Zone Investigation

Zone Investigation

Amongst others, the meaning of the word “Zone” in Russian is the place of confinement, an ominous, damned place. The place which is not suitable for life.

Surprisingly, this place is inhabited.

What is more, if you were born in Zone and are not deprived of curiosity, your unique experience represents a certain interest.
Many things in Zone can excite your inquisitiveness, such as:

Physics and Metaphysics
Flora and Fauna
Sirens singing and Sphinxes howling
Sages and Prophets
Cookery Books and the History of Cultivation of Hemlock


There are some Festivals in the Zone; but the author must say that for many years he has been having the same dream: he is escaping from the Zone. We are approaching the main theme here-the theme of Escape. This, as you possibly realised by now, is the favourite, I would say the author’s fixed idea.

The Art of Escape

Many years ago, when the author was much younger, he suggested the most radical approach to the escape problem. This was the Explosion and the Great Breakthrough. As a result, everything in the Zone is to overcome Zone Gravity, from been at rest, elements will start moving randomly. Chaos is the herald of Freedom.

But with time methods and means of Escape are changing. Now the author and his heroes are preparing Escape more carefully. They are using:

Predictions
Secret Signs
Black Light and Animal Skin
Invisible Dimensions
Fig Leaves and Thorny Crowns

They are trying to avoid:

Provocations
Unexpected Visits
Mystery Meanings and Meteorite Showers
In case of failure, they are ready to go back to the Zone for another Escape Attempt.

"The Messenger"

1979 Oil on canvas 200x220cm Private collection Belgium

"The Beginning"

1981 Oil on canvas 220x200cm Norton Dodge collection of Soviet Nonconformist Art USA

"Consolation Zone"

1982 Oil on canvas 200x220cm Norton Dodge collection of Soviet Nonconformist Art USA