Syntax Gallery
Artwork


LIUDMILA KONSTANTINOVA
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PAINTINGS FOR THE HOLES. THE PALACE


aBOUT
The future wait you here
Liudmila Konstantinova’s paintings raise questions about the assumed purpose and meaning of contemporary art. Paintings for Holes is an installation comprising 17 rectangular, monochromatic painted canvases of various sizes, hung on the gallery wall in an arrangement that at first look resembles a modernist grid. In fact, the colour block set up is reminiscent of a certain time in Soviet history – of Malevich’s geometric compositions, of Russian constructivism – and of its influence on the graphic design of movements such as the Bauhaus and De Stijl.

The artist wanted “to make a series of paintings that could be useful for different people”. Catering to the lowest common denominators of acceptability – and bypassing any sticky controversial subject matter or format issues – she made canvases in all shapes, sizes and painted them in clear flat colours so that everyone could find “their own”; but crucially, they’re all essentially as blank as each other.

As their title implies, the paintings were also made with another specific purpose in mind: they can be used to hide any imperfections on a wall, like cracks, paint marks or dead mosquitos. They can be arranged as desired, like modular shelving or an occasional table. Konstantinova’s proposal for art today is more utilitarian chic prop than revolutionary.

A web application is developed specifically for the 'Fictional Landscapes', where artwork is shown, is designed to reveal the essence of the piece and the artist's intention.
LIST OF PAINTINGS

  • Burgundy - théâtre, 60x30 cm
  • Gray - negotiations room, 60x40 cm
  • Blue - ice palace, d=60 cm
  • Coral - first aid room, 150x10 cm
  • Blue-black - deprivation room, d25 cm
  • Bronze brown - hunter's hut, 85x20 cm
  • Gray-yellow - children's area, 40x40 cm
  • Bright yellow - casino, 40x40 cm
  • Red - flag room, d15 cm
  • Mother-of-Pearl - spa zone, d40 cm
  • Vivid green - garage, 10x20 cm
  • Nude - master bedroom, 120x20 cm
  • Black square - hookah bar, 25x25 cm
  • Light blue - aqua disco, 85x20 cm
  • Olive - mud room, 45x20 cm
  • Lilac - maid's room, 40x30 cm
  • Flesh color - fur coats storage, 10x20 cm
LIUDMILA KONSTANTINOVA

Graduated from Moscow Architectural Institute and the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA, Moscow). For a long time Konstantinova illustrated various publications and participated in exhibitions. In 2010 she became a member of the VGLAZ art group, and has been participating in Group exhibitions with VGLAZ as well as solo exhibitions. Konstantinova's works can be found in the collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow), Saatchi Gallery (London) and numerous private collections all over the world. Lives and works in Moscow.