Ivan Maximov’s logo for the video game console “Dendy,” 1992
The logo of a young, anthropomorphic elephant giving the victory sign with his left hand announced Russia’s first game console, Dendy, which became enormously popular between 1992 and 1996.
Shaburov Sasha Christ
The artist Alexander Shaburov (1965-) developed a series of performances about artistic identity, which included both mocking and pastiching the cult leader Marina Tsvigun (aka “Maria Devi Christ”), whose group attempted to seize the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv in 1993.
A Man Who Keeps Up with the Times
An undated 1990s-era piece on David Bowie, focusing on the star’s bisexuality, in the glossy color gay magazine Mal’chishnik (Stag Party).
Ivan Zhaba: Russian Superman
Alexander Shaburov’s 1995 installation, titled “Ivan the Toad [Ivan Zhaba],” engaged with the Western superhero genre through a multimedia hagiography of a Russian superman.
Philosophy at the Margins
A series of philosophical and theoretical texts from Russian and international authors published by Ad Marginem, meant to bring the latest in global thought into newly opened post-Soviet minds.
One-on-One with Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Boris Nemtsov
Alexander Liubimov’s (1962-) talk show, “One on One,” staged debates between public figures who disagreed strongly with each other. When nationalist provocateur Vladimir Zhirinovsky (1946-2022) and liberal reformer Boris Nemtsov (1959-2015) met on air in as the First Chechen War (1994-1996) was just beginning, sparks—and a piece of the set—flew.