Vladimir Mishukov

Polnopolunie

Polnopolunie is a new term that defines an overflowing of creativity for which the scenic space, auditorium or foyer, the city squares or the city itself are inadequate. It is always unlimited and outside the boundaries of anything habitual, static or sanctioned. It extends into everyday life, to people's private lives and relationships. I see Slava Polunin as the inspiration, even the source of this state. Wherever he goes and whoever he associates with -151; everything around him overflows. Artists reach for their paints, musicians their instruments, architects their pencils and actors use their own bodies. Slava finds it interesting to work with anyone. For him there is no limit to creativity. He is able to unite in himself genres that ordinarily bear no connection. He synthesises variety, at first internally, before the jollifications brim over. Although in fact photography is not about this. It is about solitude. About the inner contradiction which may or may not produce a concept of the individual and the world around him, sustained by imagination and contemplation. A concept that may later become a theatre performance. In a sense this exhibition is about Slava. But also about the clown inside every one of us. Two years ago I decided to get better acquainted with his world. I began with photographs of the production SNOWSHOW. Primarily from the wings and not from the auditorium -151; almost from the dark side of the Moon. My images of the audience in the theatre originated from the same idea. When I had amassed enough material from the show I visited Slava at home, suggesting that I take photographs in what you might call his natural environment. I asked him to 'dress up' as a clown. And not to do anything in particular. Just be himself. Keep quiet and think. Potter about, relax. Later I found parallels between my photographs of the show and the portraits taken at home. They corresponded not only in terms of formal characteristics. A story evolved, like an internal history that dictated the way the frames were assembled.

Photographer. Born in Moscow, 1969. Graduated from the Russian Academy of Theatre Art as a stage and screen actor. Worked with design studios, advertising agencies and magazines. Awarded the Silver Camera Grand Prix three times in the'Events and Everyday Life','Architecture' and'Faces' nominations. Received the Art Photo Russia Grand Prix,'Monochrome Photography' category. Granted a scholarship by the Paris Mairie. Has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Russia and abroad. Author of the photo albums'The Return','Cult of the Family' and'Polnopolunie'.