Timur Novikov

Timur Novikov, one of the leading underground artists in Leningrad who was co-founder of Neo-Academism in Russian art, was disabled by blindness at the peak of his career but continued writing and lecturing about art. He was born Timur Petrovich Novikov on September 24, 1958, in Leningrad, Russia, Soviet Union (now St. Petersburg, Russia). Young Timur Novikov grew up during the Cold War, and he witnessed the stagnation of cultural and economic life in Russia under the rigid control of communists. For Timur Novikov art was an exquisite way to escape from the grim reality, just like it was for many other Russian intellectuals. His art education began from age 7 at the House of Pioneers in Leningrad and continued at the Club of Young Fine Art Lovers at the State Russian Museum (former Art Museum of the Tzar Alexander II). In 1977 he was a member of "Letopis" (Chronicles) group. In 1982 he founded "The New Artists" movement, then, in 1989, he founded "The New Academy of Fine Arts". At the same time during the 1980s Timur Novikov was employed at The State Russian Museum and enjoyed access to all of its collection as well as to the art in storage volts. In addition to such exposure Timur Novikov had a privilege of learning from the curators and the keepers of The Sate Russian Museum collections. That connection continued later, when he progressed as an artist and designer of shows. In 1990-91 he studied as an intern under Pontuce Hulten at Parisian Institute of Plastic Arts. During the 1980s and 1990s Timur Novikov was a regular participant in the "Pop Mekhanika" show under the leadership of experimental composer Sergei Kuryokhin. Novikov also collaborated with Kuryokhin on stage design for the show. Several popular rock-groups from the "Pop Mekhanika" show, such as 'Kino', collaborated with Timur Novikov in exploration of new image and sage design. In 1983-1986 Novikov founded and led an experimental rock-group "Novye Kompozitory" (aka.. The New Composers) for which he invented new musical instruments. At that time he was also involved in several film projects as an actor and artist, and eventually emerged as an innovative film designer. In 1989 Timur Novikov shared the Nika Award for his contribution to the design for the popular film 'Assa'. Timur Novikov was one of the internationally acknowledged leaders in Leningrad underground art. He was an active participant of numerous Art exhibitions outside of the Soviet Union. Timur Novikov developed his own style, his highly unique and original approach, presenting his bold avant-garde ideas in tasteful integration with refined classic-based conceptions of Neo-Academism. He also contributed to contemporary art theory by writing such books as "The New Russian Classicism" (1998), "Horizons" (2000), and "Intercontacts" (2000), which were published by The State Russian Museum. Blindness suddenly disabled Timur Novikov on ascending trajectory of his career. But he did not give up and continued working as the DIrector and lecturer at the New Academy of Fine Arts, that he founded at Pushkinskaya 10 and expanded to The State Russian Museum at Mikhaylovsky Castle. He led the underground art movement in the 1980s - 90s Leningrad (St. Petersburg) until his untimely death at age 43. Timur Novikov died of pneumonia on May 23, 2002, in St. Peterburg, Russia. The posthumous personal exhibition of Timur Novikov was held at The State Russian Museum in 2002. The artworks by Timur Novikov may be found at museums across the World.