Antique Images in Contemporary Russian Easel Sculpture: Problem of Interpretation

Abstract

Nowadays Russian easel sculpture experiences the period of recovery and renewal of means of expression. It is important that this process demonstrates modern comprehension of the tradition and attention to cultural heritage. The problem of the reasons why sculptors turned their attention to classical antiquity also seems to be quite significant. On the one hand, this problem touches upon the fundamentals of sculpture, one of fine arts, whose existence is impossible beyond the context of Graeco-Roman antiquity. It is especially important to take into the account the experience of postmodernism with its allusive sense and penchant for direct quotation. European artistic tradition of Modern Times is rich in examples of applying antiquity as the basis for stylization. It is necessary to measure the entire gamut and extent of the artists’ appeal to the legacy of classical antiquity. Interpretation may swing around the themes, graphic associations, opposition, game, myth, illustration, etc. The considered examples touch upon creative practice of the leading contemporary sculptors — Alexander Rukavishnikov, Sergei Mil’chenko, Leonid Baranov, Andrei Balashov, et al. It seems important to understand their works’ genre peculiarity and to correspond it with that of the ancient masters’ works.