teaching
2022-24
"Collective Drawing" is an important project for me, which emerged in 2022. The aim was to create a unifying space for those who remained in Moscow and, like me, are unsure about how to move forward. These drawing sessions are designed for connection and self-support. They took place in our small gallery, Spaceofunknownplace.
During the sessions, we experimented with various artistic techniques, self-help methods, and body practices, sharing our feelings about the events happening around us. Occasionally, I held short lectures on art as part of the sessions. A portion of the money earned was sent each time to help those affected by the war or to other fundraising efforts, such as the "Region of Care" project by Nyuta Federmesser. The meetings were not always led by me; when I was away, many of my friends facilitated the drawing sessions, and some were co-created with others. For example, my friend Katya and I held a lecture on the physical sensation of a hole in the chest that had recently emerged among us and our acquaintances. We discussed representations of holes in the chest in painting, film, and sculpture, and then together with participants, we traced each other on large rolls of paper and drew how we envisioned our holes in the chest.
Over two years, "Collective Drawing" has formed a small community; some attendees came regularly while others joined occasionally, but almost every time I met new people, most of whom share my values.
During the sessions, we experimented with various artistic techniques, self-help methods, and body practices, sharing our feelings about the events happening around us. Occasionally, I held short lectures on art as part of the sessions. A portion of the money earned was sent each time to help those affected by the war or to other fundraising efforts, such as the "Region of Care" project by Nyuta Federmesser. The meetings were not always led by me; when I was away, many of my friends facilitated the drawing sessions, and some were co-created with others. For example, my friend Katya and I held a lecture on the physical sensation of a hole in the chest that had recently emerged among us and our acquaintances. We discussed representations of holes in the chest in painting, film, and sculpture, and then together with participants, we traced each other on large rolls of paper and drew how we envisioned our holes in the chest.
Over two years, "Collective Drawing" has formed a small community; some attendees came regularly while others joined occasionally, but almost every time I met new people, most of whom share my values.
"Collective drawing" sessions
British Higher School of Design
2022-24
Creative Start” is a career guidance course for teenagers where they explore various artistic professions. The classes I teach include graphic arts, painting, collage, set design, and costume design.
In the 'Stage Design' program, we create costume sketches, make paper masks on wire frames, and paint fabrics. Finally, we film a video showcasing our completed works, with all the kids fully participating.
In the 'Stage Design' program, we create costume sketches, make paper masks on wire frames, and paint fabrics. Finally, we film a video showcasing our completed works, with all the kids fully participating.
“Come to draw” art-studio
2023-24
In the fall of 2023, I began teaching classes at the "Come to Draw" art studio. These collage classes are developed by artists with diverse approaches. The common themes in my lessons include family memory, working with space, and various other topics.
“Stol” inclusive workshop
2024
In 2023, I conducted a couple of master classes at the "Stol" workshop. A year later, we collaborated on another project — a series of lessons (involving other teachers) at our "spaceofunknownplace" gallery. We drew inspiration from the gallery's location, its history, and the sounds of passing trains and the nearby railway station.
This collaboration resulted in an exhibition called "Passing elements".
GES-2, VAC Foundation
2023
There were three types of workshops that I taught: for children, for adults, and for blind individuals. The lesson process included listening to music from around the world and attempting to paint or create wire sculptures based on what we heard. This series of workshops aimed to help participants experience music as a source of support and relief.
The second program was titled “Beyond the Frames.” In this program, the children and I experimented with different forms of self-expression and creativity. We played games and developed stories for our comics, which we compiled and printed. I co-taught the course with comic artist Zhenya Zakharova and curators Vita Khan and Polina Zotova.
The second program was titled “Beyond the Frames.” In this program, the children and I experimented with different forms of self-expression and creativity. We played games and developed stories for our comics, which we compiled and printed. I co-taught the course with comic artist Zhenya Zakharova and curators Vita Khan and Polina Zotova.
photos by Anna Todich
Garage Museum of Contemporary Art
2023
I participated in the "Garage Readings" cycle of workshops, where artists and children read various texts to inspire their drawings. We read a book about gardening and imagined our own gardens as spaces where we could all feel safe and protected.
“Kavardak” art residence
2022-24
During my time at the Kavardak art residency, I served both as a teacher and a camp counselor. My responsibilities included ensuring the safety, daily routine, and psychological well-being of the children, as well as collaborating with fellow educators to conduct workshops. In the "Large Sculptures" workshop, I worked with children aged 10 to 14 on a collective project to create a sculpture exhibition. The sculptures were crafted from tracing paper over wire frames. Additionally, in the shadow theater workshop with children aged 8 to 13, we developed a shadow play by inventing a storyline, designing costumes and sets, and working with sound and text.
"Faneron. Dream City" workshops
"Faneron" is a public art-space free and available for everyone to join and make art.
I gave master classes for people of all ages and taught the “free workshops” classes, where one can realize any creative idea with all of the provided materials and us, teachers, to facilitate.
I gave master classes for people of all ages and taught the “free workshops” classes, where one can realize any creative idea with all of the provided materials and us, teachers, to facilitate.
2022
"Peresvetov" gallery
2022
For this project, I created a series of ten lessons focused on how art practice can be more liberating and how making mistakes can be less intimidating. We made wire and paper objects, created space models inside cardboard boxes, staged a shadow play, and drew imaginary cities and towns.
"Education Center №548 ZILART"
2020-21
Over the course of one academic year, I taught art classes for 5th, 6th, and 8th grade students at School № 548.
I developed an original 'Creative Activity' curriculum, where we practiced diverse art techniques and materials, learned to work collaboratively, created models and collages, and envisioned new worlds to depict through drawing. I also conducted art history lessons.
I developed an original 'Creative Activity' curriculum, where we practiced diverse art techniques and materials, learned to work collaboratively, created models and collages, and envisioned new worlds to depict through drawing. I also conducted art history lessons.
