Russian Realism. Nuances and Contrasts

This short text is dictated by the desire to appeal to the Viewer. Not to a colleague, not to an art critic, but simply to the Spectator, one way or another familiar with the fine arts and with its current state. About 15-20 years ago, it would have been inappropriate to talk about this, but it is necessary today. Why is this so? - Because cultural immunity is always under tremendous pressure in times of change (paradigm shift). Because the black square for me is equivalent to the corpse of the leader in the mausoleum. Because also, since I have already named my first personal exhibition, it would not hurt to explain, at least in part, what I mean. So why Russian? What makes a person English, French or Russian in general? Physics? Politics? Mathematics or Economics? - Unlikely. Probably, after all, belonging to the national culture, which everyone begins to absorb from childhood in one way or another. In other words, it is basic liberal arts education, not leavened patriotism. Those who have read Gauff, Andersen, Brothers Grimm since childhood are unlikely to fall ill with the latter. But so far not a single people with a great history has ceased to be proud of the great representatives of their culture. What about Russian painting? - From Rublev to Abakumov 5 centuries. And there is a prayer and hope that this will not end there. Why Realism? After all, strictly speaking, there is Configurative (objective) and Abstract (non-objective) art. And if you dig deeper, then fine art is, in principle, Abstract, since it uses abstract visual means: lines, spots, strokes, local colors on the palette and their mixtures, imprimaturs, etc. etc. Here, however, the conclusion suggests itself that the Abstraction, performed by its own abstract means, is, in a way, a Tautology, oily oil and wet water. However, who likes what ... And now one shaman draws a diagram of a bull in a cave. Sticks-legs, sticks-horns, tail-squiggle. And the other, in another cave, "for some reason" turns out marvelous bulls, lions, antelopes ... Moreover, they are very expressively made. And this, another, by the way, and in his prehistoric head will not come to draw sticks. It is boring for him, you see.

So why Realism and not Configurative and Representative art? - It's just that for the Russian ear it sounds clear and organic.

Although, of course, this tree has a lot of branches: Hyper-, Neo-, Sur-, Critical, finally, as an antipode to the Socialist-politicized, violently, of course. But someone believed sincerely, honestly. And a lot of art works of social realism were absolutely masterfully made, incredibly talented, and are unconditional masterpieces. And Korina, Plastov, Deineka, Pimenov, Konchalovsky with his heroic lilacs of victory, Favorsky and Nikireev, Nyssky. And many, many others, no less ... Is this all purely socialist ?! (A Pimenov's girl in a Convertible would have looked no less wonderful even in New York or even in Paris).

And also, If we are created in the Image and Likeness, then we write the beauty of the world of God with His help. But in own image (education, temperament, preferences, fate in the end). And everyone in the measure of Giftedness and Diligence. That is why we do not judge strictly. Someone believes in it, someone does not really, someone just does not care. I believe. P.S. There is an order in the navy. "Save according to your ability." A very accurate definition for a Russian artist and an Orthodox. There are abilities, so we are saved by them.

Regards, Artist Zakharov O.B

To the page "Painting":

https://www.yoursartgallery.com/painting