The name ‘Naughty Noughties’ doesn’t necessarily mean that anything you see at this exhibition will reference the current decade in a literal way. Rather it’s unabashed narcissism of performance artist Danila Polyakov that are on display, the noughties products of his post-Soviet youth.
Photographer Alexey Kiselev who has shot for Vogue Russia and L’Officiel Russia, has been working with Polyakov for two years to produce a variety of visual incarnations, through images and video that present Polyakov in different guises all using his body as a language to express himself. Kiselev and Polyakov after publishing their work in a 'Naughty Noughties' book are now exhibiting at the Riflemaker for a week.
Dazed Digital: What was your first impression of Danila Polyakov when you first met him?
Alexey Kiselev: When I met Danila, I thought he was a total bastard. I thought I would never will see him again, because Danila is a disaster - he is always doing something related to deconstruction.... he’s breaking the walls in both dimensions; in people’s heads and in people’s apartments. He has a great power to deal with...
DD: By photographing Naughty Noughties - do you feel like gender re-representation defines this decade?
Alexey Kiselev: When I was doing this book I wasn’t thinking about anything....i had no idea what it was going to be. I think that gender representation defines the humanity in any decade. It’s an endless theme to use…
DD: What is your favourite incarnation or moment captured of Danila out of the whole series of photographs?
Alexey Kiselev: I love the moment when Danila runs into the forest. He looked like an animal...
DD: In the intro to the accompanying book, you say this decade belongs to Moscow - what else creatively do you think Russia is outputting that you find inspiring?
Alexey Kiselev: I think the decade belongs to Moscow first of all because of a high speed...
The life is very fast here as all cultural trends, everything can change here in a second. You never know what is going to happen with this band or with that artist. Moscow is an incredible place where you are doing nothing, but very quickly. I think with lack of any political or cultural stability, Russia outputs a new space of creative freedom. We live in stress of possibilities.
DD: Do you think Russia is finding new creative outlets in this decade?
Alexey Kiselev: Yes, the most new creative outlet is the authentic Slav’s generation. Young boys and girls raised in wealthy families; they are re-interpretating modern culture with a another view.
The Naughty Noughties until June 29 at Riflemaker Gallery, 79 Beak Street, W1
