Russia's only international fair for contemporary art opened in Gostiny Dvor. You have time to go to the nearest Sunday. September 10 – last day of its work.

Thursday morning was not a real discovery - preview and words for the press. At half past eleven participants were shined, who-то finished hanging the who-то slept before the main opening. However, most of the galleries were already prepared – with the people in the stands with the legends, and who-то already with the authorities. And for good reason. Early in the morning the fair was visited not only by journalists, but the stars. Was the main newsmaker of autumn Andrey Malakhov – not as presenter but as a collector. Took my time, watched him pass though the camera is not allowed. Malakhov, who don't know @- Sam collects, contemporary art feels good and understands it. In particular, it buys not only first names but also artists in the early and mid-career. The morning was Vladislav Flyarkovsky – highly knowledgeable people, a leading TV channel "Russia-Культура". Also watched with interest, not on the run, slowly. Among the famous people on the presentation was attended by Zelfira Tregulova – Director of the Tretyakov gallery.

• Andrey Malakhov on the stand 11.12. Rod – the work of Glory ATRA
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the Director came in the case. This year the fair has established a Fund Cosmoscow, and in support of the artistic process invented to give TG a good job of the modern Russian artist. I decided that this time it will be Andrey Kuzkin is the winner of "Innovation" and "Kandinsky Prize". Many will remember his recognizable sculptures from bread. But the Tretyakov gallery is not presented to them. Tregulova said that the Museum will go directly to three important things: a video recording of the performance "In a circle" (2008), the objects of his most famous installations are "still ahead" and 70 tablets of the project "Right to life" (already have these in Pompidou).

the Best stands at the fair Commission has called the stands of galleries "11.12", as well as projects Shaltai Editions and gallery Snippet. "11.12" – this is where the rod of the glory of the ATRA under which in the first photo is the Malakhov. Will-power and desire – ask them to show "zapasnik" @- a separate place where every fun art-крамола.

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What's with the prices? At first glance @- no overlap. Stands cost the participants in a fairly reasonable amount of money (around 5000 euros for the 25 squares, plus discounts), so they can afford a comfortable price. In principle, with a budget of 600 euros you can afford a recognizable object. Yeah, not objectime and obektik, but it is currently. But in the range of 4000 – 5000 Euro already and will do where to turn. By the way, Cosmoscow is represented not only aktualschikov, but the sixties (Cooper, Vulokh, Oleg Vasiliev, Tselkov, etc.). But it already other money.

According to the organizers (and gallery owners also confirm this), at this time, the participants became almost in 1,5 times more than in the past. To a large extent the increase recorded by foreign galleries. Heard our galleries helped to invite their foreign partners. Really a lot of foreigners come. Well, of course there areall the main galleries of the Winery (XL, Regina, pop/off/art, who moved recently to Fine Art etc.)

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in addition to direct problems for sale on Cosmoscow as always there is a non-profit program. For example, near the lounge breathes a dynamic sculpture Dmitry Kawarga in cooperation with the German artist Alesha. Still, the hall will ride the train from Krasnodar (grouping of ZIP and draft PRINTING, such as-то associated with Abramovich). Well, who art in principle don't like, but the wife dragged – you can buy vodka Beluga and go to admire the Bentley SUV in the far corner. In short, the organizers made sure that visitors were not bored.

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overall first impressions the following. The event is definitely more interesting than last time. And more diverse. Even for those less experienced there is the chance to make an unexpected discovery. For example, really like Vladimir Tryamkin metal, cardboard and wooden abstractions on the wall. Very interesting. It is in the East gallery. Strange that previously the names have not heard.

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Place of Gostiny Dvor, Ilinka street, not much Parking. One can get there tubes not fatal. But to get almost nowhere, it is better taxi or subway. For the unspoiled. This is the first negative. And traditional reproach – not erotic.

seriously, to what-то blame Cosmoscow what-то significant, need to be compared with anyone. In Russia. And in Russia, compare to no one else. In the commercial presentation of contemporary art to other fairs we have still no more. Not expected.

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Vladimir Bogdanov, AI. Photos by the author.