(Thursday, July 6, 2023)
I decided to walk to the Museum of Russian Art today. I’ve been worried about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Zelenskyy says Russia is planning to trigger an explosion. The exhibit, which ends on Sunday, is phenomenal and emotionally overwhelming. On the first floor is a huge exhibit called “Premonition of a Russian Dystopia.” The second floor exhibits are “Ukraine Defiant” and “Say No to War.”
“Premonitions of a Russian Dystopia” paintings are by Geli Korzhev (1925–2012). His work follows the path of Hieronymus Bosch in an attempt to capture humanity’s darker side, its shadow. Thirty years ago Korzhev said, “Our country is being occupied by spiritual enemies. Behind a civilized appearance, one can see a beast full of hate.” The museum curator mentions Jung and says on a societal level, ignoring the shadow and displacing it to the outside leads to wars.
“Ukraine Defiant” is by architect Elena Kalman. “Say No to War” displays small, powerful cartoons by numerous Ukrainian and Russian artists. Many draw Putin as Satan.