Introducing “Berlinograd 1920s” – Column and Art Project by Ani Menua and Ekaterina Koroleva

We would like to introduce our monthly new column which will transport you on fictional journeys into the world of Berlinograd. The column itself is an art project by author Ani Menua together with illustrator Ekaterina Koroleva who will be combining text and illustration to create a world that allows us to meet and speak with Russian artists.

In the Golden Twenties of the 20th century many Russian artists found a haven to present new forms of art to an audience that was both accessible and open. Among them were artists whose genius completely changed and revolutionized the world of aesthetics, such as Marc Chagall, Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich and many more. The term “Berlinograd” describes the Russian Berlin of that era, when almost half a million Russians emigrated to Berlin for political reasons and decisively shaped the intellectual culture of the city. At that time Berlin was often referred to as the “third capital” of Russia. In a very short period, Russian intellectuals had the opportunity to articulate their beliefs and revelled in this freedom. This is a tribute to those times and to the artists.

 

**Text by Ani Menua
*Photo by Beatrice Grundheber