Under the sun of Russian poetry
June 6-8, 2023
Russian House in Tashkent
The exhibition presents two cycles of illustrations to the works of A.S. Pushkin - these are works made in an unusual technique for “Eugene Onegin”, as well as very imaginative drawings for “Little Tragedies”
The exhibition, first of all, presents two cycles of illustrations to Pushkin’s works. These are works made in an unusual technique (mixed technique, monotype, pen, gouache), long recognized as masterpieces for “Eugene Onegin,” as well as very imaginative drawings for the poet’s “Little Tragedies.”
In addition, the Tashkent public is presented for the first time with a series of graphic works-reflections “Walking with Pushkin”, which a year ago was successfully shown within the walls of the State Museum of A.S. Pushkin in Moscow and evoked enthusiastic responses from leading Russian art critics.
At the opening, the artist himself told what Pushkin’s lines and the personality of the poet himself mean in his life. Speaking about the role of the great poet in his development as an artist, Viktor Apukhtin recalls his work on the novel “Eugene Onegin” translated into Uzbek not just as a creative project, but as a symbol of the unification of cultures and peoples through Pushkin’s word:
This union of the translator of the novel Mirzo Kenzhabek and me, as an illustrator, is a symbol of the unity and friendship of peoples. And, I believe that to this day, the Russian language, Pushkin and his work are one of the connecting links between Russia and Uzbekistan. I can say that my creativity is inspired not only by the works of Alexander Sergeevich, but also by him himself as a person. Whatever he said, whatever he did, these are all masterpieces that remain for centuries. If we talk about the exhibition, I will say this: any theater in the absence of an audience ceases to be a theater. Likewise, an artist needs an audience. And now I see that spectators came to the exhibition, they are interested, and I am glad that my “theater” has such a fantastic audience. I'm happy that they liked what I did. Here I show my production, my interpretation of the well-known novel “Eugene Onegin” and “Walking with Pushkin”. That’s the name of my exhibition, and its theme is that I asked myself the question: “How did Alexander Sergeevich find subjects for his works?” and in my light drawings I tried to tell about it.
The exhibition was organized by the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Uzbekistan with the support of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the country.
Publication based on the article by Suriya Magdeeva “Viktor Apukhtin: The Russian language, Pushkin and his work are one of the connecting links between Russia and Uzbekistan” on Information portal PLOV.