Original artwork description:

The choice is always yours.

Series: Progressorism Project – Research: The topic of progressorism has intrigued me since my youth, from the time I first read the books of the Strugatsky brothers, who introduced this concept to the world. According to the Strugatskys, progressors are representatives of highly developed intelligent races, whose duty is to assist the historical progress of civilizations at a lower level of social development. In other words, progressors are those people/ humanoids who impose their worldview on weaker civilizations. This can take the form of gifts in the shape of new knowledge, new technologies, as well as endowing their protégés with superabilities at the genetic level; meanwhile, it is likely that the protégés lose their identity and unique traits.

Is this really necessary for the more backward civilizations? Should they not be allowed to progress at their own pace? Are worlds created as if by a template, even if they are intelligent, high-tech, and humane, truly needed?

If we look at this theory through the lens of world history and correlate it with various events occurring at different periods on our planet, the influence of "progressors" runs like a red thread throughout. For instance, the imposition of one's “world order” by more developed countries upon third-world countries under the slogan: “Happiness for all and each, and let no one be left unhappy.”

In this project, I invite the audience to ponder whether we/they need progressors. Is outside influence always justified? I do not provide answers; I propose questions for discussion and open a portal to the issues associated with an interdisciplinary approach to understanding this topic.

Selected Exhibitions:
2025 SberUniversity, Moscow, Russia
2024 “A Word About the Russian Heart” Festival, Beijing, China
2024 ArtExpo New York 2024, New York, USA
2024 La Pigna Gallery, Rome, Italy
2024 ArtPlay Moscow, Kvartiras Gallery, Moscow, Russia
2024 Pavlodar City Museum, Kazakhstan
2023 Shanghai International Art Fair (SIAF), Shanghai, China
2023 «Zdes na Taganke» Gallery, Moscow, Russia
2022 ArtDom, Winzavod, Moscow, Russia
2021 Kibart, Moscow, Russia
2021 International Exhibition Competition Of Futuristic Art, Moscow, Russia
2021 Artplay, Moscow, Russia
2021 Finalist, Russian Art Awards, Moscow House Of Artists, Moscow, Russia
2021 International Exhibition “SCOLKOVO Plaza ArtShow”, Moscow, Russia
2021 Art Cosmos, Evraziya Gallery, Moscow, Russia
2021 Online Exhibition & Competition «Sbornaya Solianka», Alipova Gallery, Moscow, Russia
Collections:
2023 Lucy Chebotina Charity Auction, Private Collection, Moscow, Russia
Publications:
Art MUSE Magazine, "Art Survey" column, Russia

Materials used:

acrylic, watercolor, silkscreen

Tags: