“Shagi / Steps” the Journal of the SASH

SHAGI/STEPS 7(4)

Keywords: outer space, Marina Fedorova, memory studies, communication, discourse, narrative, exposition, temporary exhibition, art museum, media, platforms

Abstract: Outer space remains an important cultural symbol in contemporary Russia. The complicated historical heritage of this theme evokes an interest in understanding the artistic strategies of its interpretation and their role in the cultural process. Memorial and cultural traditions, tendencies and their influence on the demonstration and interpretation of outer space in temporary exhibitions of the largest art museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg in the 2000s–2020s are analyzed in the article. An overview of their themes and reception lets us outline key features of representation of the cosmic in curatorial practices. Exhibitions pursue one of the following goals —- nostalgic, prospective, analytical, and realistic. Special attention is paid to the project “Cosmodreams” by Marina Fedorova, an artist from Saint Petersburg. The author analyses narrative construction, project formats, visual aesthetics, communication strategies and the artist’s role in working with the topic of outer space as well as the context and discourse in which the project exists. It is concluded that in “Cosmodreams” Soviet symbolism is eclectically combined with contemporary exposition technologies and communication strategies, which determines the described phenomenon of “aestheticization of memory”. Bringing visual aesthetics to the fore and the lack of Science Art elements in interpreting the theme of outer space in the project reduce perspectives for critical reflection and for development of the theme in the cultural field.

Acknowledgements: The research was carried out within the project “Space in Media Culture: Practices of Imagination and Representation” of the Faculty of Communications, Media and Design, the Higher School of Economics in 2020–2022.

To cite this article: Pravdyuk, A. S. (2021). Outer space as aesthetics? Outer space in art projects in Moscow and St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 21st century. Shagi/Steps, 7(4), 238–260. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.22394/2412-9410-2021-7-4-238-260.