Tell us in more detail about the competition for the Maslenitsa object in Nikola-Lenivets, why did you decide on it, because before that, it was mainly Nikolai Polissky who invented the objects for incineration?
Julia Bychkova: Shrovetide in Nikola is a very popular event, every year it attracts more and more guests. From an irregular holiday it has already become an annual event, and it seemed natural to us to take the preparation for Maslenitsa outside of Nikola-Lenivets and our team. Moreover, open competitions always contribute to the content and image development of the entire project.
How often does Nikola-Lenivets announce contests and residences?
Y. B.: As a rule, we run this or that competition once a year to expand the project and work with various communities.
How are young and talented artists and architects helping to develop the art park?
Y. B.: We work not only with young artists or architects, although, of course, their participation in projects is very important for us. But we are also interested in attracting young representatives of various non-creative specialties, since the boundaries of professions are now blurring more and more, and the brightest idea may arise, for example, from a young skateboarder or IT specialist. Why not? In the context of the competition, we specifically specify that absolutely any people can take part.
Why is it necessary to take part in the competition for the Maslenitsa object, how does this open call differ from others?
Y. B.: I think that the participants, of course, should be interested in the scale of the installation - such a large object, as we are used to erecting in Nicolas, can hardly be done anywhere else - and the opportunity to work with natural material. In addition, in our country, the material base for working out their ideas is not very developed. And, of course, the opportunity to declare yourself at a high professional level.
What special conditions did you put forward for the participants and why?
Y. B.: All conditions are special. For example, the author will have to build a facility together with our locals. And this is not so easy, you need to take into account the local mentality and high construction skills of the people who live and work here. It will be a kind of exchange of experience, an opportunity to show not only creative, but also managerial knowledge. You have to be ready for this. And, of course, we are building an object literally in an open field - this must also be remembered.
Will the winning project be tied to the common Maslenitsa holiday or not?
Y. B.: According to the terms of the competition, the author must come up with not only an object, but also the principle of combustion, and a performance that precedes the burning.
What are your favorite Shrovetide objects from previous years?
Y. B.: My favorite object is Baikonur. We burned it in 2005, as well as the double-headed Firebird, which was first lit in 2008. By the way, this is the only metal object that has not been destroyed, it is still located in Nikola-Lenivets and is sometimes set on fire for other reasons.
Wasn't it a pity to burn so many beautiful works of art?
Y. B.: Nikolay Polissky introduced this tradition back in 2002, when the first hay tower near the Ugra River was burned. He was then guided by the principle of regeneration and reproducibility of ideas in this territory. After art became an economic "foundation" for Nikola-Lenivets, we began to relate differently to the "temporality" of art objects. But on Shrovetide, it's a sin not to burn something that was built specifically for a big fire.
The competition will run until November 24, 2019. You can find out more details and send an application for participation here >>>
