Rostan Tavasiev’s project belongs simultaneously to the material world and virtual reality. Seven plush toys – dyed in the colours of the rainbow – as well as another, secret character-projection are the protagonists of an existential “reality show”. For a number of “seasons” already they take part in exhibitions, while actively using Facebook. Each of them has a personal account with a curious name and an impressive amount of online friends. From the characters' regular posts, we can find out everything about their boisterous social, intellectual and creative lives. Not only are they chatting with each other, ready to react on events in their own show (and discuss the viewers), but they are happy to share thoughts on the latest news and witty art-theoretical considerations. Judging by their feeds, they take walks in other museums and establish prizes, create paintings and curate exhibitions, deliver lectures on art and record music albums.
Endowed with a will, a unique “voice” and temperament, the cute teddy-bear characters of Tavasiev dismantle the stereotype that works of art are tacitly passive objects, completely subdued to the gaze and critical judgment of the spectator. They remind us about a whole tradition of artifacts seemingly speaking in first person – providing information about their author, expressing requests, pleas or angry admonitions. Such as the Roman statue of Pasquino that makes comments on current social events and denounces the injustice of the authorities by means of its written epigrams (updated on its pedestal since the 16th century). Using the communication technologies popular in our own day, Tavasiev points to the fundamental ability of art to affect people’s lives. And it remains to be seen, who (or what) shall have the last word in this discussion.
Anna Arutyunyan, Andrey Egorov
