But he is ours. From Kherson. Hanging out with us. Living in one of the local “hellish” neighborhoods. Not snobbish. And he could lazily flick ash on the heads of Manhattan residents. For example. But no, for now the (ash) falls on our knees and (not) expensive shoes.

So, how to calm hearts greedy for apocalyptic news before the New Year? An interview with him, the master of the ballpoint pen and highly artistic smudged “rags.” While we were pondering how to get closer to Volyazlovsky, he was kidnapped for another “cultural event.” Karas Gallery lured him to their anniversary exhibition of the “A4, ballpoint pen” project. 10 years – not a small feat. And the highlight of the event – Volyazlovsky’s personal exhibition “Libertage.”
Read about the history of the “A4, ballpoint pen” project here.
Part 1
Conversation about the main thing 

– Ukrainian art publications link your work to the achievements of a certain notorious defiler of foundations and overthrower of morals. I quote: “video art that resonates with the philosophy of Marquis de Sade.” Is it really “resonates”?

– Well, kind of yes. However, the idea is not mine, unfortunately. The name for the exhibition was suggested by Alexander Zakletsky, a gallery employee. He called me and explained what libertage is. Of course, I am a person of sexually uninhibited morals. Well, how to put it… a dreamer. But in terms (unlike practice) I am weak – I don’t always know what is called what. For example, I only recently discovered the word “anilingus.” Before that, I called it “kissing the ass.” So, for me, “libertage” with my 9 grades of education and 9 years of teaching experience is news. I googled, upgraded my vocabulary – and well, why not… Nikita Kadan told me all the details of this philosophy at the exhibition opening.

– “Libertage” is apparently related to the broader concept of “libertinage” – this is the infamous philosophy, whose ideologist and fierce apologist was de Sade. However, if we start delving into terminology, I fear we will drown. So better tell me, how do you personally feel about de Sade? Young people probably don’t know who stirred the minds (and not only) of previous generations. And in general, did he stir something in you?
– Honestly, until now I vaguely imagined him. He is not Sherlock Holmes, a real guy? (I shake my head vigorously, like, yes, there was such a person). So. And apparently he died in prison. Or was it Cagliostro? In general, they got mixed up for me, all these amorous guys. For me, de Sade is a historical jerk, vagina-dependent, who fucked a large number of girls – a rather impressive number is indicated… You can even die from that – what is that tension called? Reproductive? No, erectile exhaustion! However, he managed that number. But did he write something in prison?
– He did. A lot, which paved his way to eternity.
– Well, I haven’t read it and suspect it will be something very… weak compared to what I need in life (condescending laugh of a jaded person).
– You see, Marquis de Sade was by no means a cutie playfully spanking his passions with decorative whips. The guy zealously promoted quite harsh violence – up to full justification of various cruelties, killing victims of violence, and other not very appetizing things. His novel “120 Days of Sodom, or the School of Libertinage“ is a manifesto of sadism. By the way, he wrote it in prison on a roll of toilet paper. In fact, we owe the term “sadism” to the Marquis. (Excerpt from de Sade’s book “Justine, or The Misfortunes of Virtue”: “I am a villain of libertage. I am rich enough to do without this craft, and I do it solely to satisfy my passions; they are so strong that I can only be aroused through theft or murder – only they can ignite me. No other exercises can bring me to a state favorable for pleasure…”)
– REALLY??? (sincere amazement). “Sadism” seemed to me derived from Sodom… Then we are not on the same path. I… am tender to the point of indecency. But still, I probably won’t take on his writings – 18th-century reading will surely seem nauseating to me, having lost its sharpness.

– Well, you are tender in life. But in works – it varies. An uninitiated person “leafing through” your work could easily link de Sade’s unconventional views with the content of your drawings.
– Could. There is harshness. Yes, on a personal level we parted ways, but otherwise, maybe he would shake my hand and say I am a worthy successor of his ideas. Although my ladies are not hanging upside down on ropes… And I don’t drip molten wax on anyone. I have a different thing – grotesque. If I depict a gay, he is such that the average person’s legs would tremble. What could be scarier than a faggot? Only many faggots. Obviously, there will be a bunch of phalluses and tits with penises on one figure. In general, I mock homophobia. And the Marquis, it seems, was a serious, ideological man.
– And the visitors? Were there any angry condemning comments?
– No, everyone was very benevolent. I also showed the video “Cats Against Chinese Pederasty,” which was bought by the Polish gallery “Arsenal” (Bialystok) at one time. By the way, in Ukraine I am showing it for the second time. People took photos with their phones – my ass has teeth glued with tape, and it sings (obviously, I sing, just spreading my buttocks with my hands), the jaw clicks, people rejoice… Fun. Later they told me: “Half of Facebook is in your ass with teeth.”

– What else did you show from videos?
– A film shot in Moscow together with Sergey Bratkov – about the art market, or rather, about an artist who is successful and sellable despite the crisis, sitting in the province, getting money, and so cool that he can already draw with his foot. There were about 7 films in total.
– Have you been in the “A4, Ballpoint Pen” project from the very beginning?
– Yes, I missed only one year. The first album included a piece of the concept from my first Kyiv exhibition, organized by Viktoria Burlaka at the “Tsekh” gallery. In my text for this album, I wrote about how drawing helped me not to fuck up my head at school, listening to all those cosines, stamens, and pistils… I made quite a lot of works for Karas over 10 years – enough for a “personal” exhibition. I myself never attended openings before this year. This is the first time.
– What attracted you to this project?
– I really like the format: anyone can draw something with a pen on a sheet of paper, sometimes even unconsciously – thinking or talking on the phone. Sometimes these amateur drawings are cooler than professionals’. Every time there are real discoveries – people send wonderful drawings, find themselves in “ballpoint pen.” They don’t have names yet, but the works just take your breath away. Sometimes, a certain artist’s painting doesn’t move me, but his drawings are something else. Well, I also really like the exposition format – when works cover the walls like a continuous carpet. It’s impressive.
– Those who didn’t get to see “Libertage” in Kyiv, have they lost their chance forever?
– Not all is so bad. It will be shown in the 20s of February in Kharkiv, at the Municipal Gallery, where it will hang longer. There will also be a presentation of my album. Designed, by the way, excellently. This is a rare case when the product is “not messed up by design” – the highest praise from knowledgeable people. But the publisher, who also did their part perfectly, did not want to leave their logo – apparently something in the album’s content disturbed them.
– Do you think they didn’t dare to put such a flawlessly done work in their portfolio for moral reasons? You stepped on their sense… moral?
– Seems so. Not every publisher is ready to put brand marks near an ass with a ballpoint pen stuck in it. My poems, too – not Pushkin, let’s say. And not even Blok. Although with symbolism.
– High (Homeric laughter). The concept of metaphor is also not foreign to you. You don’t work in the field of crude realism…
– Uh-huh.
– And again about the beautiful. You had a classical duo performing appropriate music there. Did you conceive this inhuman contrast or did someone advise you?

– That was my idea. Now it’s terribly fashionable at all these party-shmarty things – to put classical musicians in the corner and let them play something. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t manage to order “Murka.” But while I was talking with guests, they packed up their music stands and… adieu. They looked good against the background of my works – these two women in evening dresses. I have, after all, partially aristocratic roots – so I am drawn to noble entertainments. What can I say, I tend to classical music. And I try not to deny myself it. I often listen to Schnittke. By the way, I wanted, if not a quartet for the exhibition, then at least blind musicians – it blows your mind when you realize they have no idea what kind of environment they have to play in. And about the girls… It’s still unknown where they performed before – in a sauna or some other shady places… But here it’s not a bar – a gallery, decent people around. All intelligent.

– Will you also delight guests with classical music in Kharkiv? Maybe invite a harpist this time… Those wonderful sounds, fluttering hands…
– That’s a topic! And let her wear a tunic. Need to work on that…
Part 2
Conversation about the secondary
We asked Stas Volyazlovsky to answer questions from the famous Marcel Proust questionnaire in record time. A kind of Posner imitation, basically.
Your most characteristic trait?
– Tenderness.
A quality you value in men?
– Friendship.
A quality you value in women? –
To talk less bullshit.
What do you value in your friends?
– Friendship.
Your main flaw?
– I can’t dive like a fish.
Your favorite pastime?
– Picking mushrooms.
Your dream of happiness?
– Doing fuck all.
Your greatest misfortune?
– When you have to do something.
What would you like to be?
– Forever young and forever drunk.
In which country would you like to live?
– In Bialystok (Poland).
Favorite color?
– Electric blue.
Favorite flower?
– Orchids.
Favorite bird?
– Peacock.
Favorite writer?
– V. Sorokin.
Favorite poet?
– Brodsky.
Favorite literary hero?
– Carlson.
Favorite literary heroine?
– Anna Karenina
Favorite composer?
– Schnittke.
Favorite artist?
– Oh fuck, there are so many!
Let it be Ilya Isupov. Despite everything.
Favorite hero from real life?
– Jack Nicholson
Favorite heroine in history?
– Mother Teresa.
Favorite name?
– Jasmina.
What do you hate most?
– When I ride a minibus instead of a taxi.
Historical figures you despise?
– Nicholas II.
What moment in military history do you value most?
– The victory of the Soviet people over fascism.
A reform you value especially highly?
– The monetary reform. A very expensive reform,
when money burned on bonds.
A skill you would like to have?
– Invisible man.
Women’s changing rooms on the beach – mine.
How would you like to die?
– In my sleep.
Your current state of mind?
– 50/50.
What vices are you indulgent to?
– There are a fuckload I don’t condemn.
Can’t count them.
Your motto?
– I have no motto. Well, I have no motto, fuck.
(Half an hour later – “Everything will pass”).
What would you say to God if you met him after death?
– I am an atheist.
Part 3

Conversation about…

 

If you are still not satisfied, the third part of the interview is answers to readers’ questions. Write in the comments a question you would like to get an answer to from the artist Volyazlovsky. And we will interrogate him and publish the answers as they come in.