“The International Exposure of Russian Art in 1957-1991: Social and Historical Analysis of Art Transfers and Circulations, the Case of Soviet Non Official Art””
Contact: vera.guseynova[@]ehess.fr
Research Areas 1 & 2
My doctoral research revolves around the international acknowledgment of a localized artistic movement, specifically focusing on unofficial Russian art from the latter half of the 20th century, which defied the Soviet doctrine of socialist realism. Through an analysis of its artistic and market valuation process, I explore four pivotal reception and dissemination hubs: French, German, Anglo-Saxon, and East European contexts. Leveraging a database of visual artists who challenged state-sanctioned norms of creativity in the USSR during the 1950s and the 1960s, my research work delves into the individual and collective trajectories of these artists. Moreover, it underscores the pivotal role played by a diverse cohort of actors, both domestic and foreign, whose interest in this art emerged during the early stages of the thaw period, actively contributing to its dissemination and legitimization. Continue reading Vera Guseynova – Research & CV
His PhD research focuses on the Italian branch of the international “new left-wing”, appearing after 1956, as an intellectual network and activist groups in periphery of the partisan left-wing. His subject is more precisely connected to the group magazines associated with “Operaismo” or “Workerism”
My dissertation project draws on the observation that the current global society revolves around the highly valued ideal of success. In addition, we can witness the declining ability to resign into passivity or doubt on the one hand, as well as the increasing tendency to lethargy where action proves vital on the other. In the broader scope of my research, I explore the notion of passivity in action, and claim it to be the foundation for living in meaningful relationships with others and the world. Specifically, I adhere to the idea of reinventing the understanding of activity according to its inherent uncontrollability, which appears to be present in each human act or relation. My research embarks from the most common situation, in which controllability is open for observations: from human failure.