Name Day by Oleg Korchagin
…sounds like a non sequitur doesn’t it?
I hope I’m not one of those people who always talk about the good (and bad) old days. I am not looking back per se, and I am living a very exciting life at the moment, but I did do some really cool stuff in the past and it all seems germane somehow, to where I am at this moment in time. So gather ’round dear reader, I’m going to take you back to the art dealing days in Moscow…
Still Life with Kristall by Oleg Korchagin
A few years ago Kim and I had a thriving business called Krasnaya (it means “beautiful” and “red” in Russian). We imported post-glasnost Russian art. It was the first generation of works, painted by the talented artists the Soviets had selected to paint propaganda, who were finally allowed to paint what they wanted to paint. The results were a unique mix of military images, forbidden religious iconography, pastoral tongue-in-cheek, historical reference and the pure joy of free will.
Me across the artistic LAPS of : Sergey Agasaryn, Oleg Korchagin, Igor Agava and the poet Daniel Da…
We went to Russia, I learned to speak pidgin-Russian (enough to order water, white wine and to get us past the bouncers at clubs), and we met amazing artists who rank as some of the most interesting people I have ever met. We’ve all reconnected recently on Facebook, and I spoke with Oleg Korchagin about my favorite topic (and let’s face it, one that is near and dear to the soul of every Russia poet I have ever met…):
Alcohol and Alcoholism in Russia:
Secret Meeting by Oleg Korchagin
As it turns out, Oleg is not going to tell us tales of paper bags and park benches. He’s kind of a teetotaler. Oleg asked me to “fix” his bad English, but I just can’t do it. It does not need fixing. It is so quintessentially Russian I had to leave it as it.
What do you drink? Most of them I drink tea,water and coffee with milk. And seldom I allow myself a little white dry vine.
Do you know anyone who does not drink? Of course I know some people who does not drink. They are ex-alcoholics or they have not good health.
Jacob’s Girl
Today I’m not drinking because I’ve got the soul of a Russian poet, and I try to live a healthy life style these days…
