PRESS RELEASE
21 April, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“The Member”: A Very Short 3-Act Performance at the Russian Pavilion, Venice Biennale
Concerning Ukraine and World Peace
59th Venice Biennale 2022
10.40am (circa), Friday 22 April, 2022
In the vicinity of the Russian Pavilion, Giardini, Venice
“The Member”: A Very Short 3-Act Performance at the Russian Pavilion, Venice Biennale
Concerning Ukraine and World Peace
This short three-part performance in front of the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale holds up an absurdist mirror to the horrific threat emanating from the Russia of Vladimir Putin.
Aleksey Yudnikov was born and raised in Ukraine, but made his name as an actor in Moscow – at the famed oppositional Teatr.doc among others. In more ways than one, Yudnikov follows in the footsteps of his compatriot Nikolay Gogol, the Ukraine-born literary giant who made his fame in the capital of the Russian empire of the 19th century.
Expect a performance inspired and as incisive as the “The Nose” by Nikolay Gogol – which serves as its inspiration and model – in which the lowly official Major Kovalev wakes up one morning to find his nose has made itself independent of his face, and established itself as an official of high rank.
First, however, picture the figure of Fantômas, the sinister underworld genius of French cinema, popular in Soviet times. Fantômas appears not as the usual villain, but as a victim who asks the audience to listen to his problems, as if at a session of group psychology. He has truly horrific and truly embarrassing sexual problem. He is unsure whether he can regain his lost manhood. Worse, he does not know whether he actually wants it back!
His out-of-control manhood has gained independence, attached itself to a Russian “Gopnik” in sweatpants and an alcoholic’s tank-top with a gold chain.. This horrific thug postures in a squat, threatening the whole world with nuclear war…
Aleksey Yudnikov is an Artists at Risk (AR) Resident at AR-Safe Haven Helsinki, after escaping Russia in late March, 2022.
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