the Most famous conceptual artists in the world Ilya and Emilia Kabakov in these difficult days are in his house on long island, approximately 140 km from new York city, where the high statistics of infection COVID-19. The virus changed the schedule of the couple — now they can’t travel as before, but did not affect the life. In the framework of the project “Art of Being” legendary Russian conceptualists told “MK” about his life during a pandemic and shared his thoughts on the current world situation.
Today, Ilya Kabakov is recognized master. One of the founders of Moscow conceptualism, the founder of the genre of total installations, the most expensive Russian contemporary artist in the world (the painting “beetle” was sold in 2008 for a record $5.8 million). But it was not always so. Before emigrating he worked, as stated in the table. Earned the illustration of children’s books and magazines. Large and serious works could only see friends and acquaintances in his now legendary attic Studio on Sretensky Boulevard. There was created the first total installation — not just a picture, and the whole artistic space. A different reality with his sonorous philosophy, inside of which a viewer gets.
In the late 1980s, Ilya Kabakov moved to the States, where he met Emilia Leks. They have sponsored and their spouses and settled in the state of new York. More than 30 years, they do everything together, almost inseparable. Just in these few decades were the most well-known work, Kabakov became much exhibited and received wide acclaim. Their works are shown in major museums around the world, however, now all projects postponed or shelved due to virus.
the couple does not like to give interviews. Particularly telling about everyday. However, we made an exception. To the questions “MK” replied Emilia — Kabakov computer does not use. But, of course, in the presence and with the participation of the husband.
have you Changed today, your way of life? Your and Elias, I mean.
— Now for some strange reason, many museums, cultural organizations and journalists believe that people are interested in the details of the life of the famous (or rich) people. Artists, movie stars, rock stars, millionaires. But when the situation is so radical, does it matter, who are you? I agree that money plays a role: you can be home more and better, you have more opportunities to protect themselves, you don’t have to think about how to pay bills, to buy groceries and where to get them — in other words, HOW to SURVIVE.
…Ilya and I were always one and the same way of life. When we are home and not traveling, it as simple as possible to imagine.
— Tell about your usual daily chart these days.
— Wake up at 6 am. Breakfast. And start to work at 7.30. Sometimes make breaks, during which they just sit and talk or discuss things about work or talking about the political situation, or something else.
currently, since the doctor forbid to work more than four hours, he is freed to 11.30. I cook lunch, we eat, we talk, go for a walk or he goes and I continue to work. Depending on how I feel and how much work remains to be done.
Then each of us reads your book or article, and it turns out that we read together. He never even touches the computer. And I work — participate in conferences, respond to emails, check our projects, writing concepts for new projects and proposals. Now I write the text, and Ilya is reading upstairs in the library.
Dinner at 5 o’clock. After a look at the news, maybe a movie.
States of emergency have an influence on your life? What you people recommend?
When we traveled, it was different. But the only difference that we could work in a Museum gallery or in public space on an installation or a project from 8.00 to 20.00 (and sometimes longer if necessary). This was our schedule and our lives for more than 30 years.
to Be isolated means not only to be deprived of social life. For us it’s mostly the inability to see children and grandchildren. To know how fast they grow, and to be able to watch them and to chat in Skype? It’s not enough.
My daughter is a PhD in genetic engineering and Microbiology and is currently working on the development of a vaccine together with other scientists. Perhaps they’re getting close. We hope.
I hate it when people start talking about some conspiracy about the dangers of vaccines. They understand that millions will die if we all don’t get vaccinated? Why are they so sure that they themselves will survive? The virus anyway, you’re rich or poor, white or black, blue or yellow. And even no matter you are old or young. Without vaccination we will all be in danger for many years.
in the meantime let’s read books, listen to music and just spending time with family and friends (thanks to the Internet). This is what Ilya just now.
