill, and the cracks were filled with paint.
The most famous became a slogan “Sex Marx Karl Pistols”, which went to masses and was used by punks, was replicated on t-shirts and stickers. Also it was used by group “RADEK” in the action “Demonstration” in 2001.
In general, all this graffitism was associated with aesthetics of groups “Mukhomor” and “Chempiona Mira” (“World Champions”), with one significant exception. If they used Soviet ideological symbols as a mark of their own ironic attitude to politics and ideology, we had no irony – it was a direct negativist youth statement.
2. Closing
At the closing of the exhibition desks were taken from the walls and were brought some more to create a large plane. To enter the hall viewers had to go on this desks, on which raw meat were scattered. There we also held a performance.
3. Performance “A parody of the human chain at the White House”
August, 1991 at the White House people were holding hands so as not to let pass the storming troops. In our performance the participants stood up in a “chain” by putting their hands in the pants oа each other.
4. «Tombstone of Russian Democracy» on the exhibition “The Day of Knowledge” from 1 to 15 September, 1991.
