Yury Vasilyev-MON

Sculptor, theatrical designer, graphic artist, painter, restorer. Born in the family of Vasily Vasilyev in Moscow (1925). Visited Yevgeny Kropivnitsky’s studio (1936). Studied under Anton Chirkov and Victor Shestakov at the 1905 School of Art in Moscow (1940–42), where he was given the pseudonym MON by the other students. Studied at the Irkutsk School of Military Aviation (1942–43) and fought in the Second World War (1943–45). Continued his studies at the theatrical faculty of the 1905 School of Art (1945–47) and the Moscow Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts (1947–48). After the closure of the Moscow Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts, transferred to the painting faculty of the Vasily Surikov Institute of Art (1948–53). Joined the Union of Artists (1954). Contributed to the World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow (1957). Mentioned in Life as the leader of a new wave of radical modern artists, leading to attacks in the Soviet press (1960). Interested in Cubism and abstractionism (mid-1950s). Created a series of works similar to Pop Art – objects and assemblages including real everyday objects. One of the first to experiment with interactive works. Addressed the themes of space, modern scientific advances and ecological problems (1960s–70s). Claimed that his abstract works were inspired by nuclear physics and the space age. Died in Moscow (1990). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1948).