Babinsky

SKIYBABIN IYBABINSK BABINSKIY INSKIYBAB ABINSKIYB ZILLIARD ART FOUNDATION 1

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ALEXANDER BABINSKIY

ZILLIARD ART FOUNDATION 2018

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About Zilliard Art Foundation Zilliard Art Foundation is a private, non-profit institution created to support, implement and manage projects which promote and disseminate art worldwide. We dedicated to fostering emerging artists who are aiming to produce new works, alongside with support provided to artists from previous generations to show them in a new perspective.

Zilliard believes that philanthropy has an essential role to play in addressing the majority of society’s most substantial challenges and that the arts can and should enrich the world. With that conviction, the Foundation promotes a broader understanding of the artist’s legacy by supporting art education programs and making art available to the public through art events, publishing art catalogues for emerging artists and underwriting exhibitions.

The Foundation also provides intellectuals and creatives with a platform for discussion and reflection.

Zilliard engages with friends and patrons from different industries to stimulate awareness and appreciation for arts in institutional and private sectors.

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Infinite Yet a Perfect World Alexander Babinskiy was born in 1964 in Moscow. He enjoyed art history in his younger years but chose a different path professionally.

After more than 25 years in journalism, communications, and PR, Babinskiy held the courage to return to his youth’s passion – painting.

After spending several years’ hard work under the guidance of prominent Moscow masters, Babinskiy amassed outstanding success.

His craftsmanship in abstract expressionism soon earned the praise of colleagues from the Creative Union of Artists of the Russian Federation.

Alexander Babinskiy enthusiastically works with different techniques, preferring acrylic abstractions and non-figurative plasticization via a combination of oil and cold wax medium.

When I first saw his work three years ago, I was amazed by the incredible freedom in both color and composition. He almost always opts for a conscious violation of any balance on the canvas.

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It catches the eye and makes the viewer dive into a complex game of layers and sizes, multiplied by rather striking and challenging color combinations.

Fellow critics note a spontaneous, yet confident play with color in his paintings, as well as a mature balance between form with philosophical and emotional implications. No matter how sporadic the abstractness of his paintings might be, it’s impossible to find a single superfluous stroke. Babinskiy’s masterpieces are infinite in its senses yet wholesome and perfect through the eye of the artist.

We are gifted with a special opportunity to see how his work develops.

Babinskiy’s paintings can be found in a number of private collections in Russia, Europe, and the U.S.

– Michael Hedberg

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Meet the Artist

What are the major themes you pursue in your work?

When you immerse yourself in non-objectivism, the issue of theme ceases to exist. A theme, as such, is always connected with specifics and reality. Even if these specifics are blurred and the reality is otherworldly.

I am moved by what I cannot even express in words. When I work, I do not exist in the environment of familiar meaning, images or themes. If I describe all this with words, I will first deceive myself and then you.

Surely, I also have works that you would not attribute to nonobjectivism, but those are mostly joke-works, like “SI”, “HW”, “IDLY”, “CS”, in this case, the theme could be anything. However, I don’t have many such paintings.

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How did you first become interested in your medium? What draws you to it specifically?

I work with different techniques and especially love acrylic paint for its energy and emotional rage. I am not a very patient and cold-blooded person. Therefore, acrylic paint which requires, as it seems to me decisiveness and baldheadedness, is just for me.

Sometimes I have a desire to work with oil as well. I also appreciate the use of cold wax as a medium. For me, this technique has some inexplicable attracting force. It is difficult to describe it, but oil with wax give some kind of cosmic magic to the painting. Layers, one after another, create a fairytale on a panel in which there is neither a beginning nor an end.

Prior to becoming a painter, you worked in different industry. What made you decide to switch careers?

If we talk about simple things, then at some point in my life I felt that the most important thing a person could have is freedom. Of course, you cannot become completely independent from reality, but the inner freedom is achievable, and it was painting that gave me this freedom. Nothing else can bring such happiness for me.

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How would you describe your style?

Usually, artists do not want to drive themselves into some kind of genre frames, but nevertheless, it would be abstract expressionism.

How has your style and practice changed over the years?

Frankly, I do not remember when exactly I began to work the way I work now. This is all a convention too. Moreover, I myself feel that I am constantly changing over time. I probably do not paint the way I did even a couple of years ago, and I will probably paint in a slightly different way a couple years later from now.

When did I dive into abstract expressionism? Hell if I know‌ Seems to me that I painted in such a way since the beginning. Although, I do remember that I was into conceptualism in the early eighties. Let’s face it, it was also a thing of a fashion back then. However, as my studies at the university ended, due to several reasons I had temporarily parted my ways with painting. Thank God, it was only temporarily.

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What resources are helpful to you as a creative?

Usually, artists do not want to drive themselves into some kind of genre frames, but nevertheless, it would be abstract expressionism.

Can you walk us through your process?

Do you begin with a sketch, or do you just jump in?

How long do you spend on one work?

How do you know when it is finished?

To be honest, there is no particular scenario or system for it. Sometimes an idea comes in advance. Even in a dream. In the morning I try to memorize it, including making some sketches. Although, usually it all changes in the process.

Largely, the main thing is to “rush into battle.� After that, you forget about time. Each work takes different time. Acryl paints due to their nature require quick and decisive actions. Oils drag the process like old blues, whereas working with cold wax can take several weeks.

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Who are some of your favorite artists?

There are a lot of them and they are very different.

From Bosch and the Dutch classics to Claude Monet and the pillars of American abstract expressionism – Pollock, Rothko, Frankenthaler, Motherwell…

I help but mention one of the greatest artists, a visionary of the evolution of painting - William Turner.

Do you prefer to work with music or in silence?

That’s funny. I love music, I like to listen to the radio. Coming to the studio, I always turn something on for myself. However, when the work begins, no matter how loud something would play, I find myself in a state of absolute inner silence. I hear nothing at all until I get out of this vacuum at the end of the work.

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Are you interested in seeing how people react to your work?

Sure. Ambition has never been canceled out.

A man is weak, the artist is even weaker.

How would you describe your work to somebody who hasn’t seen it?

That is what I will not do in order not to rob potential viewers. In this case, they would be limited by some of my own ideas about the works, so why would I do that to them?!

If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?

Probably, it would still be just a white canvas.

By looking at it, I can imagine everything I want. Both, all that there ever was and all that there will be.

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What was the best piece of advice given to you as an artist?

I do not remember a single piece of advice. Or maybe I do not want to remember.

What advice would you give a younger artist?

Do not listen to any advice.

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Oil

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1 Composition “MBP”, 110x110 Oil on canvas 20

2 Composition “PN”, 110x110 Oil on canvas 22

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“When you immerse yourself in non-objectivism, the issue of theme ceases to exist�

3 Composition “VNfK”, 70x97 Oil on wood 26

4 Composition “IDLY”, 120x100 Oil on canvas 28

5 Composition “SBCS”, 110x110 Oil on canvas 30

6 Composition “CIABNO”, 90x110 Oil on canvas 32

“All of it seems to be trifles at first glance, but in fact, these are the most important things�

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7 Composition “SFW”, 50x60 Oil on canvas on cardboard 36

8 Composition “tOD”, 80x160 Oil on canvas 38

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“When the work begins, no matter how loud something would play, I find myself in a state of absolute inner silence�

Oil & Cold Wax

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9 Composition “NTtS”, 90x110 Oil and cold wax on wood panel 44

10 Composition “G”, 60x80 Oil and cold wax on wood panel 46

11 Composition “R”, 60x80 Oil and cold wax on wood panel 48

12 Composition “WYMS”, 30x42 Oil and cold wax on paper 50

“When did I dive into abstract expressionism?

Hell if I know… Seems to me that I painted in such a way since the beginning”

13 Composition “RoY”, 20x26 and 35x120 Oil and cold wax on wood

14 Composition “MS”, 90x110 Oil and cold wax on wood panel 56

15 Composition “SHotS”, 90x110 Oil and cold wax on wood panel 58

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“Layers, one after another, create a fairytale on a panel in which there is neither a beginning nor an end�

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16 Composition “HoaS”, 90x110 Oil and cold wax on wood panel 62

17 Composition “ISU”, 70x100 Oil and cold wax on wood panel 64

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“The main thing is to “rush into battle” After that, you forget about time”

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Acrylic

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18 Composition “tOPP”, 110x130 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 70

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“I love acrylic paint for its energy and emotional rage�

19 Diptych: Composition “B&W”, 2 - 60x100 Acrylic on canvas

20 Composition “TiM”, 110x110 Acrylic on canvas 76

21 Composition “SRM”, 90x110 Acrylic on canvas 78

22 Composition “DAS”, 110x130 Acrylic on canvas 80

“A man is weak, the artist is even weaker”

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23 Composition “CiO!”, 80x160 Acrylic on canvas

24 Diptych: Composition “HW”, 2 - 60x60 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

25 Composition “AHY”, 100x80 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 88

26 Composition “NtOM”, 100x80 Acrylic on canvas 90

27 Diptych: Composition “tM”, 2 - 50x50 Acrylic on canvas on cardboard

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“As my studies at the university ended, due to several reasons I had temporarily parted my ways with painting.

Thank God, it was only temporarily.�

28 Composition “DF”, 50x60 Acrylic on canvas on cardboard 96

29 Composition “CEiS”, 110x110 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 98

30 Composition “LZC”, 110x110 Acrylic on canvas 100

31 Composition “SW”, 110x110 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 102

32 Composition “BR”, 110x110 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 104

33 Composition “SLoN”, 80x90 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 106

34 Composition “MSC”, 100x120 Acrylic on canvas 108

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“At some point in my life I felt that the most important thing a person could have is freedom�

35 Composition “KT”, 70x50 Acrylic on canvas 112

36 Composition “GC”, 120x100 Acrylic on canvas 114

37 Composition “OSaDV”, 100x120 Acrylic on canvas 116

38 Composition “DYST”, 110x110 Acrylic on canvas 118

39 Composition “tV, 50x70 Acrylic on canvas 120

40 Composition “D”, 120x100 Acrylic on canvas 122

“I do not remember a single piece of advice. Or maybe I do not want to remember�

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List of works Oil –1– Composition “MBP” 110x110 Oil on canvas

–2– Composition “PN” 110x110 Oil on canvas

–3– Composition “VNfK” 70x97 Oil on wood

–4– Composition “IDLY” 120x100 Oil on canvas

–5– Composition “SBCS” 110x110 Oil on canvas

–6– Composition “CIABNO” 90x110 Oil on canvas

–7– Composition “SFW” 50x60 Oil on canvas on cardboard

–8– Composition “tOD” 80x160 Oil on canvas

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Oil & Cold Wax –9– Composition “NTtS” 90x110 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 10 – Composition “G” 60x80 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 11 – Composition “R” 60x80 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 12 – Composition “RoY” 20x26 and 35x120 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 13 – Composition “MS” 90x11 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 14 – Composition “SHotS” 90x110 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 15 – Composition “HoaS” 90x110 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 16 – Composition “ISU” 70x100 Oil and cold wax on wood panel

– 17 – Composition “WYMS” 30x42 Oil and cold wax on paper

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Acrylic – 18 – Composition “tOPP” 110x130 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

– 19 – Diptych: Composition “B&W” 2 - 60x100 Acrylic on canvas

– 20 – Composition “TiM” 110x110 Acrylic on canvas

– 21 – Composition “SRM” 90x110 Acrylic on canvas

– 22 – Composition “DAS” 110x130 Acrylic on canvas

– 23 – Composition “CiO!” 80x160 Acrylic on canvas

– 24 – Diptych: Composition “HW” 2 - 60x60 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

– 25 – Composition “AHY” 100x80 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

– 26 – Composition “NtOM” 100x80 Acrylic on canvas

– 27 – Diptych: Composition “tM” 2 - 50x50 Acrylic on canvas on cardboard

– 28 – Composition “DF”, 50x60 Acrylic on canvas on cardboard

– 29 – Composition “CEiS” 110x110 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

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– 30 – Composition “LZC” 110x110 Acrylic on canvas

– 31 – Composition “SW” 110x110 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

– 32 – Composition “BR” 110x110 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

– 33 – Composition “SLoN” 80x90 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

– 34 – Composition “MSC” 100x120 Acrylic on canvas

– 35 – Composition “KT” 70x50 Acrylic on canvas

– 36 – Composition “GC” 120x100 Acrylic on canvas

– 37 – Composition “OSaDV” 100x120 Acrylic on canvas

– 38 – Composition “DYST” 110x110 Acrylic on canvas

– 39 – Composition “tV 50x70 Acrylic on canvas

– 40 – Composition “D” 120x100 Acrylic on canvas

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Our Partners General Partner

With the Support of

Educational Partners

Media Partner

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Thanks Curator Anastasia Liberman Coordinator Vladimir Avdeev Zilliard Art Foundation Vladimir Avdeev Vadim Kurochkin Anastasia Liberman Ruslan Guseynov Texts Anastasia Liberman Ruslan Guseynov Michael Hedberg Foto Matvey Sysoev A special thanks to Nikolay Vorobiev Haik Airapetian Alexander Tseytlin Elena Yanchukova George Ivanyan Evgeniya Slouchak Lada Pestretsova A special thanks goes to Anel Bonvin for her sincere and selfless support of Zilliard Art Foundation

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Edition 500.

Printed at Print Space, Moscow ISBN 978-1-9993321-0-5 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical or otherwise without first seeking the written permission of the copyright holders & publisher Texts Authors Zilliard Art Foundation, 2018 Anastasia Liberman, 2018 Michael Hedberg, 2018 Alexander Babinskiy, 2018 https://art.zilliard.com

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ISBN 9781999332105

9 781999

GBP£69.95

16995 >

332105

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