museum of non-imaginary stories 2023


Photograph: Anastasia Korostelkina

about

"museum of non-Imaginary stories" is honoured to present the works of russian-speaking dissident artists who have resettled in France following the beginning of the russian full-scale Invasion of Ukraine.

One and a half years into this war, these artists have transformed their initial shock into a powerful drive to share their sensitive visions and personal experiences with audiences in their new host country. The exhibition features a diverse group of artists spanning various generations and disciplines, including dramaturgy, video, sound installation, and performance, all unified by their dissent against the policies of the current Russian regime. Curated by a duo of commissioners, this exhibition showcases the creations of nine artists and visual or sound creators who engaged in a three-month residency at the TNG.

This is the essence of international cooperation in times of geopolitical crisis. It is also our role to seek to preserve freedom of expression wherever it is threatened. We hope that the free speech and testimonies of these artists will not only allow these political exiles to resume their artistic work but also enable them to express their solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Beyond the unspeakable, the irreparable, and the irreconcilable, behind the decisions and actions of certain criminal heads of state, there are always individuals, independent and capable, on their own scale, of defending the universal values of Humanism. Ultimately, it is in these small acts of resistance that hope resides.

prefrace by Joris Mathieu, director Théâtre Nouvelle Génération — CDN Lyon

credits

Curation and conception:
Artem Arsenian
Nika Parkhomovskaia

Visual and sound space:
Eldar Karkhalev
Ksenia Marokkanskaya
Daniil Koronkevich
Graphic design studio Holystick

Artists:
Alexandra Poldi
Vika Privalova
Esther Bol
Georges Bogachev
Alexey Nadzharov
Shamil Shaaev

With participation of:
Marion Talotti
Vincent Hermano

Production:
Théâtre Nouvelle Génération — Centre dramatique national de Lyon
In the framework of Festival Sens Interdits

With support of:
Institut Français
National emergency reception program for scientists and artists in exile “PAUSE” (France)
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of France

In partnership with
Resistance theatre platform


Photograph: Anastasia Korostelkina
Photograph: Anastasia Korostelkina
Photograph: Anastasia Korostelkina
Photograph: Anastasia Korostelkina
Photograph: Anastasia Korostelkina