To support residential initiatives launched by Russian cultural actors outside of Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Reside/Sustain is initiating a collaboration with Typography Apartment in Yerevan.
As we mention in our recent interview with Marianna Kruchinski, Typography collective relocated to Yerevan after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In June 2022, they organized a residency for Russian cultural workers who oppose the regime in a rental apartment. One of the primary objectives of Typography's collective project is to create a safe space outside of Russia where artists are not obligated to create artworks or develop projects. The residency offers opportunities for artists to get to know the local context, continue personal exploration, or simply take time to rest and recuperate. It provides free accommodation and covers travel expenses. Since June 2022, over 70 cultural workers have participated in the residency.
In the context of this partnership, Reside/Sustain is supporting the travels of Lisa Tyulyubaeva and Asya Fomina, artists and activists from Arkhangelsk, to Yerevan. They also coordinate the work of a horizontal association "Pesochnitsa".
Lisa Tyulyubaeva worsk with the topics of ecology, creativity, and local identity. She actively participates in the art scene of her region. The distinctive feature of Lisa's art is the research approach she implements to represent a complex past. Her educational journey combines both music and visual arts, influencing her artistic practice. In addition to her artistic activities, Lisa also teaches history of contemporary music and practices of contemporary art, among others.
Asya Fomina works with organic materials, plants, and other natural objects. When creating artworks that do not include organic elements, she employs techniques of recycling as one of the topics central for her in her work is ecological consciousness. Asya also addresses the topics related to difficult legacy (repressions and colonization of the North of Russia), Pomor culture, personal experiences, and reflections.