Anton Solomoukha
Encyclopedia
Anton P. Solomoukha ( born on November 2, 1945 in Kiev
, Ukraine
then part of the USSR) is a French artist and photographer of Ukrainian extraction, and a foreign member of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts. Since 1980, he has specialized in narrative figuration. Since 2000 he has developed photo projects. known as the inventor of a new form of expression in contemporary photography: “Photo painting”. In it he associates the photographic image with pictorial research in tableaux frequently requiring a multitude of models.
. In 1943 following the liberation of Ukraine he was given the job of recruiting and organizing the training of teachers in a department under the Secretariat of N.S. Khrushchev
, who later became the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. His mother, Galina von Krigin, was a teacher.
After completing his secondary education and doing his military service, Anton entered Faculty for the Restoration of Icons in The Kiev School of Fine Art. It was here that he familiarized himself with philosophy and religion.
In 1971 Anton Solomukha was admitted to the studio workshop of the academician T. Yablonska and in 1973 he obtained a diploma as a ‘Monumentalist’ painter.
His vision of the world was influenced by Masters like the stage designer Misha Frenkel, the director Sergei Parajanov, the writer Viktor Nekrasov
, etc.
In 1971 his daughter Kristina Solomoukha was born.
Between 1975 and 1978 his dissident creative expression attracted the attention of the political censors and he was summoned to appear before the KGB
on several occasions.
In 1978 he finally succeeded in immigrating to France. He has lived and worked in Paris ever since.
A voyage to the United States in 1978—1980 proved to be a decisive moment in his artistic career.
In 1980 he exhibited in New York
, Boston
, Cleveland, Washington
and Philadelphia.
In 1981, 1982, 1983 he was invited by the violinist Gidon Kremer
, to be the stage designer in the Festival of chamber music in Lockenhaus
, Austria
(Lockenhauskamermusikfest).
The influence of classical music, and his contact with renowned musicians left its mark in the work he did during this period.
In 1985, the project “the Great Myths” drew the attention of Cologne gallery owner Thomas Krings-Ernsta and he exhibited there regularly until 1989.
In 1988, two paintings were acquired by Cologn’s Ludwig Museum for its “French Collection”.
Until 2002, important projects in the painting of Solomoukha, like “Boxers”, “Mechanical Toys”, “the Myths and the Limits” and “Jazz” were characterized by the formal search for ways of expression through the opposition of different structures of thought and by his obsession for paradox
. His ideological, aesthetic and ethical positions were formed under the influence of the French art critic Bernard Lamarche-Vadel and Michel Enrici.
The series of paintings "Allegory
" 1979-2002 was much more figurative and picturesque. Citation of works of Baroque, search for the heroes and anti-heroes, based on the major composite structures, were undergoing constant change, often under the influence of the photographic image.
In search of new expressive means, a new visual language Solomoukha-painter more often use photograph
. In 1990, he got acquainted with Robert Doisneau
. In 1995, for a long time Solomukha is working on drawing with Henri Cartier-Bresson
. Both acquentances strongly influenced Anton's decision to devote himself to photography which since 2002 has become his principal sphere of creativity.
The first series; “The girl with the cup-and-ball”, “The Sex of Angels”, “I Fuck Your TV” are characterized by the choice of a closed space and a dark background. He uses mirrors, as ‘a complementary character’ for the construction of a subject, ironic or poetic, inspired by historical myths and the biblical subjects.
His obsession with these projects has evolved into a rejection of temporal social topics. His relationship with painting appears more and more and was the principal theme of a series of photo compositions in the monumental style: “Little Red Riding Hood
visits the Louvre”.
Although these big square “panoramic” compositions are technically photographs, in reality they are projected and constructed as if they were painted pictures.
“Photo-painting” has a role to play in the creation of a new contemporary art form.
‘The photographic ‘paintings’ of this series are theatrical. The backgrounds are dark. The foregrounds are filled by actors: characters from the streets of Paris interposed with naked models, animals and elements of still life. An infinite number of small objects are strewn on the ground and cover the walls.
The theatrical tableaux style of this collection enabled the artist to break with the traditional photographic image and create a paradoxical metaphysical space. In them, each character, as in an opera, plays a part while remaining an independent element, related to the other characters only if the artist wills it!
In 2009 Anton Solomoukha continues to refer to classical art in his project “Little Red Riding Hood
visits Tchernobyl”.
His preference for “ironic allegory” allows him to create works in a form reminiscent of paintings in the Louvre, morbid scenes of the Tchernobyl catastrophe.
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
then part of the USSR) is a French artist and photographer of Ukrainian extraction, and a foreign member of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts. Since 1980, he has specialized in narrative figuration. Since 2000 he has developed photo projects. known as the inventor of a new form of expression in contemporary photography: “Photo painting”. In it he associates the photographic image with pictorial research in tableaux frequently requiring a multitude of models.
Biography
Anton's family was a part of the Soviet intelligentsia. His father, Pavel Davidovich Solomoukha, was a veteran of the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1943 following the liberation of Ukraine he was given the job of recruiting and organizing the training of teachers in a department under the Secretariat of N.S. Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
, who later became the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. His mother, Galina von Krigin, was a teacher.
After completing his secondary education and doing his military service, Anton entered Faculty for the Restoration of Icons in The Kiev School of Fine Art. It was here that he familiarized himself with philosophy and religion.
In 1971 Anton Solomukha was admitted to the studio workshop of the academician T. Yablonska and in 1973 he obtained a diploma as a ‘Monumentalist’ painter.
His vision of the world was influenced by Masters like the stage designer Misha Frenkel, the director Sergei Parajanov, the writer Viktor Nekrasov
Viktor Nekrasov
Viktor Platonovich Nekrasov was a Russian writer, journalist and editor.-Biography:Nekrasov was born in Kiev and graduated with a degree in architecture in 1936. Between 1937 and 1941, he was an actor and set designer with the Kiev Russian Drama Theater...
, etc.
In 1971 his daughter Kristina Solomoukha was born.
Between 1975 and 1978 his dissident creative expression attracted the attention of the political censors and he was summoned to appear before the KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
on several occasions.
In 1978 he finally succeeded in immigrating to France. He has lived and worked in Paris ever since.
Painting
Between 1978 and 1980, he began a period of experimentation of various techniques and types of aesthetic formulas.A voyage to the United States in 1978—1980 proved to be a decisive moment in his artistic career.
In 1980 he exhibited in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Cleveland, Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and Philadelphia.
In 1981, 1982, 1983 he was invited by the violinist Gidon Kremer
Gidon Kremer
Gidon Kremer is a Latvian violinist and conductor. In 1980 he left the USSR and settled in Germany.-Biography:Kremer was born in Riga to parents of German-Jewish and Latvian-Swedish origins. He began playing the violin at the age of four, receiving instruction from his father and his grandfather,...
, to be the stage designer in the Festival of chamber music in Lockenhaus
Lockenhaus
Lockenhaus is a town in the district of Oberpullendorf in Burgenland in Austria.- History :The town was part of Hungary since the foundation of the kingdom in the year 1000. Since 1898 the name Léka had to be used because of the Magyarization by the government in Budapest...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(Lockenhauskamermusikfest).
The influence of classical music, and his contact with renowned musicians left its mark in the work he did during this period.
In 1985, the project “the Great Myths” drew the attention of Cologne gallery owner Thomas Krings-Ernsta and he exhibited there regularly until 1989.
In 1988, two paintings were acquired by Cologn’s Ludwig Museum for its “French Collection”.
Until 2002, important projects in the painting of Solomoukha, like “Boxers”, “Mechanical Toys”, “the Myths and the Limits” and “Jazz” were characterized by the formal search for ways of expression through the opposition of different structures of thought and by his obsession for paradox
Paradox
Similar to Circular reasoning, A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition...
. His ideological, aesthetic and ethical positions were formed under the influence of the French art critic Bernard Lamarche-Vadel and Michel Enrici.
The series of paintings "Allegory
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
" 1979-2002 was much more figurative and picturesque. Citation of works of Baroque, search for the heroes and anti-heroes, based on the major composite structures, were undergoing constant change, often under the influence of the photographic image.
Photograph
In the search for new means of expression, a new visual language, the painter Solomoukha is attracted more and more by photography.In search of new expressive means, a new visual language Solomoukha-painter more often use photograph
Photograph
A photograph is an image created by light falling on a light-sensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic imager such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are created using a camera, which uses a lens to focus the scene's visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of...
. In 1990, he got acquainted with Robert Doisneau
Robert Doisneau
Robert Doisneau was a French photographer. In the 1930s he used a Leica on the streets of Paris; together with Henri Cartier-Bresson he was a pioneer of photojournalism...
. In 1995, for a long time Solomukha is working on drawing with Henri Cartier-Bresson
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism. He was an early adopter of 35 mm format, and the master of candid photography...
. Both acquentances strongly influenced Anton's decision to devote himself to photography which since 2002 has become his principal sphere of creativity.
The first series; “The girl with the cup-and-ball”, “The Sex of Angels”, “I Fuck Your TV” are characterized by the choice of a closed space and a dark background. He uses mirrors, as ‘a complementary character’ for the construction of a subject, ironic or poetic, inspired by historical myths and the biblical subjects.
His obsession with these projects has evolved into a rejection of temporal social topics. His relationship with painting appears more and more and was the principal theme of a series of photo compositions in the monumental style: “Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, also known as Little Red Cap, is a French fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings....
visits the Louvre”.
Although these big square “panoramic” compositions are technically photographs, in reality they are projected and constructed as if they were painted pictures.
“Photo-painting” has a role to play in the creation of a new contemporary art form.
‘The photographic ‘paintings’ of this series are theatrical. The backgrounds are dark. The foregrounds are filled by actors: characters from the streets of Paris interposed with naked models, animals and elements of still life. An infinite number of small objects are strewn on the ground and cover the walls.
The theatrical tableaux style of this collection enabled the artist to break with the traditional photographic image and create a paradoxical metaphysical space. In them, each character, as in an opera, plays a part while remaining an independent element, related to the other characters only if the artist wills it!
In 2009 Anton Solomoukha continues to refer to classical art in his project “Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, also known as Little Red Cap, is a French fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings....
visits Tchernobyl”.
His preference for “ironic allegory” allows him to create works in a form reminiscent of paintings in the Louvre, morbid scenes of the Tchernobyl catastrophe.
Museums
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Mons (Belgique)
- Peintures Françaises du Musée Ludwig (Allemagne)
- Leopold Hoesch Museum (Allemagne)
- Musée d’Art moderne (Sarajevo, Bosnie)
- Musée Cosmo Hôtel (Hong-Kong, China)
- New York Academy of Art (NYC, USA)
- Fondation Dosne -Thiers (France)
- Rally Museum (Israël)
- Musée Norton Dodge (Maryland USA)
- NCCA National Center for Contemporary Arts, (Moscow, Russia)
- UIMA Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (Chicago, USA)
- Musée d' Art Modern d’Ukraine (Kiev, Ulraine)
External links
- Artmajeur
- Anton Solomoukha at Pascal Polar gallery, Brussels, Belgium
- Fine Art TV
- Интернет Дневник Про Культуру
- Photography Magazine Eyemazing
- Festival Européen de la Photo de Nu
- Art 208
- Photosapiens
- MonsieurPhoto
- Uno de los Nuestros
- Saatchi on-line Gallery
- Eyemazing Editions
- Black Square Gallery, Miami, USA