Moscow Museum of Modern Art and the “Independent Workshops” School of Contemporary Art present “START” – a photographic project by Maria Ionova-Gribina. Maria is engaged in photography since 2000; during the last three years, she created several photographic series that were successfully shown at various exhibition venues in Moscow, among them being “The Space of Objects” (Part 1 and Part 2), “Children”, and “They Dream”.

The “START” project presents extremely simple forms that contain vibrant energy within. On the one hand, what we see is almost abstract, so we can enjoy expressive contours of a human head, noticing the typical and the individual. On the other hand, we are aware of the aesthetic and social phenomenon of the “shaved head” that means a challenge of mass standards. Start is the beginning of the brand new, it is a clean surface on which hair will grow, changing the original look and forming an infinite variety of styles. Start is vulnerability and confidence, defenseless nudity and infinity of potential options. In religious practices all over the world cut hair symbolize rebirth, purity of vision, and denial of mundane life.

Biographical note:

Maria Ionova-Gribina, photographer and artist. Graduated from Carl Fabergé Professional Lyceum of Decorative Arts #332 and took part in exhibitions of contemporary art and photography. Her works are in private collections in Russia and abroad. Since 1998, she teaches composition, painting and drawing for children and adults. In 2000, she started making photography and graduated from the Moscow Academy of Photography. In 2006-2007, she attended lectures at the “Independent Workshops” School of Contemporary Art. Maria is member of the Punctum group of photographers (http://www.punctum.ru/). Since 2008, she is member of the Russian Union of Photographers. At present, she teaches at the Moscow Academy of Photography.

Exhibitions and projects:

1993 – group exhibition at “Khodynka” Exhibition Hall (Moscow)
1997 – exhibition “Youth-97” (exhibition hall at Kuznetsky Most, Moscow)
1997 – group exhibition “Enamel: Experience in Creation” (Central House of Artists, Moscow)
1999 – exhibition “Youth-99” (exhibition hall at Kuznetsky Most, Moscow)
2000 – group exhibition “Entresol-Plus” (Central House of Artists, Moscow)
2001 – personal exhibition “Enamel. Improvisation” (Cederholm Gallery, New York)
2006 – group exhibition (Anna's Gallery, Sweden)
2007 – personal photographic project “The Space of Objects” (Rudomino Library of Foreign Literature, Moscow)
2007 – group exhibition “Space” (Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Moscow)
2007 – group exhibition of IKIS Union (Trolleholm Exhibition Hall, Sweden)
2007 – 3rd prize at “No Barriers”, the all-Russian photographic contest about life of disabled people (All-Russian Society of Disabled, Russian Union of Photographers and “PhotoUnion” Agency, Moscow)
2008 – final exhibition of prize-winners of the all-Russian photographic contest “No Barriers” (“PhotoUnion” Gallery, Moscow)
2008 – participation in the I Moscow International Biennale of Young Art (“Subjunctive Moods” project at the Residence of the Head of the European Commission to Russia, Moscow)