On «1703» at the Central Exhibition Hall «Manege» / 2024

On June 4, 2024, the 3rd St. Petersburg Art Fair “1703” opened.

I love contemporary art fairs in Russia for their scale and high level of organization. Perhaps only in our country do curators and gallerists stray so boldly from the concept of the White Cube. They experiment with stand design, collaborate with designers and artists from other fields — and do so without worrying that such liberties are often seen as bad manners in the international context. Personally, I admire this approach: any creativity that meaningfully enhances perception and deepens immersion into the artist’s world sparks my curiosity.

Our culture is genuinely rich and diverse. Despite close international connections and active exchange of experience in this era of globalization, the works of Russian authors retain a distinct identity. Their worldview and modes of expression are truly unique. References and homages are rare, always relevant, and usually aimed at provoking a new round of reflection on ideas previously explored.

The language of the exhibiting artists is not “shooting oneself in the foot” followed by endless complaints about censorship, but rather a nuanced, thoughtful dialogue with the viewer — a subtle maneuver firmly grounded on three pillars: conceptuality, technical mastery, and artistry. Watching this unfold is a real pleasure.

Of course, there are some shortcomings. Too little attention was paid to photography, even though it is one of the foundations of modern communication. And some galleries really should have the decency not to recycle leftovers from last year’s Cosmoscow. The jury, which regularly visits all major art fairs in Russia, noticed this and often gave more chances to new ideas and galleries — even if they weren’t friends of the committee.