"Time Forward": an art object dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the cultural venue opened in Gorky Park

On 11 August, Moskomarchitecture presented an art object dedicated to the anniversary of Gorky Park. The authors of the artistic statement selected in a closed competition were architects of Osetskaya.Salov bureau. The art object will decorate the Arch of the Main Entrance to the park from 11 August to 30 September.

Gorky Park was opened on 12 August 1928 on the site of the All-Russian Agricultural and Crafts and Industrial Exhibition, which opened in 1923 and became the predecessor of the All-Russian Exhibition of Economic Achievements. By the beginning of XX century this territory near Sparrow Hills was occupied by vegetable gardens near the Krymsky Bridge, the garden of Golitsyn hospital and Neskuchny garden. In recent decades, Gorky Park has been rightfully considered one of Moscow's main cultural venues.

The park's anniversary was an occasion to remember history, realise the present and reflect on the inevitable future in the language of contemporary art. The art object has a three-part structure and concentrates thoughts about the past, present and future in the image of the triumphant symbol of the park - the Arch of the Main Entrance.

Alexander Salov, co-founder of the bureau Osetskaya.Salov:

"The arch of the Main Entrance to Gorky Park is a symbol of the anticipation of the holiday and the wonderful mood with which people come to the park. Therefore, it was important for us to create an inviting and solemn image akin to Gorky Park. In addition, we wanted to fill this image with meaning, connection with time and space".

The history of the site and the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition located here will be reminded by 550 sheaves of meadow grasses - this past is erected on the roof in the form of a cascade of greenery. The only permanent element of the installation, the Stalinist Empire-style arch itself, through which time grows, is responsible for the present. The future is symbolised by the light installation under the arches, created together with the team of the lighting design bureau KULTURA SVETA. The 520 neon elements, ranging from 2 to 6 metres in length, are like roots and at the same time neural networks that are penetrating deeper and deeper into our everyday life. In this way, time passes through the arch, combining the value of its past, the permanence of the present, and moves forward into the best possible future.