Art and war: projects of contemporary Saint Petersburg artists-academics for the eightieth anniversary of the Great Victory

Abstract

Contemporary Saint Petersburg academic artists often explore the theme of war and victory, not simply by retelling historical events, but by expressing their personal attitudes towards the past. They draw on the memories of their fathers and grandfathers, recalling their stories about the war and the tears of their mothers and grandmothers. Emotions take precedence over narrative in their works. The pain of loss, fear of oblivion, and anxieties about current events are palpable in the works on the war theme, revealing a connection between past and present. In contrast to the heavy feelings about the war theme are reflections on human courage, patriotism, heroism, loyalty, and the beauty of the homeland. The artists showcase a range of emotions, from pain and suffering to feelings of purification and emotional relief. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, the depiction of war in art has once again become relevant. This article examines the works, primarily created in the 21st century, of contemporary Saint Petersburg academic artists such as A. Novosyolov, F. Ivanov, R. Yakhikhanov, V. Kadjaev, I. Zhuravlevlev, Ch. Gugkaev, I. Zorkin, and others. The methods of included observation, interviews, figurative-stylistic analysis, and comparative art analysis were used to study these works. One of the largest projects of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts was an exhibition in the Komi Republic, which showcased a diverse range of works by Saint Petersburg artists on the theme of war. The exhibition demonstrated various approaches to this theme. It was concluded that there is a need to further explore the theme of the memory of the Great Patriotic War and to understand the global issues of war and peace through the works of artists from different generations. Modern art projects that bring together different forms of art and artists can not only convey fundamental humanistic ideas to viewers, but also address pressing contemporary issues, draw important historical parallels, highlight the courage and heroism of people from different generations, emphasize the importance of universal values, and unite representatives from diverse cultures.