Consumer desire shifts towards leniency: Kirill Borodin's perspective on the outdated tale of punishing deities.
Artistry, Mystique, and Consumption: The Journey of Kirill Borodin's 'Defensor Infantilis'
Dive into the captivating world of Kirill Borodin, an artist who skillfully blends reality and fantasy to craft enchanting myths. In this article, we explore his creation, 'Defensor Infantilis,' and its remarkable impact on modern art and consumer culture.
Artists, much like dreamers, yearn to escape Earth's mundanity. Even when painting landscapes of Yekaterinburg, they conjure their own universes – perfect realms whose beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Such is Borodin's modus operandi, creating mystifications that grow more believable with each stroke of his brush.
In 2019, Borodin unveiled his most enigmatic myth yet – the 'discovery' of donkey-like artifacts and sculptures near Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast. He shared the 'exclusive' find on social media, sparking a flurry of speculations and demands for expert verification. As the 'donkeys' proliferated, Borodin transformed them into gypsum statues and exhibited them in an art gallery on Rubinstein Street in St. Petersburg. This humble beginning spawned two exhibitions that captivated the hearts and minds of many.
The allure of mystery didn't end there. The 'Defensor Infantilis', a mysterious masked dinosaur, emerged from the ashes of this first myth. Born from the global trend of creating art toys, the Defensor required careful design and construction, from its aluminum body to its separate legs, arms, and legs. Borodin drew inspiration from Chinese inflatable toy construction to create a figure reminiscent of an ancient artifact, a stern totem-protector.
The Defensor's legend grew, stubbornly clinging to the world's collective consciousness. It was 'found' on the Northern Urals in 2014, and reports of similar ancient cult sculptures began to surface from the four corners of the globe – from Crimea to Mesopotamia. Scientists restored the totem using 3D technology, and before them stood a masked dinosaur, revered by various civilizations.
The myth continued to evolve, its essence becoming both simpler and more profound. Once neither inherently good nor evil, the Defensor slowly transformed into a benevolent force, a protector of the fragile inner world of humanity or a fighter against mindlessness in the consumer society. This shift reflects society's changing values and preferences, mirroring the trend towards clear-cut heroes and villains that appeals to consumers.
The interplay of ambiguity and simplification in the Defensor's legend is a testament to its powerful resonance. It challenges the conventional notion of good and evil, forcing individuals to question their own values and beliefs. The Defensor is not only an enticing art toy but also a thought-provoking cultural symbol that keeps viewers pondering long after they've left the gallery.
Selling intangible ideas and hopes isn't exclusive to religious institutions; contemporary art centers also engage in this practice. By showcasing unique pieces and exhilarating exhibitions, museums draw a vast audience eager to engage with art and connect with the world around them. Collectors amass collections, imbuing these artworks with deeper meanings that transcend their surface-level beauties. Art has become a personal cult for many, binding the artist and the beholder together in a shared experience.
Stay tuned for more insights into Kirill Borodin's captivating works and the role of art toys in modern myth-making and consumer culture. Until then, immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of the Defensor Infantilis and ponder the mysteries it holds.
- I'm not sure if art is solely about creating tangible beauty; sometimes it delves into the realms of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, books, entertainment, and pop-culture, as seen in the enigmatic journey of Kirill Borodin's 'Defensor Infantilis'.
- The Defensor Infantilis, a fascinating art toy, has transcended its physical form to become a symbol of society's shifting values, reflecting the trend towards straightforward heroes and villains in today's fashion and pop-culture.
- The allure of Kirill Borodin's creations, such as the Defensor Infantilis, extends beyond the realm of fine art, blending seamlessly into our everyday lifestyle, including fashion-and-beauty, books, entertainment, and pop-culture, thus becoming a personal cult for many.
