Andrey Bartenev is an artist, sculptor, fashion designer, whose works are on display in the best foreign galleries.
Biography of Andrei Bartenev
Artist, sculptor, fashion designer Andrei Bartenev was born in Norilsk back in 1969. The boy spent his childhood in a communal apartment. Andrei himself recalls being hungry and cold. And he calls his pets his main inspiration of those times.
Bartenev received his education at the Institute of Culture in Krasnodar. After graduation, he left for Sochi, where he became a successful artist, creator of exhibitions and performances.
In the 90s, Andrei flew to Moscow by plane from Adler. He was met by Sergei Gagarin, director of the Bravo group. He not only introduced Andrey to his friends, but also told how to live in Moscow. Gagarin advised Bartenev to dress more extravagantly. Andrei quickly realized what his Sochi charm was lacking. By adding a little flea market, he easily fit into the circle of Moscow bohemia. First of all, Andrei went with his graphic works to Malaya Gruzinskaya, where the Exhibition Committee was at that time. There he was immediately accepted, and he met such people as German Vinogradov, Petliura, and many other talented artists of that time. Their first group exhibition was also held there. On the advice of his new friends, Bartenev went to the "Mars" gallery, where it all began.
Creativity of Andrey Bartenev
Andrei's first big project of that time was "Rampage on Mount Ana-Hole to the Singing of Nikitin Fish", in the framework of which he curated an exhibition of Sochi and Moscow artists. Bartenev himself danced on that project to the sounds of music with a feather from the Sochi peacock. Then, in the early 90s, all the newspapers wrote about Bartenev.
Bartenev's triumph in Europe began in 1993. There Andrei with his Botanical Ballet gets into the report of the Stern magazine. A full-page photo of Andrey, where he is all in buttons, stands in the subway with a glass flower and Andrew Logan's brooches, has spread all over the world. There was a call from the wife of Yuri Vizbor, who told Andrei that he was being invited to a festival in Frankfurt am Main. Later, Bartenev non-stop traveled to all cities in Europe, and in 1995 he ended up in London, where he lived for the next 10 years.
In the 2000s, Bartenev left large museums and galleries, and performance became his priority. His works in this genre have bypassed all the leading venues in the world.
Botanical ballet is one of the most famous performances by Bartenev, with which he received the Grand Prix in 1992 in Jurmala at the "Assembly of Untamed Fashion". He imitates a child's play of "sculpting the snow" using cardboard and papier-march.
Another equally well-known work of the master is the production of "The Snow Queen". This whimsical performance of incredible fantasy features colorful moving sculptures and objects. To the foreign public, this work reminded the work of Kandinsky.
Another sensational performance by Bartenev is called "I love you!" The audience pronounces these three words, which then, using a long row of huge speakers, located in a winding line, return to him.
Personal life
Despite his kindness, smile and friendliness, Andrei tries not to let anyone into his personal life. It is known that he has no children. And the closest person has always been my mother, who passed away several years ago.
