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The Axis Edition №1 в продаже с 12 сентября 2025 г.
In 2003, the cultural scene of Moscow acquired a new important element – the Stella Art Foundation. The Foundation quickly transformed into a significant cultural institution that is actively engaged in promoting Russian art in the international arena. The founder of the foundation, Stella Kesaeva, brought to the project not only a passion for art, but also a unique strategy that allowed Stella Art to become not just a foundation, but an important cultural bridge between Russia and the West. The foundation's creation was a response to the growing interest in Russian art and the need for a deeper and more systematic representation of it in the international arena.
Anastasia Kremleva, editor-in-chief of The Axis, spoke with Alexander Rytov, who has been the permanent CEO of the Stella Art Foundation for 20 years.
Our international activity dates back to 2003, when Stella brought to Russia the works of outstanding artists – Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselman. Subsequently, exhibitions of such stars as David Salle, Alex Katz and Robert Mapplethorpe were held in the space of the Stella Art Foundation. And in 2004, in collaboration with the State Hermitage Museum and the Guggenheim Foundation. The Foundation participated in the organization of the first exhibition of the outstanding Russian artist Ilya Kabakov after leaving for exile.
In 2005, the foundation began cooperation with Austria, which became an important stage in its development. Participation in the Days of Moscow in Vienna opened up new horizons for the foundation and led to the formation of a fruitful partnership with the Austrian curator Boris Manner, who still remains one of the key ideologists of the art strategy.
Our international activity dates back to 2003, when Stella brought to Russia the works of outstanding artists – Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselman. Subsequently, exhibitions of such stars as David Salle, Alex Katz and Robert Mapplethorpe were held in the space of the Stella Art Foundation. And in 2004, in collaboration with the State Hermitage Museum and the Guggenheim Foundation. The Foundation participated in the organization of the first exhibition of the outstanding Russian artist Ilya Kabakov after leaving for exile.
In 2005, the foundation began cooperation with Austria, which became an important stage in its development. Participation in the Days of Moscow in Vienna opened up new horizons for the foundation and led to the formation of a fruitful partnership with the Austrian curator Boris Manner, who still remains one of the key ideologists of the art strategy.
Since 2008, the Vienna Museum of Art History has hosted intervention exhibitions where Russian artists such as Igor Makarevich, Elena Yelagina, and Boris Orlov have demonstrated their work in the museum's historical halls.
A significant event in his biography was the organization of a charity auction of contemporary Russian art at Sotheby's auction house in 2006, which was attended by then-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his wife, Neine Annan. During this time, Ford actively collaborated with such iconic figures in the world of art as Robert Storr, art director of the Venice Biennale 2007, Roger Buergel, art director of Document 12, Daniel Birnbaum, art director of the Venice Biennale 2009, curator Hans Ulrich Obrist and other important participants in the international art process.
However, Vienna has become a special place for the foundation. Since 2008, the Vienna Museum of Art History has hosted intervention exhibitions where Russian artists such as Igor Makarevich, Elena Yelagina, and Boris Orlov have demonstrated their work in the museum's historical halls. These projects not only demonstrated the uniqueness of Russian art, but also became a tool for meaningful dialogue between different times and cultures.
However, Vienna has become a special place for the foundation. Since 2008, the Vienna Museum of Art History has hosted intervention exhibitions where Russian artists such as Igor Makarevich, Elena Yelagina, and Boris Orlov have demonstrated their work in the museum's historical halls. These projects not only demonstrated the uniqueness of Russian art, but also became a tool for meaningful dialogue between different times and cultures.
Appreciating the contribution of the Foundation and Stella Kesaeva personally to the development of Russian-Austrian cultural ties, Austrian President Heinz Fischer awarded Stella the Austrian Cross for her contribution to science and culture in 2011.
The foundation pays special attention to the educational and charitable aspects of its work. Since the early 2000s, the foundation has been actively supporting young artists through awards and projects such as the New Generation within the framework of the State Innovation Award.
The most significant step in recognizing the Foundation's role in the development of contemporary art in Russia and around the world was the appointment of Stella Kesaeva, the Foundation's President, as Commissioner of the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art for the period from 2011 to 2015. It was a bright and very successful stage in the Foundation's history, which requires a separate story.
A key element of the foundation's philosophy is the idea that contemporary art should be accessible to a wide audience. This approach has become the basis of many of the foundation's projects, including exhibitions and educational programs.
The foundation pays special attention to the educational and charitable aspects of its work. Since the early 2000s, the foundation has been actively supporting young artists through awards and projects such as the New Generation within the framework of the State Innovation Award.
The most significant step in recognizing the Foundation's role in the development of contemporary art in Russia and around the world was the appointment of Stella Kesaeva, the Foundation's President, as Commissioner of the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art for the period from 2011 to 2015. It was a bright and very successful stage in the Foundation's history, which requires a separate story.
A key element of the foundation's philosophy is the idea that contemporary art should be accessible to a wide audience. This approach has become the basis of many of the foundation's projects, including exhibitions and educational programs.
The question of how contemporary art interacts with popular culture also occupies an important place in the foundation's activities. Alexander emphasizes that art is evolving and going beyond the traditional canons. In his opinion, this interaction with popular culture reflects not only the change in art itself, but also its ability to adapt and respond to new challenges.
The Stella Art Foundation continues its mission despite the changed conditions. His work remains important for cultural exchange and the promotion of Russian art, and his connections with international partners and new cultural initiatives support his active presence on the world cultural scene.
The Stella Art Foundation continues its mission despite the changed conditions. His work remains important for cultural exchange and the promotion of Russian art, and his connections with international partners and new cultural initiatives support his active presence on the world cultural scene.