Distress

The participants of D I S T R E S S embarked on their artistic careers at the same time and in the same place. They were all born in Moscow, are of the same age, culture and background Today, more than a decade later, these same artists, now in different parts of the globe, continue to share the same hesitations, fears and pre-occupations over the condition of the world as a whole and the world of the émigré. This engages them all, once again – in a state of apprehension, distress and vulnerability – symptoms of trying to adapt to a new and, oftentimes, uninviting reality. Each artist elaborates on a particular theme – one that is most sensitive and distressing to the individual artist. Pavel Feinstein exhibits still lives with enveloped fish. Tatyana Yanovskaya conveys her concern over our children’s future by painting them on bottles and proposing a toast to their health. Ekaterina Kornilova develops new forms of defense dressing. Leah Zarembo suggests different ways to use a gas mask in private life. Michael Yahilevich draws new types of shelters behind protective walls. Inna Entina portrays a new “exodus” this time from Israel. Pjotr Sapegin exhibits his animated film, which retells the past and predicts the future of humankind at the brink of war.