At the moment we experience a transformation of our collective from collective into self-managed institution and undertake all the risks connected. In a Russian situation where we have to struggle at all “fronts” we do not have any local financial support but at the same time our work is very well recognized internationally and we need to canalize our support from international art circulations into sustainable local activity which could form and influence our circle. And it is important that we do not want to limit ourselves to the narrow ghetto of the art world – for us it is very important that our works that are formally produced as artistic activity are stepping out and reach a broader public and gain its true educational value.
I manage to survive recently as an artist and a teacher. I teach a lot as a guest at many international art institutions and participate in many seminars and conferences; also I get fees for publications. But without accidental sellings (me and Chto Delat do not have a gallery, and we distribute our work under creative common license – this is very important principle for our activity but makes the commercial situation very unstable) of art work me and my family could not survive.
But at the same time I think that it is important to mention that we are trying to reduce all possible costs of living and most of the expenses of our household is for our child. I am also getting money for a regular everyday and technical activity to maintain our institutional structure; I layout and produce newspapers, I maintain the web activity (site and blog together with other people who are paid) and organize and care on the alternative system of distribution. At the same time I think that it is part of the art work and I do not separate “pure” art from related things because they are all connected and influence each other.
But at the same time I think that it is important to mention that we are trying to reduce all possible costs of living and most of the expenses of our household is for our child. I am also getting money for a regular everyday and technical activity to maintain our institutional structure; I layout and produce newspapers, I maintain the web activity (site and blog together with other people who are paid) and organize and care on the alternative system of distribution. At the same time I think that it is part of the art work and I do not separate “pure” art from related things because they are all connected and influence each other.
26.01.2010
