Futura: Timewarp

Currently in Shanghai, preparing his Chinese solo exhibition with Magda Danysz Gallery, Futura has had a fantastically prolific year. One of the top street art legends already realized a show at Magda Danysz Paris earlier this year, he was appointed the official designer of the US national soccer team, and he teamed up with Crooks & Castles in designing a new collection of street wear dedicated to Lewds. There is another great exhibition by Futura, currently on view at Shchusev State Museum of Architecture in Moscow, through which the eclectic artist explores the passage of time via personal channels and impressions. The show is suitably entitled Timewarp, signifying the conceptual background of the artist’s series.

Time is of the Essence for Futura

Time has always had an important place in the artistic practice of Futura, his action painting is much related to the concept, in both technical or conceptual way. Having a very long career, rooted in the graffiti movement, Futura has managed to perform throughout the decades, beating the odds of time and employing novel media, while developing his style. His character does not allow him to stop, as the artist continues to pursue new technologies, expressions, tools and formats, in what emerges in his style, filled with postmodern individuality. (Futura also has a very interesting Instagram profile.)

Futura in Russia – Second Take

As mentioned before, 2014 year is special in multiple ways, not only for being successful, but also as the anniversary of Futura’s first visit to Russia in 1984, the birth year of his son, Timothy. Thirty years ago, the American street artist was photographed by Sophie Bramley in Moscow’s Red Square doing breakdance, and this scene became a symbol of a significant historical period, as it broke the cultural barrier of the ongoing Cold War. Today, Futura’s son Timothy McGurr, professional photographer, took upon himself to photograph his father in the exact same place, thus commemorating three decades and marking a great moment in the artist’s career.

Timewarp to Museum

Close to the Red Square stands the Shchusev State Museum of Architecture, where Futura opened his Moscow solo exhibition on October 14, 2014. Named Timewarp, the show portrays the loop of thirty years, emphasizing the changes brought to both Russian capital and the artist over that time. It showcases the most recent artwork of Futura, created specially for the occasion, introducing his contemporary abstraction to Moscow public.

Intense Abstraction

Prior to the exhibit, he engaged, as usual, in action painting preparations, evoking the memories of Jackson Pollock, while drawing lyrically drafted spheres and lines, built high above the foundation once set by Wassily Kandinsky. Futura’s abstraction is layered with schematic implications, which are accessible to any observer, as it is loaded with energy, woven into the canvas through both contemplative and creative processes. His paintings are, therefore, not only seen, but felt, allowing the whole body to immerse into the reminiscence and the visions of the past and the future, while Futura’s implicit progressive spirit honors what was, but continuously looks ahead.

Timewarp exhibition by Futura is on view at Shchusev State Museum of Architecture through November 4, 2014. It was organized by the host institution and BELIEF Foundation, located in the Ruins Wing of the museum.

Photos courtesy of Montana Blog, Hypebeast (Kiril Sidorov), and SSMA Moscow.

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