Contemporary Art in Russia: Opportunities to Engage

Calvert 22 Gallery and the British Council presented In Focus: Contemporary Art in Russia, a one day event that proved a unique and unprecedented opportunity to learn about Russia’s vibrant arts scene and to discover points of connection and collaboration between Russia and the UK.

In Focus comprised of short presentations, focused panel discussions and structured opportunities to meet curators, directors and art practitioners from Russia and the UK. The day included contributions from across the spectrum of state-funded institutions and independent spaces with the goal of creating a lively and dynamic discussion on contemporary art both across Russia and in the international context.

Featuring leading art professionals and cultural commentators from Russia and the UK including Vasili Tsereteli (Moscow Museum of Modern Art), Joseph Backstein (Moscow Biennale), Marat Guelman, (PERMM/Guelman Gallery), Mikhail Mindlin (National Centre for Contemporary Art), Milena Orlova (Art Newspaper Russia) and Olesya Turkina (Critic and curator) as well as representatives from the State Hermitage Museum and the Garage Centre for Contemporary Culture. They were joined in conversation by leading UK critics and curators including Nicholas Cullinan(Tate) and Ekow Eshun (Writer and broadcaster) and a participating audience of arts professionals from institutions including the British Museum, the V&A, the National Portrait Gallery, and Liverpool Biennale.