galleryblog @ tufts

We are in the midst of writing and editing the wall text for the Kabakov exhibition. At one point in the narrative, the discussion turns to explorers of “exotic” locales who can sense the reverence that locals have for particular natural spots (Uluru in Australia, Stonehenge in England, various Mayan ruins, etc.). At any rate, the theory goes that if you build a structure at a 60-degree angle in one of these spots, you too can harness the power of the cosmos.

A note about the word “exotic.” I may be making an etymological leap here, but bear with me. “Exotic” derives from the Greek, “exoticos” meaning foreign, and more interestingly, “exo” meaning outside. Is it coincidental that we speak of these ‘foreign’ places as potentially harnessing energy from ‘outside’ the biosphere?

I think not.

And another question. If we as visitors to these exotic places feel the surge of cosmic energy, are we still outsiders? Or do we become part of the larger, cosmic chorus?

Actually, that’s not true…we ARE painting! For any of you who have a strong affinity for institutional spaces, this exhibition will not disappoint.

Our colors, a nice seafoam green and tan, should bring to mind institutions of yore…Soviet-era, or maybe just a 1950s American classroom. After your tour of the archaeological dig, and your mind-blowing cosmic experience, you’ll be kickin’ it old-school in our debriefing era. Surf the web (on our really old computer monitor), browse through books, or just take a moment to reflect on your journey. Into the past, that is!

Nicolai Ouroussoff reviewed Richard Pare’s show at MoMA today in the Times. Here’s the link.

This article has a lot to do with Kabakov. Ouroussoff writes, “What distinguished [Soviet modern architecture] was the passion of its conviction, however naive, that architecture could be an agent for profound social change. That this vision was stillborn only adds to its allure: as an incomplete experiment, it potentially could be renewed by future generations.”

I’d say Kabakov is a direct descendent of this wave of modern architects and their utopian thinking. By conceiving of, and constructing, the Center of Cosmic Energy (and, indeed, the entire Utopian City) he was put himself squarely amongst that ‘future generation’ and their vision.

Ouroussoff goes on to say that “sadly, the reverent regard that Western architects hold for these buildings is not necessarily matched by everyday Russians. Many of them are only too eager to brush aside architectural reminders of the Soviet era. The result threatens to be a collective amnesia that will permanently distort one of the most critical periods of modern architectural history.”

This collective amnesia is exactly what Kabakov and the CCE seek to prevent. By channeling the cosmic energy from the Noosphere, where all the world’s greatest ideas live, people can effectively prevent those ideas from disappearing. The question is, can Kabakov and his CCE convince modern-day citizens, including Russians, that these great old ideas are worth remembering?

I had the opportunity to speak with Emilia Kabakov today, one of the artists of the much-anticipated Center of Cosmic Energy.

As she is Russian, I thought I might get to brush up on my Russian skills. I took Russian in high school and college, and although I loved it at the time, I can’t say I’ve had the opportunity to use it much since then. It’s not exactly a language that pops up all the time, the way French and Spanish seem to. Americans don’t use many Russian phrases in their everyday vernacular.

Anyway, Emilia speaks perfect English, so I didn’t get the chance to impress her by using the few useful Russian phrases I do remember. I have a Russian textbook here at work, though, so I thumbed through it. The section I flipped open to was about the accusative adjective, which sounded fun, so I started reading. Here are some of the phrases I learned:

“Do you know the new Russian neighbor?”
“Does she love her second husband?”
“We know the last tsar.”
“Do you know her third husband?”
“He’s a Russian, isn’t he?”

I suppose it’s a good thing that I didn’t have to pull out any Russian on the phone. Although I could have gotten some real dirt, apparently. I don’t remember such soap-opera-worthy conversations back in Russian 101!

More pictorial updates on the amphorae next week, I promise. We have to wait until Doug gets back from Deutschland and starts building again. Until then, I’ll keep practicing my Russian so when the Kabakovs come to visit, I can have a really useful conversation with them. I’ll be sure to ask them if they know the last tsar, or her third husband.

This will be my only pictorial post this week. Our amphorae creator is on assignment in Germany until next Monday. Ja, it’s true.

This is what we’re using to create the “rock-like” outer shell of amphorae. Up close, it looks like this:

And the longshot:

It’s true, folks. Even expanding foam usually reserved for filling cracks in bathroom tile can become Fine Art. Cans used number around 15, so far. I suspect we’ll use at least double that in the end, along with vermiculite, joint compound, and good old-fashioned glue guns. The whole thing will then be spray-painted (color TBD).

Until next time…auf wiedersehen!

Although not that different. Here are two views of the other side of Koppelman. Doug is building a wall that divides the staircase in two, and creates a separate entry/exit for viewing the amphorae.

As you walk down the stairs, you will be instructed to go to the right. There, you’ll turn the corner and encounter the archaelogical dig.

As you leave the dig site, you’ll again walk to the right to exit into a small ‘debriefing’ area. How that area looks is TBD…check back later!

Here are the latest pictures: note wire wrapping. It’s taking shape!

And so it begins…

We have officially begun the excavation of Koppelman - uncovering the amphoras that store cosmic energy. And by “uncover” I of course mean construct - no small task. Our preparator has had a vision (delivered cosmically?!) of the space for quite some time, and it’s really taking shape. What you are looking at is one of the two amphoras, or rather its frame, which will then be covered in wire mesh and then sprayed with foam to create a rocklike surface.

I will post pictures as the work progresses.

I mean, you could theoretically live in this thing. I’ve asked Doug to construct a small trapdoor in the back, in case the cosmic energy gets to be too much and we need a place in which to hide. I think he filed that request in the ‘yeah, right’ drawer.