In the hood. Moscow — Bishkek — Yerevan

AJZ space invites you to attend an exhibition of social graphics by Victoria Lomasko, which will take place on August 17th at 7pm.

Victoria is interested in the development of civil society in the post-Soviet space, especially in Russia and in countries with “pro-Russian” politics. Last year, the artist worked in Bishkek for two months, during which she created the graphic report “Journey to Kyrgyzstan” and a series of feminist stencils. Last summer, Lomasko worked in Yerevan for a month, doing research and gathering material for new works. According to the artist, there are no noticeable cultural, political and economic ties between Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. In the social sphere, however, as a result of the strong influence of Russia, the artist noticed many parallels between the two countries: nationalist sentiments, promotion of traditional values, homophobia, contrast between the East and the West, growth of social inequality, etc.

In the face of new laws restricting civil rights, what options does one have for resistance? How is state propaganda organized and how can it be countered? What actions are needed for the success of self-organized initiatives? Here are some of the questions Victoria is dealing with.

During this one-day exhibition, we also plan to have an informal discussion about the topics mentioned above.

About the artist

Victoria Lomasko (b. 1978) graduated from the Faculty of Artistic and Technical Design of Printing Production of the Moscow State University of Printing Arts in 2003.

The artist explores and develops the Russian tradition of graphic reportage (such as “Leningrad Blockade”, “Gulag Concentration Camp” and “War” albums) through writing and teaching. In her graphic works, Lomasko explores contemporary Russian society, particularly the lives of diverse social groups and communities: orthodox believers, LGBT activists, underage prostitutes, migrants, sex workers, and state farm workers. As a graphic reportage artist, Lomasko has collaborated with various media and human rights organizations. She is also the co-curator of two long-term projects: “Drawing the Court” (in collaboration with Zlata Ponirovskaya) and “Feminist Pencil” (in collaboration with Nadia Plungyan).

Lomasko's works have been exhibited both in street exhibitions (ОккупайАбай) and traditional museums (Russian Museum).

Her best-known works include the book of court reports “Forbidden Art” (in collaboration with A. Nikolaev), the series of graphic reports “Chronicle of the Resistance” created during opposition demonstrations, the project “Art Lessons in a Teenage Colony” and the graphic report “Slaves in a Moscow Grocery Store”.

From 2012 to 2014, Lomasko designed the self-published anarchist journal “Volya”.