07 august – 27 september
Kult Dereva (The Cult of Wood) is an exhibition project dedicated to a contemporary interpretation of the traditions of artistic woodworking. The exposition brings together works by the artist Dmitry Chekuchinov with exhibits from the museum's collection. The exhibition demonstrates how the traditions of Russian artistic craftsmanship continues in contemporary art.
The exhibition is built as a retrospective of the creative journey of Dmitry Chekuchinov – a wood artist, designer, and graduate of the Abramtsevo Art and Industrial College named after Vasnetsov and the Stroganov Moscow State Academy of Arts and Industry. He explores national tradition through working with wood. The exposition traces the evolution of Dmitry’s work: from early pieces to interior sculpture, art objects, and furniture items. Working with color, texture, and silhouette, the artist turns to archetypal images of folk culture, reinterpreting them through the means of contemporary design.
"For centuries, wood has served as the foundation for creating works of decorative art. The mastery of artistic woodworking was carefully passed down from generation to generation, while the works themselves preserved artistic traditions, cultural values, and notions of beauty of their time. It is gratifying that contemporary artists continue this dialogue with the past, drawing inspiration from a rich heritage and discovering new forms and meanings," said Tatyana Rybkina, Director of the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum.
A special place in the exhibition is occupied by items from the Decorative Art Museum collections, which highlight the continuity of generations in the art of artistic woodworking. Among the works from the Abramtsevo and Talashkino workshops, and those of masters from the Russian North and Gorodets, are pieces that reveal the primary techniques of traditional wood carving. These traditions became the foundation for the formation of Dmitry Chekuchinov's authorial language, for whom the Russian North is one of the main sources of inspiration. It was here that examples of wood carving emerged. It remains the benchmark of the Russian style – austere, distinctive, and alive.
For the first time, animistic amulet sculptures carved from walrus ivory from the late 19th – early 20th centuries, as well as wooden animal sculptures by Vasily Vatagin from the early 20th century from the museum's collection, will be presented. Among the key exhibits are also a casket by Vornoskov, reflecting the formation of a distinctive school of flat-relief carving, an art object by Dmitry Chekuchinov titled "Solar Totem," and a chest of drawers "Abramtsevo," inspired by the legacy of the Abramtsevo art workshops.
The exhibition is accompanied by a film about the master's work in the carpentry and carving workshop, as well as curator-led tours. Artist Semyon Starov will create a unique narrative video sequence in the "Bilibin" style featuring the exhibition's exhibits.
The exhibition is built as a retrospective of the creative journey of Dmitry Chekuchinov – a wood artist, designer, and graduate of the Abramtsevo Art and Industrial College named after Vasnetsov and the Stroganov Moscow State Academy of Arts and Industry. He explores national tradition through working with wood. The exposition traces the evolution of Dmitry’s work: from early pieces to interior sculpture, art objects, and furniture items. Working with color, texture, and silhouette, the artist turns to archetypal images of folk culture, reinterpreting them through the means of contemporary design.
"For centuries, wood has served as the foundation for creating works of decorative art. The mastery of artistic woodworking was carefully passed down from generation to generation, while the works themselves preserved artistic traditions, cultural values, and notions of beauty of their time. It is gratifying that contemporary artists continue this dialogue with the past, drawing inspiration from a rich heritage and discovering new forms and meanings," said Tatyana Rybkina, Director of the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum.
A special place in the exhibition is occupied by items from the Decorative Art Museum collections, which highlight the continuity of generations in the art of artistic woodworking. Among the works from the Abramtsevo and Talashkino workshops, and those of masters from the Russian North and Gorodets, are pieces that reveal the primary techniques of traditional wood carving. These traditions became the foundation for the formation of Dmitry Chekuchinov's authorial language, for whom the Russian North is one of the main sources of inspiration. It was here that examples of wood carving emerged. It remains the benchmark of the Russian style – austere, distinctive, and alive.
For the first time, animistic amulet sculptures carved from walrus ivory from the late 19th – early 20th centuries, as well as wooden animal sculptures by Vasily Vatagin from the early 20th century from the museum's collection, will be presented. Among the key exhibits are also a casket by Vornoskov, reflecting the formation of a distinctive school of flat-relief carving, an art object by Dmitry Chekuchinov titled "Solar Totem," and a chest of drawers "Abramtsevo," inspired by the legacy of the Abramtsevo art workshops.
The exhibition is accompanied by a film about the master's work in the carpentry and carving workshop, as well as curator-led tours. Artist Semyon Starov will create a unique narrative video sequence in the "Bilibin" style featuring the exhibition's exhibits.
