Ilya Kabakov (1933 - 2023) - photo 1

Ilya Kabakov

Ilya Iosifovich Kabakov (Russian: Илья́ Ио́сифович Кабако́в) was a seminal Russian-American conceptual artist, celebrated for his profound contributions to the art world, particularly through installations that critically examined Soviet life and the broader themes of human existence. Born on September 30, 1933, in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukrainian SSR, Kabakov's early life during the tumultuous World War II era and subsequent education at the V.I. Surikov State Art Institute in Moscow shaped his perspective and artistic expression. His nuanced critiques of the Soviet regime, combined with his exploration of utopian projects—including capitalism—through his art, positioned him as a pivotal figure in the dialogue between Eastern and Western artistic traditions.

Kabakov's partnership with Emilia Kanevsky, who later became his wife, led to a dynamic collaboration that spanned decades, producing influential exhibitions globally, including notable showcases at the Documenta in 1992, the Venice Biennale in 1993, and the Tate Modern in 2017. Their work is characterized by the use of fictional narratives, which often drew upon Kabakov's personal experiences to explore the life cycle of the Soviet Union, positioning it not merely as a failed socialist experiment but as one among many utopian visions susceptible to the authoritarian will to power​​​​.

Throughout his career, Kabakov never shied away from the complexity of the human condition, as evidenced by his installations like "The Man Who Flew Into Space From His Apartment" and "The Toilet," which resonate with viewers for their depth and the universality of their themes. His artworks are part of the collections of prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the State Hermitage Museum, underscoring his significant impact and enduring legacy in the art world​​​​.

Kabakov's death on May 27, 2023, at the age of 89, marked the end of a prolific career that left an indelible mark on the landscape of conceptual art. His work continues to inspire and provoke thought, bridging the gap between personal narrative and global history, and inviting viewers to reconsider their perspectives on society, history, and the role of art in reflecting and shaping human experience​​​​.

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Wikipedia

Date and place of birt:30 september 1933, Dnipro, USSR
Date and place of death:27 may 2023, New York City, USA
Nationality:Russia, USA, USSR
Period of activity: XX, XXI century
Specialization:Artist, Media artist, Sculptor
Art style:Post War Art, Ready-made, Conceptual art, Contemporary art

Creators Russia

Ivan Albertovich Puni (1894 - 1956)
Ivan Albertovich Puni
1894 - 1956
Nikolai Bagratovich Nikoghosyan (1918 - 2018)
Nikolai Bagratovich Nikoghosyan
1918 - 2018
Arcady Sergeevich Vysheslavtsev (1819 - 1889)
Arcady Sergeevich Vysheslavtsev
1819 - 1889
 Pyotr Ivanovich Sokolov (1753 - 1791)
Pyotr Ivanovich Sokolov
1753 - 1791
Vladimir Igorevich Yakovlev (1934 - 1998)
Vladimir Igorevich Yakovlev
1934 - 1998
Igor Sergeyevich Chelkovsky (1937)
Igor Sergeyevich Chelkovsky
1937
Igor' Glebovich Makarevich (1943)
Igor' Glebovich Makarevich
1943
Oleg Nikolaevich Tselkov (1934 - 2021)
Oleg Nikolaevich Tselkov
1934 - 2021
Vladimir Nikolaevich Nemukhin (1925 - 2016)
Vladimir Nikolaevich Nemukhin
1925 - 2016
Gevork Vartanovich Kotyants (1909 - 1996)
Gevork Vartanovich Kotyants
1909 - 1996
Fedor Alexandrovich Modorov (1890 - 1967)
Fedor Alexandrovich Modorov
1890 - 1967
Nikolai Benois (1901 - 1988)
Nikolai Benois
1901 - 1988
Dmitry Dmitrievich Zhilinsky (1927 - 2015)
Dmitry Dmitrievich Zhilinsky
1927 - 2015
Vasily Yevmenievich Savinsky (1859 - 1937)
Vasily Yevmenievich Savinsky
1859 - 1937
Fyodor Fyodorovich Buchholz (1857 - 1942)
Fyodor Fyodorovich Buchholz
1857 - 1942
Eduard Arkadevich Steinberg (1937 - 2012)
Eduard Arkadevich Steinberg
1937 - 2012

Creators Conceptual art

Luis Potosi (1937)
Luis Potosi
1937
Roni Horn (1955)
Roni Horn
1955
Iain Baxter (1936)
Iain Baxter
1936
Natal'ya Igorevna Nesterova (1944)
Natal'ya Igorevna Nesterova
1944
Brigitte Matschinsky-Denninghoff (1921 - 2011)
Brigitte Matschinsky-Denninghoff
1921 - 2011
Carol (Olga Carolina) Rama (1918 - 2015)
Carol (Olga Carolina) Rama
1918 - 2015
Konrad Schmid (1959)
Konrad Schmid
1959
Herta Günther (1934 - 2018)
Herta Günther
1934 - 2018
Don Binney (1940 - 2012)
Don Binney
1940 - 2012
Charles Wilbert White (1918 - 1979)
Charles Wilbert White
1918 - 1979
Jean Delville (1867 - 1953)
Jean Delville
1867 - 1953
Johnny Friedlaender (1912 - 1992)
Johnny Friedlaender
1912 - 1992
Leon Polk Smith (1906 - 1996)
Leon Polk Smith
1906 - 1996
Isaac Aronovich Davidovich (1911 - 1993)
Isaac Aronovich Davidovich
1911 - 1993
Alfred Auguste Janniot (1889 - 1969)
Alfred Auguste Janniot
1889 - 1969
Alexander Ernst Voigt (1981)
Alexander Ernst Voigt
1981
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