The symposium brings together major practitioners in contemporary art to pay tribute to the critical and curatorial activities of Joseph Backstein (1945–2024), who promoted contemporary art in and from Russia. He was especially concerned with fostering a relationship with the international art world post-Perestroika. Four panels will discuss different phases of his career and art critic Katy Deepwell, who was married to Backstein for 23 years until his death, will introduce the event.
Backstein’s curatorial work spanned over three decades – from participation in dialogues with Andrei Monastyrski and Ilya Kabakov in the late 1970s, work with Moscow Archive of New Art (MANI) and Collective Actions Group, to publications and exhibitions on non-conformist art and Moscow conceptualism. His innovative curation continued following Perestroika at home, expanding to Europe and the USA in the 1990s. In 1992, Joseph Backstein founded the Institute of Contemporary Art in Moscow, which now carries his name. He also established and acted as commissioner for Moscow Biennales 1–6 (2004–2016).
Leading curators, scholars, artists and art practitioners will discuss Joseph Backstein’s role in different fields, such as curating, art education and art management in Russia and internationally. Sarah Wilson, Emilia Kabakov, Zinovy Zinik, Iara Boubnova, Catherine de Zegher, Jean-Hubert Martin and David Elliott are among those who collaborated with Backstein on seminal international projects and will offer their reflections on his achievements. Former students of Backstein will reflect on the evolution of the contemporary art world in Russia. Alexander Melamid will speak about Backstein’s work with Sots Art.
Elena Zaytseva, an independent curator, is convenor of the conference.
The event will be recorded and shared on the Pushkin House YouTube channel.
For more information about Joseph Backstein, please visit his official website.
Programme:
02.00–02.50pm Key lecture “Joseph Backstein: Curator of Contemporary Art” by Professor Katy Deepwell
After the key lecture the symposium will continue as four consecutive panels, each about 1 hour long. Each contributor will deliver a 10-minute talk, followed by a Q&A at the end of each panel.
02.50–03.30pm I. Long Acquaintances
Chair: Elena Zaytseva
Alexander Melamid – online
Zinivy Zinik – in person
Emilia Kabakov – online
03.30–03.50pm Coffee Break
03.50–04.50pm II. International Curating
Chair: David Elliott
Jean-Hubert Martin – in person
Catherine de Zegher – online
Iara Boubnova – online
04.50–05.00pm Break
05.00–06.00pm III. Moscow Art Scene in 1990–2000s in the International Context
Chair: Denis Stolyarov
Sarah Wilson – in person
Fyodor Pavlov-Andreevich – online
Marat Guelman – in person
Valentin Dyakonov – in person
6.00–6.10pm Break
06.10–07.10pm IV. New Generations
Chair: Denis Maksimov
Katya Sivers – in person
Pavel Otdelnov – in person
Igor Tsukanov – online
Elena Konyushikhina – in person
07.10pm Q&A, Comments and Reception
5A Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2TA