Popova

“We are now experiencing an exceptional era of “new birth in cosmos” as part of our consciousness.” — El Lissitzky

Proposal for the monument to El Lissitzky in Novosibirsk, Russia

We offer the project “Red Tower”—the monument to be built on Kalinin Square.

The “Red Tower” is a collective image of Lissitzky’s ideas, a combination of “flying or taking architecture off the ground” and a square, one of the main symbols of Suprematism.

This construction is an addition to the plaza, which is one of the “central” urban intersections in Novosibirsk. It organizes the center space and hovers above the fountain (which already exists in this location). The surface of the fountain would be tiled in red to complete the red circle, an abstract symbol of central movement in Constructivism. The square opening, facing the sky, suggests the movement of the square upward in reference to Lessitzky’s ideas about “flight of architecture” and importance of connection to cosmos.

The tower would be made out of steel to sustain the wind, and colored in red.

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“ Мы сейчас переживаем исключительную эпоху вхождения в наше сознание нового рождения в космосе.” — Эл Лисицкий

Мы предлагаем проект “Красная башня”. Памятник предполагается построить на площади Калинина.

“Красная башня” — это собирательный образ идей Лисицкого, соединение
“полета или отрыва архитектуры от земли” и квадрата, одного из основных символа Супрематизма.

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The inner sides of the walls would have a following quote by Lessitzky:

“ Мы начинаем ощущать новый мир, как реальное свершающееся действие. Мы верим, что элементы химической формулы нашего творчества: проблема, изобретение и искусство — соответствуют требованиям этой эпохи. Может быть, элемент искусства расширится за счет проблематики и изобретательства... Техническая наша оснащенность признана Европами и Америками. Время нальет нас энергией для больших свершений.”

1920 EL

See the full presentation board

Light, Sound Installation & Audio/Visual Performance
Proposal for the Illuminus 2018

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” — Abraham Lincoln

I grew up in the former Soviet Union with its “unbreakable” giant stone monuments to its grandiose totalitarian leaders…so permanent until one day everything collapsed.

History repeats itself, and in our times with a pompous leader starts reminding of something long gone in the past.

Trump’s sincere admiration for totalitarian leadership inspired this project, which is my tribute to Soviet Propaganda art.

In the middle of the plaza, there is a sound of a marching band, warming up and preparing for a parade. They are setting up, talking, tuning, fixing their gear and uniforms. In the middle, some workers are setting up some large plastic sheeting with a light inside.

Once everyone is ready, the music starts — the famous Star Spangled Banner! As the sound starts, the plastic in the middle filled with light starts growing larger and taller inflating with air. It makes crackling noises, merging with the sound of the song. Once the plastic form is big enough, the spectators realize that it is a giant figure.

Finally, in the inflatable plastic sculpture, we recognize our leader, Mr. Trump. It reminds us of a monument to Socialist leaders. It is 40’ high and emits light.

Somewhere in the middle of the process, the Star Spangled Banner melody starts falling apart. The sound becomes more and more dissonant until finally we barely recognize the initial melody.

Once the “monument” is complete, the marching band stops and screams: “Urra! (Horray)” — the exclamation of joy, so common in military parades.

After the scream, the whole scene freezes for 2 minutes.
As 2 minutes expire, the giant “Trump” explodes, creating terrible noise.

Pop!

Music by John Cushing

Performers:
John Cushing
Trombone

Eric Stilwell
Trombone

Daniel Sagastume
Baritone saxophone

Cale Israel
Trombone

Caleb
Snare drum