Exhibition by the artist Klazki

«SQUIRREL JOHAN AMONG US»

Dates: 22 August – 16 September 2016

Venue: ARTPLAY Design Center, Laboratory Hall,

Nizhnyaya Syromyatnicheskaya, 10, building 3, entrance 3A, 2nd floor

First, a few words about the exhibition. The new show will present works by the young Russian artist Klazki.

Klazki is a Moscow-based artist, illustrator and designer. His practice is a blend of contemporary fine art, street culture, illustration and an unusual take on ordinary things. Once upon a time Klazki invented the character Squirrel Johan. He is a white squirrel. Johan goes about his business, rests, dreams, fools around, gets up to mischief, and sometimes feels sad.

«The subjects of my works are the everyday life of Squirrel Johan. Johan is each of us. Perhaps tomorrow I will see you on the street or in a café — and a new painting will appear».

Klazki’s works fit well into contemporary interiors and loft spaces. Alongside his beloved character, Klazki also paints on other themes.

And this is how the new exhibition was installed: 

Have a look at the photographs and read a funny verse about a squirrel (author unknown).

A squirrel has legs
And five or six toes.
Claws grow on its feet,
And between them — fur.

Below, the squirrel has a belly,
Above, it has a back,
In its mouth there is saliva,
Though it is almost unseen.

At the back the squirrel has a rear,
A tail grows out from there,
In front it has a mouth,
With which it eats compote.

«Where does the squirrel get its compote?» —
You may well ask of me.
It cooks it, of course, in a hollow
From apples and from barley.

The squirrel has many parts,
Yet many things it hasn’t got,
They say it also sings,
But I think that is rot.

If a squirrel’s nose
Rests upon your shoulder
The answer, alas, is simple —
Then the squirrel is a collar…

And if you suddenly see
A portrait that looks like you...
But your name is not Johan.
You’re at a Klazki exhibition! Hello!

See you at the exhibition!