Artist of the week. Lev Nusberg
ARTinvestment.RU   10 июля 2017

The founder of the group "Movement", the leader of the "Russian kinematical", the talented artist and an outstanding organizer of this summer was 80 years old

Look at archival photos — with technologically avant-garde designs, Lumiere, "mobile" and "decks" — and wonder. How could this occur and exist in the USSR? Yes, let "thaw" in the early 1960-х — early 1970-х. Thaw — is also looking to compare. Cannibalism became less, but the times-то the yard was not "herbivore". In the thaw, if you remember, economic activity has been executed "money changers" roars, Faibishenko and Yakovlev. In 1960-е creative people have been arrested and expelled for "parasitism" (remember the "literature-related drone" Brodsky). In the same "thaw", many artists seriously waited prison after a dressing down from Khrushchev on "the Arena-1962". And punitive psychiatry was no longer a novelty, and earn a "wolf ticket" for suspicion of disloyalty and dissent was easy. In short, the state was very extensive Arsenal of means of pressure on artists and other creative people. So the phenomenon of "kinetic art", becoming a "mover" was, of course, not because of, but in spite of the official doctrine of Soviet culture and art. A new and bold way where-то cunning where-то due to discouraging bullying, where-то because of secret sympathy on the part of thinking people. And of course, thanks to the role of personality in history. The kinets in this sense was lucky. In a country where "these violent few", they took a young and enthusiastic Lev Nusberg. Gathered an army. It is believed that in the time of flowering of the group "the Movement" brings together about 80 people.

for the artistic process meant Nusberg? The exhibition "the movement", held in 2014 in Moscow gallery ArtStory, the artist-кинет Sergey Zorin told the story of how in 1969 the movers Nusberg was preparing an exhibition to commemorate 50-летия of the Soviet circus in the Arena. Retell the story from memory. All hands on deck. Do not have time. Work is proceeding day and night. Nusberg rides around the Arena on the running Board of the truck — gives instructions. Workers, installers are exhausted. Welder says: "no more strength". Nusberg in response to: "do you Have children? Here's 500 rubles. Vari!". And the work continued. The project was, of course, not in the spirit of socialist realism. Sputnik — but were. But there hung what-то "pterodactyl" and other unimaginable things. The day before the opening of the work came to check Melnikov — Deputy sovereign Catherine Furtseva. Looks: "Anti-Soviet! To cut everything! Fire! The police!" The order is given. But Nusberg not confused. An hour until I pulled up the outfit, who should drink, called (to people at the exhibition came a little more)... and Barricaded the arena. The police came — Nusberg not opened. Promised to put all — Nusberg still not opened. Opened police. In The Soviet Union. And it is necessary, to break did not. Perhaps because the morning was waiting for Furtseva that such questions were decided by just herself.

Furtseva came. She was discovered. Around @- robotic sculpture, plays, pantomime, illuminated bas-relief of Lenin, the satellite with the star. For people will not all clear, but Soviet symbolson the spot. And allowed. After that the exhibition was a success for another two months. Not Nusberg take responsibility, give up the slack, obey the lawful demands of the authorities — and all. It would be all down the drain.

and lived, survived, struggled. Where-то adventurous, where-то, may be oppressive, but the group "Movement" lasted about 13 years, during which Russian kinets, made tens of exhibitions. The group gave the history of Russian post-war non-art a few big names. The same Francisco Infante and Viacheslav koleichuk what time worked or were close to the group. And that he Nusberg? Remember how in 2014, former kinetic recalled that the Nusberg in addition to organizational ability was a beautiful hand. As an artist he was appreciated. And is still highly regarded. In the literature, in memoirs, in the memories Nusberg and kinetic art — is a separate big Chapter. Why, then, in the last twenty years Nusberg almost disappeared from sight?

there is a simple explanation. Leo voldemarovich left the USSR too long, over 40 years ago, in 1976. The flow of information about him has turned to a trickle. In the first years of emigration he has held several exhibitions in Western Europe and the USA. But perhaps the break with his environment, subculture, friends, spectators played a role. But started hearing news about the collection Nusberga. The artist managed to find and collect the work of Russian avant-garde, including Malevich drawings. In the end, part of the collection of Nusberg in 2000-х was successfully sold to Russian collectors.

the Market works the kineta Nusberg today remains primarily a dealer and gallery. Original paintings and drawings, which was exhibited on the auctions, can be counted on the fingers (tiraka does not count). The only public sale at the international auctions of the first row — gouache "Japanese flag" in 1962, for which Sotheby's last year gave $5 465. Same current auction record was set at auction in Moscow in October 2016: meter geometric painting in 1962 was sold for $34 845. Work Nusberg at auctions are rare. But fall. In particular, until Friday AI Auction will be sold geometric mascara 1961. Good opportunity for collectors.

Vladimir Bogdanov, AI

What else to read on the topic on AI:

Lev Nusberg — 75!
Nusberg Leo Voldemarovich. Biography
AI: Kinetic in the gallery ArtStory
"motion / half a Century of Russiankinetic art" GALLERY ARTSTORY