Ukrainian Artist's Dystopian and Surrealist Art
A Non-Conformist - Vachagan Narazyan
Authoritarians attack art that does not conform. It is about restraining intellectualism and creativity - two traits of human nature that challenge and pose a threat to power structures. It is about making sure that propaganda reigns, and dissent, if any, is silenced.
Take, for instance, Hitler. It is well documented that he made conscious efforts to ban and sabotage the works of renowned artists. The art which did not meet the ideal standards of Aryan society was deemed unacceptable and tagged 'Degenerate Art.'
Along the same lines, during Joseph Stalin's regime, the artists and creatives who defied the Stalinist ideologies were called 'Non-Conformists.' The artists who did not paint the middle-class men working hard and being happy were termed as traitors and enemies of the state.
Dr. Norton Dodge, an American, who worked for the United States in the Soviet Union, became the first to introduce the world to Non-Conformists outside USSR.
Dr. Dodge cunningly exported around 10,000 paintings of Non-Conformist to America, and that's how the art of Ukrainian artist Vachagan Narazyan came into the spotlight.
Vachagan Narazyan (1957), a Non-Conformist and contemporary Russian artist, who now resides in Ukraine, disagreed with the Social Realism style. Instead, his art speaks beyond cultures and timeframes.
His work is historical and futuristic. It is filled with fantastical creatures and elements of doomsday, dystopia, and childhood nostalgia. The muted color palettes speak of a gloomy ambiance.
When I saw his art, it instantly reminded me of a Polish artist Zdzislaw Beksinski. I have written at length about his work.
See this blindfolded naked man, for instance. He carries a set of musical instruments on his shoulders. The wooden drums are visible. Even though he is blindfolded, his facial expressions narrate a different story. What could it be?
The scene is hazy, and the palette colors are subdued and smoky.
The girl stands on a surface, which seems to be her life carousel. A journey symbolizing light, goodness, and strength. In Narazyan's own words -
The girl - she is the angel of the carousel.
This is a carousel of time from a world of visions and theatre.
The surface of the carousel is a giant dial - a countdown back into the
world of childhood, a world of harmony, and an atmosphere of light and
joy.
This is Narazyan's world - dreamy and bizarre. The figures are intentionally obscure and might represent the state of his mind or an experience.
Narazyan says this picture is reminiscent of his childhood - 'Chapiteau.' A circus of his universe where Actors, horses, bulls, and Dames exist together and make an ideal world. He invites the viewer to enter a world where harmony exists.
An equestrian tames a wild horse - a metaphor for the union of male and female energies.
Narazyan defied the idealistic and happy state of Stalin. He constantly painted even when his art was deemed illegal and censored. He narrated the journey of human beings - their dreams, experiences, wilderness, emotions, and social harmony.
On the surface, Beksinski's and Narazyan's styles might look similar. However, in my opinion, although there is a sense of surrealist landscape in both their works, I guess Narazyan isn't necessarily only aiming for a dystopian narrative. Death isn't a recurring theme in Narazyan work. His paintings are also about childhood, love, and nostalgia.
His inspiration is eternal and even more so relevant in these tumultuous times. His art compels us to remember that we still have a chance to see the daylight again no matter what.
I wish Narazyan continues to bring his voice to the world through his paintings.
We need artists like Narazyan not only because they make us whole human beings but also because their ideas act as a protective factor against authoritarianism.
Slava Ukraini!
---------------------------------------------------------
References-
1. THE 2019 VACHAGAN NARAZYAN COLLECTION JAMES YAROSH ASSOCIATES FINE ART GALLERY
2. ARTIST INSPIRATION – VACHAGAN NARAZYAN
---
Here's my latest Youtube video:
About the Creator
Kamna Kirti
Art enthusiast. I engage with art at a deep level. I also share insights about entrepreneurship, founders & nascent technologies.
https://linktr.ee/kamnakirti
Keep reading
More stories from Kamna Kirti and writers in Geeks and other communities.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
‘The Pearl’ is a well-known by under-read classic and, as a teacher, many of my students have absolutely loved it. Not just because it is short, but because it presents a storyline that is interesting and corrupting. Easy to read and easier to analyse, ‘The Pearl’ is one of Steinbeck’s hardest hitting classics with an underlying message about protecting what is actually important. By the end of the book, the reader is left defeated and believing in the wrong thing. The idealism around this book is incredible and it is so dark too. For a long while you are supporting the wrong people, thinking in the wrong way and the whole story becomes one long act of misdirection by Steinbeck to show in a ‘Monkey’s Paw’ fashion why we should never chase wealth and status.
By Annie Kapur20 days ago in Geeks
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson was one of the foremost writers of 20th century horror with praises ranging from the everyday reviewer like myself all the way to legendary horror author Stephen King. ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ is one of the seminal works of 20th century psychological horror with a frame narrative that encompasses all the horror embodied by the main character - Eleanor. Apart from that, we have the researcher, the bohemian artist and the unlikeable heir to the house. As we move through the story, we learn secrets about everything from something the happened involving a hanging and the library holding a book written in blood. As we are reminded that ‘whatever walks in Hill House walks alone’ we are also invited into a book, published in 1959, that went on to become a foundational piece of horror writing and inspired an entire generation.
By Annie Kapur6 days ago in Geeks
Sabotage
Lately I’ve been in a funk where everything can be going right. You know I’m in a happy place talking to who knows, I’m at peace and feel like everything is just going great you know. But once I start seeing that everything is going great for some reason I need to sabotage it. I need to sabotage my happiness and what I have going on in my life so no one else is able to do it for me. Does that make sense? Am I the only one who gets this way?
By Merjaunie Lena4 days ago in Journal
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.